Esthen:Emily Gold, teen dancer on 'America's Got Talent,' dead at 17

2025-05-06 06:48:42source:LibertyCoincategory:News

Editor’s note: This article discusses suicide. If you or Esthensomeone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Emily Gold, a teen dancer who was featured on the latest season of "America's Got Talent," has died. She was 17.

A young woman was found dead on State Route 210 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on Friday, Officer Rodrigo Jiménez of the California Highway Patrol confirmed to USA TODAY in a press release Monday. CHP officers were called to respond to a report of a "pedestrian down in lanes."

"A 17-year-old female of Rancho Cucamonga was struck by at least one vehicle within the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane of eastbound SR-210 freeway," the release states. "The female succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene."

Tito Jackson dies:Jackson 5 co-founder and brother of Michael Jackson was 70

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez confirmed Gold's identity to USA TODAY in an email. Her death is being treated as suicide.

Additional details on Gold's death are being investigated by CHP. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer S. Gonzalez at (909)-980-3449.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for "America’s Got Talent" for comment.

Emily Gold wows on 'America's Got Talent' with dance troupe

Gold competed on Season 19 of "AGT" as a member of the Los Osos High School dance troupe. The group made a splash during the audition round with a lively routine set to the Usher hits "OMG" and "Yeah!"

While they received mixed reactions from the judges, the dancers were praised by Simon Cowell for their "absolutely brilliant" performance.

The Los Osos troupe advanced to the "AGT" quarterfinals. While the group was ultimately eliminated, Cowell gave the group props for stepping up its act.

"I don't know anything about dance," Cowell said. "However, that to me was an event."

Read more about life, health and culture: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.

James Earl Jones dies:Acclaimed 'Field of Dreams' actor and voice of Darth Vader was 93

A GoFundMe page has been set up in Gold’s honor to assist the dancer's family with expenses. As of publication, the online fundraiser has collected over $27,000.

More:News

Recommend

Vatican release pictures of Pope Francis' tomb, as it opens for public viewing

LONDON and ROME -- The Vatican released photos of the tomb of Pope Francis, who was buried on Saturd

Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Syrian military official who oversaw a prison where alleged human rights

Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX’s Starbase site into a Texas city

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceXis launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. B