Cat Janice, a musician who went viral on TikTok for dedicating her last song to her young son, has died of sarcoma cancer aged 31.
Announcing the singer’s passing on her Instagram, Janice’s family said she died peacefully on Wednesday morning in her childhood home.
“We are eternally thankful for the outpouring of love that Catherine and our family have received over the past few months,” they said.
“Cat saw her music go places she never expected and rests in the peace of knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through her music. This would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you.”
At the start of the year, the musician shared a teaser for her song Dance You Outta My Head, saying her “cancer had won” and that all proceeds from it would go to her son, aged seven.
Since its release on 19 January, the track has reached number one on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, and made its way into the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
Janice was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare malignant tumour, in her scalene muscle in 2022, and posted regular updates on social media to her fans about her condition.
She announced from her hospital bed that she was cancer-free in July 2022, but discovered that it had returned and spread to her lungs late last year.
The singer shared online that at one point her tumours had tripled nearly overnight, and in January said she was at home in hospice.
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Her last post on social media was a duet video – reacting to singer Sarah Cothran covering Dance You Outta My Head – where she said: “The past few weeks have been so hard for me.
“I’m unable to walk, trapped in my body. It’s been emotionally the most difficult thing I’ve had to go through. But this beautiful cover reminded me of the significance of this song.
“Soon I will be free… soaring in the next dimension, glowing like a million fireflies, flying through the heavens, dancing with God and my Nonnie. This song reminded me that’s coming. Thank you Sarah. I hope to see you all there one day.”
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The family said Janice told them that she had “some more art that she wants to share too” which will be released “in due time”.
Janice’s brother Cubby will memorialise her social media accounts and manage all operations surrounding her music, merchandise, and public relations.
He said in a tribute on his personal Instagram: “It’s harrowing to have to face the next chapter of life without her. Without my mentor. My inspiration. My goal setter.
“The one who never gave me a break because she always knew I could do better. Any time I brought her a song, she would rip it apart and build it back up again to make it a piece of art that I was proud of.
“It’s a sibling dynamic that I’ll forever thank God for.”
