Ryan Reynolds is celebrating the life of Bella Brave.
The actor, 47, described the social media star, who died at age 10 on Sunday, July 14, as “razor sharp” and “charming” in a touching tribute on Monday, July 15, after previously meeting Bella in hospital in 2023.
“Bella was so funny and so charming,” Reynolds wrote on his Instagram Stories about the TikTok star, otherwise known as Bella Thomson. “I loved meeting her and I’m so deeply sad to hear this news.”
“She had a razor-sharp wit and took zero s— from anyone. Particularly me. Deepest condolences to her family and the staff at @sickkidsvs who cared for her in every way possible,” he added, tagging Toronto’s SickKids hospital where Bella stayed up until her death.
Bella died “peacefully” on Sunday, July 14, her mother Kyla Thomson confirmed on TikTok the following day. Her death came days after she was placed in a medically induced coma following complications from a lung infection.
“Our brave girl left her legacy here on earth to dance on streets of gold July 14th 2024 at 4:19 p.m. ET,” Kyla wrote. “Bella passed peacefully in our arms. Please keep her name on your lips, her memories alive and her bravery in your hearts.”
Bella rose to viral fame for her spunky personality as her parents Kyla and Lyle documented her dealing with multiple health challenges, including the rare bowel illness Hirschsprung’s disease and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
KylaCT Bella Brave/Tiktok
On Dec. 7, 2023, her mom Kyla revealed that Reynolds met Bella in the hospital two weeks after she had a bowel transplant in August 2023. She also shared a sweet video of the pair chatting, with Reynolds kneeling beside Bella in her hospital bed.
“How you doing?” Reynolds asked in the clip as Bella replied, “Good.”
The Deadpool star explained to Bella that he just shot the Sick Kids Foundation Christmas Sweater Campaign downstairs in the hospital. He then asked Bella about her transplant, “And how did it go?” to which she replied, smiling, “Good.”
“It’s sure nice meeting you,” Reynolds said. ‘I”m really glad that I got to come and say hello — I’m going to leave this with you as well,” he added, holding up an ‘ugly sweater’ from his campaign for Bella. “Because I know you’re dying to wear an ugly sweater like that one.”
KylaCT Bella Brave/Tiktok
“I’m not dying to wear it,” Bella joked. “I know you’re not,” agreed Reynolds.
“It was the sweetest conversation. Like 2 old friends bonding over their hate for a super ugly Christmas sweaters. 😂,” Kyla wrote of the meeting on TikTok.
“Ryan, thank you for all you do for @SickKids Foundation and in turn for Bella. Thank you for including us in your Christmas Sweater Campaign and simply taking the time to have the sweetest, most hilarious chat with my daughter. You’re an amazing human,” she added at the time.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support Bella’s family.
