Tori Spelling has led tributes following the death of celebrity hairstylist and former Blowing LA reality star Kim Vō.
“I’m so sorry, he was such an amazing human. Filled with such light and love,” Spelling, 52, wrote to Kim’s husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, via Instagram on Saturday, January 24.
Adeel previously shared the news that the stylist had “taken his final breath” after originally being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018.
“[Kim] fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro and his incredible team at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai,” Adeel wrote. “Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home.”
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Adeel continued, “Kim kindly requested in lieu of flowers & other tokens of condolences after his passing, to please channel your love & efforts towards donations for Kim Vō Foundation in support of hair, beauty, and fashion creatives also affected by cancer.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Kim’s representative for comment.
A follow-up statement from Adeel touted the late stylist’s work with major brands such as L’Oréal and Schwarzkopf, which made him a “true icon in the hair and beauty industry,” his husband noted.
“He was beloved not only by his family and friends, but by the global hair community and millions of viewers who came to know him for both his artistry and his warmth,” Adeel explained. “Kim had a rare ability to make everyone feel seen, welcomed, and at home. His guiding philosophy of ‘approachable luxury’ was central to everything he did. Beauty and glamour without pretense, barriers, or exclusion.”
According to the memorial post, one of Kim’s “last wishes” was to “continue helping others” even after his cancer diagnosis.
Hairstylist Kim Vo in March 2016. Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Montage Beverly Hills
The statement read, “[Kim] chose to focus on gratitude and purpose, ‘I’ve been incredibly lucky. I’ve experienced love, happiness, and meaningful relationships on and off screen. I don’t need anything more, but I do want to use the platform, knowledge, and success I’ve worked so hard for to help others. Everything I’ve been blessed with also belongs to the communities that have made me who I am. I want my life to be celebrated with joy, positivity, and now, health-first vigilance,’ he said. ‘That is the meaning of life. That is the meaning of my life.’”
Adeel promised to continue rallying support for the “hair, beauty, and fashion creatives fighting cancer” on behalf of the Kim Vō Foundation.
“This is the legacy Kim and I are committed to building with your support,” Adeel concluded. “We love you, we are here for you, and we will fight for you.”
Kim was perhaps best known for judging the Bravo hairstyling competition Shear Genius alongside model Camila Alves and fellow celebrity stylist Jonathan Antin. Shear Genius aired on Bravo for three seasons between 2007 and 2010.
Aside from his on-camera work for Shear Genius, Kim worked behind the scenes of reality shows Extreme Makeover and Plain Jane. He had more recently appeared on Paramount+’s celebrity hairstylist docuseries Blowing LA, which followed him on the job at his trendy Kim Vo Salon in West Hollywood.
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Many of Kim’s clients, friends and family paid tribute to his influential work via Instagram following the announcement of his death.
“I will never forget his kindness and how special I felt when I walked in those salon doors. May he fly high with the angels,” Emmy-nominated producer Ashley Hammen wrote. “I feel so lucky to have known him and am sending prayers for healing to all the hearts who loved him.”
TV host and influencer XiXi Yang added, “Kim, you changed my life. I still remember walking into your beautiful salon at the Montage in Beverly Hills in 2012. I’d had fuzzy black hair for so long, but I was craving change. I wanted something lighter, something more lively that reflected my personality. You saw it before I could say it. You took me lighter, added layers, and somehow… everything changed for me.”
“I remember looking into the mirror after the color and cut, and almost crying,” Yang, 36, went on. “I was seeing myself differently, for the first time. That moment changed the trajectory of my life and my career. You’ve been family ever since. Thank you for all the love, care, belief, and magic you’ve poured into me over the years.”
