Shannon Tavarez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shannon Tavarez
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| Born |
Shannon Skye Tavarez
January 20, 1999 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | November 1, 2010 (aged 11) New Hyde Park, New York, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Acute myeloid leukemia |
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| Years active | 2005–2010 |
Shannon Skye Tavarez (born January 20, 1999 – died November 1, 2010) was a talented American child actress and singer. She was best known for playing the role of young Nala in the famous The Lion King musical on Broadway. Broadway is a special area in New York City known for its many theaters and big stage shows.
Early Life and Career
Shannon Tavarez grew up in Bellerose, Queens, a part of New York City. She was a very bright student and loved to learn. Shannon also studied singing and piano at the Harlem School of the Arts. This school helps young people develop their talents in music and art.
Shannon got her big break when she auditioned for The Lion King. She went to a large audition called a "cattle call" at the Apollo Theater. This is where many people try out for a role at the same time. Shannon was chosen to be one of two girls who shared the role of young Nala. Each girl performed in four shows every week. Her first performance was in September 2009.
Shannon's Illness and Support
A few months after starting her role in The Lion King, Shannon had to leave the show. She was diagnosed with a serious illness called acute myeloid leukemia. This is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
To get better, Shannon needed a bone marrow transplant. Finding a matching donor can be very hard. Because of her African-American and Dominican background, it was even more difficult to find a perfect match for Shannon.
Many famous people and her friends helped to find a donor. Singers like Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and 50 Cent asked their fans to get tested to see if they could be a match. Shannon's co-stars from The Lion King also helped. They sold special "Shine for Shannon" key chains and bracelets. The money they raised helped Shannon's mother pay for her medical care.
Her Final Days
Eventually, doctors found a partial bone marrow donor match for Shannon. She also had an umbilical cord transplant after receiving chemotherapy. Sadly, Shannon passed away on November 1, 2010. She was only 11 years old. She died at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.
To honor her memory, the lights at the Minskoff Theatre were dimmed. This is the theater where The Lion King was playing. Her funeral was held at the Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York.
After Shannon's passing, her mother started the Shannon's S.H.A.R.E Foundation. This foundation helps other children who need bone marrow transplants. Shannon's mother shared that "Shannon's dream was to perform on stage, and that she did."
