Friends and fans remember the star on social media.
Gerren Taylor, best known for BET’s reality series Baldwin Hills, has died at age 30. Taylor was pronounced dead on Sunday, April 11, Deadline reported on April 12.
Born Ashley Taylor Gerren, the Los Angeles native had her breakthrough appearance as one of the original cast members of Baldwin Hills, which aired on the BET network from 2007 until 2009. She appeared on all three seasons of the show. Taylor went on to star in the documentary film America the Beautiful. According to IMDb, she also appeared in an episode of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in 2003 and is credited as a production manager on 2020’s Dare Package game show.
Aside from TV, Taylor also had a successful career as a model, having walked for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Jeremy Scott, and more. Per E!, she was the youngest model to sign with L.A. Models’ runaway division at age 12. Her Instagram bio describes her as an entrepreneur and lists Hush Dollz LLC, Miyoko’s Closet, and a Poochie Not Gucci, a still-to-launch pet boutique, as her ventures.
As originally reported by Essence magazine, Taylor was initially believed to have passed away in her sleep, but the cause of her death has yet to be confirmed.
“The entire BET family mourns the passing of one of our own, Ms. Ashley Gerren Taylor, beloved star of Baldwin Hills. The untimely passing of such a young, bright light is difficult to process. BET’s thoughts and prayers go out to Ashley’s friends and family during this time,” BET wrote in a statement shared with Entertainment Tonight. The network also mourned Taylor on its social channels.
Love & Hip Hop’s Ray Cunningham, better know as Misster Ray, also took to social media to mourn Taylor. “Just got the worst news ever and I’m still not processing it fully. I’ve known [Gerren] since 2006, the #BaldwinHills cast was like the little sisters and brothers to #CollegeHill. I was sneaking her into parties with me. She was one of the first people to reach out to me when I shared my alopecia diagnosis and she shared [hers] with me. I [love] u. You will be missed. BET fam. Rest well love,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a video of the two. “We love u Gerren. Together today for unfortunate circumstances but my BET family is forever,” he added in a second post. He also echoed the sentiments on Twitter.
Friends and fans have also taken to the last photo Taylor had posted on her Instagram account, dated March 29, to leave comments for the late star. Per TV Line, Taylor is survived by her 7-year-old daughter.