UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that Natalie Desselle-Reid’s cause of death is colon cancer, a battle she kept private. Halle Berry has also tweeted about the news, writing, “I’m in total shock…completely heartbroken. gonna need a minute. #RIP.”

I’m in total shock… completely heartbroken. gonna need a minute. #RIP @NatalieDesselle pic.twitter.com/Amt2k2ZYM7

— Halle Berry (@halleberry) December 7, 2020

Original article reads as follows…

Natalie Desselle-Reid, best known for her roles in B.A.P.S, How to Be a Player, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Eve, has died at the age of 53. The news was confirmed on social media by Desselle-Reid’s Instagram account, her manager, Dolores Robinson, and actress (and Robinson’s daughter) Holly Robinson Peete.

“It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning,” states her Instagram. “She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife. Her diverse career touched so many and she will be loved forever.”

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A post shared by Natalie Desselle Reid (@nataliedessellereid)

“Natalie Desselle the beautiful talented actress passed away this morning,” wrote Robinson on Twitter. “Natalie was a bright light. She was an amazing actress and comedienne but also an awesome mother & wife. Sending prayers to her family. I had the pleasure of managing her career.”

Natalie Desselle the beautiful talented actress passed away this morning.
Natalie was a bright light. She was an amazing actress and comedienne but also an awesome mother & wife.
Sending prayers to her family.
I had the pleasure of managing her career.

— DoloresRobinson (@DoloresRobinson) December 7, 2020

Robinson Peete wrote on her Twitter account that she was “absolutely decimated” by the news of Desselle-Reid’s passing.

“Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her.” she wrote.

“She will be so missed…sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl.”

Just absolutely decimated by this news…
Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her.
She will be so missed…sending out prayers to her children and husband.
????????????????
Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl???????? pic.twitter.com/BsyltHxKRG

— Holly Robinson Peete???????? (@hollyrpeete) December 7, 2020

Days before Desselle-Reid’s passing, her B.A.P.S. co-star Halle Berry coincidentally posted a behind-the-scenes video from the film with her and Desselle-Reid talking about shooting the film’s Rodeo Drive shopping montage.

Let’s find Tiffany. ???? #TBT #NatalieDesselleReid #BAPS pic.twitter.com/BtEVfbKRXo

— Halle Berry (@halleberry) December 3, 2020

This news is still developing.

Photo: Getty Images

Natalie Desselle-Reid

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