Emily Gold, a talented dancer and cheerleader from Los Osos High School who recently captivated audiences on America’s Got Talent (AGT), has tragically passed away at the age of 17. The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office confirmed her death by suicide on Friday, September 13, at 11:52 p.m.
California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Rodrigo Jimenez provided further details about the incident. According to Jimenez, “Officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a report of a pedestrian down in lanes.” When they arrived, they discovered the 17-year-old girl had been struck by a vehicle while in the carpool lane on the eastbound 210 freeway. “The female succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene,” Jimenez added. Authorities are requesting that any witnesses or individuals with relevant information contact Officer S. Gonzalez, who is leading the investigation.
Emily Gold gained national recognition just a few weeks prior for her high-energy performance with the Los Osos High School dance team on America’s Got Talent. The team made it through the audition rounds and advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated in August. Despite their elimination, they received a standing ovation from the show’s notoriously tough judge, Simon Cowell.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Cowell remarked after their performance. “What I loved most was the energy. It showcased everything a great school should promote—encouraging talent and friendship.” He even compared their performance to High School Musical, adding, “It reminded me of watching that movie and thinking every kid should attend a school like this.”
Just one month earlier, on August 13, Gold shared her experience with PEOPLE. She discussed the hard work that went into preparing for such a major stage, saying, “When I’m performing, I’m constantly thinking about all the corrections we’ve received, even up until five minutes before going on stage. It’s my biggest focus while performing, making sure we apply all of them.”
Balancing high school life with the demands of competing on a national television show was no easy feat. Emily acknowledged this, explaining, “It’s definitely tough to balance everything, but we make it happen.”
Following the heartbreaking news of her passing, friends, family, and members of her community quickly organized a GoFundMe campaign to help support Emily’s family. “With great sadness, we share that our Los Osos Grizzly Emily Gold has passed away,” the fundraiser read. “As a community, let’s come together to support the Gold family in this difficult time. All funds raised will go directly to the family to assist with expenses.”
Emily’s death has left her family, friends, and fans mourning the loss of a bright young talent who had so much more to offer. Her memory will be cherished by those who knew her, and her performances will continue to inspire.
