Bravo's Andy Cohen held back tears as he honored late Watch What Happens Live staff member Kyra Samson, 28, who passed away June 23 following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
Andy Cohen broke down in tears during the June 25 episode of Watch What Happens Live while sharing heartbreaking news that one of the show’s staff had died.
"Before we go tonight, I have some devastating news to share from our Watch What Happens Live family," a visibly emotional Andy said at the end of the show. "This is hard for me to get through, but, on Tuesday night, our beloved former production manager Kyra Samson passed away from brain cancer. She was only 28."
The 58-year-old remembered his late coworker's hard work on the front lines of pop culture fandom.
"During her four wonderful years with us, Kyra was known for her sweet smile and gentle demeanor," Andy continued, "but she could also be a small but mighty enforcer. To see Kyra on a bullhorn corralling massive crowds at BravoCon was truly a sight to behold."
Speaking on behalf of his fellow Bravo teammates, the dad of Ben, 7, and Lucy, 4, noted, "She’s gonna be terribly missed by all of us here. And, no doubt, by everyone who was lucky enough to know her."
Andy also encouraged viewers to help other patients facing the same form of aggressive cancer.
Tonight we are honoring an incomparable part of the #WWHL team. Visit https://t.co/6ZwmL4cuce to donate to the Kyra fund. pic.twitter.com/u90YIbbnQ1
"I hope you’ll join us in honoring her legacy by donating to the Kyra Fund, which will help provide urgently needed research for people with glioblastomas," he shared, "and hopefully help future Kyras out there."
Andy concluded by sending "all of our prayers and love to her family and her friends. We love you, Kyra."
Kyra's father David Samson, the former Miami Marlins team president, shared the news of her passing.
"Yesterday, my daughter, Kyra, passed away peacefully after a 9 month and 11 day fight against one of the cruelest diseases I’ve ever seen up close," he wrote on X June 24. "Kyra was a 28-year-old young woman who loved deeply and who is impossible to describe in 280 characters. While her life got stolen from her, she handled these months with courage, poise and resolve. And all I want is for no family to feel what we feel today. For no young person to suffer the way she did."
