Christina Grimmie: Four years later, her legacy still sings

Four years ago, The Voice star Christina Grimmie was murdered at a concert venue in Orlando. Here’s how her legacy has been honored since.

Christina Grimmie was signing autographs and taking selfies that fateful Friday night.

A man with multiple weapons waited for his turn to meet the YouTube sensation.

Her arms were wide open, having no idea of his fatal intention.

The gunman fired three shots at point-blank range, hitting Grimmie in the head and chest.

Her brother Marcus “Mark” Grimmie tackled the gunman and got the weapon away. During the struggle, the assailant furnished gun that he would turn only on himself. Christina was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Just before 2 a.m. ET on June 11, Orlando PD confirmed that Christina had succumbed to her injuries.

Christina Grimmie’s sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the world. Countless condolences poured in from celebrities of all statuses, but new headlines were abounding in Orlando.

Less than 24 hours later (and four miles down the street), another act of senseless gun violence would occur. The PULSE nightclub massacre claimed the lives of 49 victims in the early morning hours of June 12. It was, at the time, the #1 deadliest mass shooting in American history.

In response to the barrage of horrific events, CNN wrote:

"“What’s long been billed as one of the happiest places on earth is now an epicenter of tragedy and grief.”"

Adam Levine: The Voice Coach Is ‘Absolutely Devastated’

A few days after Christina’s death, Mark shared a touching update with his Facebook following.

“I found out this morning, that Adam Levine personally called my mother and said he will pay for the funeral and her plane flight, and I was blown away,” Mark wrote at the time.

Levine, the famed frontman of Maroon 5, was Christina’s mentor/coach on NBC’s The Voice. Grimmie was a semi-finalist, finishing in third place during its sixth season (in 2014).

Selena Gomez: Touring Partner, Almost Sister

By the next morning, Selena Gomez was already missing her friend.

Gomez’s parents, Brian and Mandy Teefey, discovered Grimmie as she was rising to fame on YouTube. They signed her to a management deal, and the young star would later join their daughter on tour — three times.

Grimmie served as an opening act on the 2010-2011 “A Year Without Rain Tour” and the 2011-2012 “We Own the Night Tour,” both of which supported “Selena Gomez & The Scene.”

Their final go-round together was in support of Gomez’s first solo album, 2013’s “Stars Dance Tour.”

Before Levine’s generous offer, Brian Teefey opened a GoFundMe page to help offset the Grimmie family’s upcoming costs. His original goal was to raise $4,000.

The former manager of Christina Grimmie was distraught in his description: “Words cannot begin to describe the pain I am feeling.”

“I learned this business through the eyes of a father and Christina was like a second daughter to me,” Teefey said.

“All I wanted to do was assist her in achieving her musical dreams while protecting her from the pitfalls associated with the business. I never could have imagined this horrific event being one of the pitfalls needing to be avoided.”

Teefey continued the tough message, describing his love for the entire Grimmie unit. Mark and his parents, mom Tina Grimmie and dad Albert “Bud” Grimmie, “made the ultimate family sacrifice to support Christina on her musical journey.”

“They did nothing but love her and support her as family the best they knew how, the only worry I want them to have at this point is that of recovery.”

Teefey’s $4,000 goal following the Friday tragedy seemed modest. By early Monday morning, the campaign had topped more than $160,000.

In 2011, Christina told Seventeen she felt “so blessed” to have the Selena and the Teefeys in her life.

“They’re literally like a family — Selena has been so encouraging ever since we got hooked up. It’s crazy! It’s very much a fairy tale,” she said at the time.

Ironically and eerily, Gomez was also playing a June 10 concert in Orlando. She kept her booking in Miami the next night but canceled the pre-show meet and greet.

Gomez broke down into tears on stage while speaking about the night-before horror: “When she was 14, we met her, and my parents and I signed her…”

She sat at the piano, adjusted her mic, and gave it another go.

“One thing about Christina and her family is that she holds her faith so closely to her. And I think it’s not about a religion and it’s not about anything or good deeds.”

“It’s just that she had faith, and I don’t really understand how this really happened, but I would like to dedicate this next song to her.”

Gomez performed a cover of Hillsong Worship’s”Transfiguration” before transitioning into her own 2016 hit “Nobody.“  She kept trying but couldn’t make it to the end.

She wasn’t alone. The near-sold out crowd of over 11,000 people kept on cheering, even when Gomez had to leave the stage early.

"“My heart is absolutely broken.  I miss you Christina”– Selena Gomez via Twitter (June 11, 2016)"

Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato: Praying Together, Heartbroken Together

Gomez’s fellow Disney alum Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato were preparing for their joint “Future Now Tour” when they caught wind of Grimmie’s grave condition.

Both took to Twitter first, joining thousands of others that were praying for a miracle. Lovato would later return with an updated hashtag once Grimmie’s death had been confirmed.

Jonas shared a snap of happier times to his Instagram account, one alongside his forever-smiling friend Christina Grimmie.

Keep reading to see how others stars paid tribute, and how Christina Grimmie’s legacy is thriving today.

Christina Grimmie Was Hard at Work Ahead of Her Death

Grimmie left behind millions of fans, but she also left them some almost-finished projects. Most were completed and released within the next year.

The four music videos accompanying her February 2016 “Side A” EP were released in consecutive weeks across August and September. She would also make her first film appearance, starring in the December 2016 romantic comedy “The Matchbreaker.”

Grimmie’s posthumous EP “Side B”  was released in April 2017.  She announced the title herself, but would never hear the finished product.

It’s bittersweet, but “Side B” saw her achieve a major musical goal.

Grimmie was an independent artist, meaning she didn’t have the benefit of a record label funding her albums. She’d essentially have to reinvest her own money back into work.

In March 2015, Grimmie explained she had a “six-month fling” with Island Records, but it ended amicably.

“Island signed then called it quits on me because there were so many big artists,” Grimmie told the UK’s Daily Record.  “They didn’t want to shelf me, so they let me go do my thing.”

She still desired to be signed by a major record label after parting ways with Island.

Her wish came true in 2017. “Side B” was distributed through Universal Music’s Republic Records, which is home to Taylor Swift, Hailee Steinfeld, Ariana Grande, and many more. Grimmie’s third and final full-length album “All Is Vanity” was released under Republic as well.

The family has released various one-off singles since then too, including 2019’s “Hold Your Head Up.” (via ZXL Music).

Looking Ahead: Christina’s Grimmie’s Legacy Is ‘Hope and Inspiration’

Christina and her mother Tina had a very special relationship.  Tina had battled breast cancer on and off since the 1990s and had a relapse after Christina’s death in 2016.

Tina Grimmie passed away on September 2, 2018.

Her obituary points out that she “quickly became known as ‘Mama Grimmie’ to her daughter’s fans.”

“And after the loss of Christina in 2016, she dedicated herself to helping others who were walking through the same challenges she had faced. She co-founded the Christina Grimmie Foundation with her family in 2017.”

The Christina Grimmie Foundation: Ongoing Support

The Christina Grimmie Foundation exists first to assist “families of gun violence victims so that they can focus their energy on rebuilding their lives.”

Second, they help “build a community of support for breast cancer patients and their families, the way Christina supported her mother, Tina Grimmie.”

The foundation is not a hands-off call center, but an ongoing support network.  They are “committed to working directly with impacted families to pass on the love and support that Christina’s family received when faced with the shock of losing their precious daughter.”

Since forming in 2017, The Christina Grimmie Foundation has provided its “Green Hearts” (clientele) with $100,000 of financial support and countless hours in other services.

Four Years Later, Orlando Remembers Christina Grimmie

Sheriff John Mina served as Orlando’s Police Chief when Christina Grimmie was murdered.  He’s made it a point to wear green each year in honor of her favorite color.

The Plaza Live, where Grimmie sang her last note, updated its outdoor marquee to mark the solemn anniversary. Fans visited the venue in small groups throughout Wednesday, laying flowers, candles, and merchandise underneath an alcove.

Conditions in Orlando appeared overcast. A glimmer of sunshine seemed to peek in later — a fitting tone for the city as they remembered a rising star who never got the chance to shine again.