Celebrity Hairstylist Graham Nation D.i.e.s ‘Suddenly’ at 39
The celebrity hairstylist, whose cause of death is still under investigation, collaborated with high-profile clients, including Demi Moore, Simone Ashley, and Venus Williams.
Graham Nation passed away on February 14, at the age of 39. As per the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, he died at a gym in Los Angeles.
The police have a case open as they gather additional information on the circumstances of his death. Just days before his passing, Nation was excited about a career milestone. He got the chance to style Catherine O’Hara’s hair for her Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial.
In a February 10 Instagram post, he celebrated the milestone, “My first ever Super Bowl commercial!.What an absolute blast to work on, Thank you Cathrine O’Hara for having me apart of this epic commercial.”
Throughout his flourishing career, Nation built an impressive portfolio, working with high-profile clients such as Demi Moore, Alix Earle, Jared Leto, Simone Ashley, Venus Williams, and Emma Chamberlain. He styled Moore for the Yves Saint Laurent show in Paris in 2022.
Nation also styled Jared Leto, when he attended the 3rd Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in December 2023.
Beyond styling, he was also a respected educator and ambassador for brands like SexyHair and Fekkai. His artistry was recognized in top publications, including British Vogue, W, Elle, Marie Claire, InStyle, and Wonderland. The hairstylist was represented by The Wall Group.
Behind the Chair, the largest community in the world for salon professionals has mourned him, saying, “Graham was a one-of-a-kind soul who impacted every single person he met. We are honored to have been part of his journey and to have helped him share his artistry with the world.”
This community is heartbroken by his loss and will miss Nation. Its founder and creative director Mary Rector also shared, “Graham was one of the kindest, most gentle souls in this business! His talent was unmistakable, his ego was illegible and his time with us unforgettable.”
Aside from his professional life, Nation, whose real name was Graham Cheek is survived by his partner Tonya Brewer. On May 19, 2024, the couple shared their excitement as they announced they were expecting their first child in an adorable video.
Standing on a staircase adorned with green leaves, Nation lovingly kissed Brewer’s pregnant belly before wrapping his arms around her from behind, both beaming at the camera. Brewer captioned the video, “We made a baby.”
A few months later, on August 10, 2024, they joyfully revealed the arrival of their son, Romeo West. Nation marked the special moment with a heartfelt photo of himself cradling their newborn close to his chest.
Now, friends have come together to create a GoFundMe after Nation’s sudden death. They wrote, “With the deepest sorrow, we suddenly lost our beloved Graham on Friday, February 14. Graham’s passing came completely unexpected. The family is left bereft and bewildered and is in a state of tragic shock and sorrow.”
The funds raised will go to Brewer and West, who is only six months old, to support them through this devastating tragedy. As of the time of publication, the crowdfunding had raised $171,735 of its $175,000 goal.
Aside from the fundraising, his friends have only positive words to say about Nation. They called his work ethic “unparalleled” and noted how he and Brewer “shared moral values to create and build a legacy for their beautiful budding family.”
“This was without a doubt Graham’s ambition. As Graham continues to be a ray of light and inspiration, we will continue to keep his legacy alive for his son Romeo,” the friends promised.
Therefore, Nation’s friends emphasized that their desire is to ease Brewer and West’s financial burdens that come with the difficult journey of healing.
They also wanted to ensure that she feels supported and uplifted by those who care for her, as well as by a broader community rallying around her son and honoring Nation’s memory.
The friends noted, “With the utmost respect, we honor Graham’s family, The Cheek family, who raised him to be the wonderful son, brother, and friend we have all known and loved.”
Nation’s friend also sent their condolences to the Brewer family, saying that the dad of one had given their daughter the utmost joy of her life in creating their beautiful baby, West.
The way his friends have come together reflects their deep love for Nation, ensuring that his memory does not fade with his passing but instead lives on through his partner, daughter, and the impact he left on their lives.