Kailia Posey, Star Of 'Toddlers And Tiaras' And 'Excited Little Girl' Meme, Dead By Suicide At Age 16

Sixteen-year-old former Toddlers and Tiaras star Kailia Posey, perhaps best known online as the "Grinning Girl" or "Excited Little Girl" meme, was found dead in Birch Bay State Park, Washington on Monday afternoon of an apparent suicide.

A tragic development in the death of 16-year-old Kailia Posey. https://t.co/cs4shjJnKa

— TMZ (@TMZ) May 4, 2022

TMZ broke the story on Monday night after Posey's mother made a post to Facebook. In the post, she writes, "I don't have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever."

Kailia appeared on season five of the TLC series Toddlers And Tiaras in 2012 where she won over the heart of the internet with a scene where she smiles wide, pushing down her head to make a double chin. The image quickly spread online, inspiring a photoshop battle on Reddit months after the episode aired and becoming a reaction GIF across social media in the years that followed.

TMZ provided further details of her death later Monday night, revealing that Posey took her own life. Her mother told TMZ, "Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life."

Before her death, Posey wanted to continue her work in the entertainment industry and pursue a commercial pilot's license. In recent years, she continued to take part in pageants, including the Ultimate Dream Queen pageant in April 2021 and Miss Washington Teen USA in January. Her family set up a fundraiser at the Whatcom Community Foundation website, which will go towards supporting students in crisis.

If you need support or are dealing with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website or call 1-800-273-8255.