Lady Gaga is in need of your thoughts, prayers and condolences.
The singer’s long-time best friend, Sonja Durham, died on Friday after having been diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer.
Durham’s husband, Andre, confirmed the sad news yesterday afternoon, saying his wife passed away “peacefully and beautifully” in their home.
Durham served for a number of years as Lady Gaga’s assistant and executive director.
She played a major role in the singer’s life, both personally and professionally, as their relationship inspired Gaga’s single “Grigio Girls.”
This bonus track is featured on the deluxe edition of Joanne, which came out in October of 2016.
You should go listen to it if you can. It’s beautiful, with lyrics talking about how Gaga and her friends would get together and share deep cries over Durham.
Earlier this year, Durham accompanied Lady Gaga to the Super Bowl for her halftime performance; while Gaga dedicated an acoustic version of “Edge of Glory” to Durham, at Coachella several weeks later.
“My friend Sonja is very sick and I love her so much, and if it’s okay with you, I’d like to sing this song for her,” the star told the crowd upon doing so.
On Thursday, meanwhile, Gaga posted the above photo on Instagram and wrote the heartfelt message below as a caption.
Watching one of my best friends in the world show unfathomable courage, strength, and positivity while battling cancer has really changed my life.
Thank you Sonja for inspiring me and all of us everyday with your joy. I love you so much it brings tears to my eyes just to think of all the years we’ve spent together backstage running the show, taking care of each other.
You are one of a kind. I’m so proud of you.
And you and Andre, your unbreakable beautiful love is what life is all about. You can see it in this photo.
Wanted to share this with the world and show them what true beauty looks like. #grigiogirls #sonjadurham @sonjad7777 I love you girl. I love you so much.
Lady Gaga, who had previously suffered from breast cancer, referred to Durham as her “guardian angel” in an earlier blog post.
Following Sonja’s passing, the hashtah #RIPSonja started to trend on Twitter.
Durham had been close friends with Gaga for about eight years. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and in recent months it had spread to her lungs and brain.
Of “Grigio Girls,” Gaga told fans in attendance at Coachella in April:
‘We were writing it because we were laying around one night and all the girls had gotten together, but Sonja wasn’t there because sometimes we needed to get together without her, because we didn’t want her to see us cry.
“So we formed this pact with each other that, when we needed to, we’d call together the Grigio Girls and cry it out.”
May Sonja Durham rest in peace.
We send our condolences to her friends, family members and loved ones.