Tori Spelling and countless stars from the beauty and entertainment worlds are mourning the loss of celebrity hairstylist and reality TV favorite Kim Vō.
Spelling, 52, shared a heartfelt message after news broke that Kim had died following a long battle with cancer. Writing to his husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, on Instagram on Saturday, January 24, Spelling said, “I’m so sorry, he was such an amazing human. Filled with such light and love.”
Adeel previously announced that Kim had “taken his final breath” after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018. In an emotional post, he detailed the years-long fight Kim endured with remarkable strength and optimism.
“Kim fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations,” Adeel wrote, crediting Dr. Lawrence Piro and his teams at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. “Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home.”
In lieu of flowers, Kim asked that supporters honor his memory by donating to the Kim Vō Foundation, which helps hair, beauty, and fashion creatives who are also battling cancer.
“He kindly requested that love be channeled into supporting others walking this path,” Adeel shared.
A follow-up statement highlighted Kim’s extraordinary career, including his work with major beauty brands like L’Oréal and Schwarzkopf, which cemented his status as an icon in the industry.
“He was beloved not only by family and friends, but by the global hair community and millions who came to know him for both his artistry and his warmth,” Adeel said. “Kim had a rare ability to make everyone feel seen, welcomed, and at home.”
At the heart of Kim’s work was his philosophy of “approachable luxury,” described as beauty and glamour without barriers, exclusion, or pretense.
According to Adeel, one of Kim’s final wishes was to continue helping others, even after his diagnosis.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky,” Kim said in a statement shared after his passing. “I’ve experienced love, happiness, and meaningful relationships on and off screen. I don’t need anything more, but I do want to use the platform, knowledge, and success I’ve worked so hard for to help others.”
“That is the meaning of life,” he added. “That is the meaning of my life.”
Adeel vowed to carry on that mission, continuing to rally support for creatives fighting cancer through the foundation.
“This is the legacy Kim and I are committed to building,” he wrote. “We love you, we are here for you, and we will fight for you.”
Kim was widely known to TV audiences as a judge on Bravo’s Shear Genius, which aired from 2007 to 2010. He also worked behind the scenes on shows like Extreme Makeover and Plain Jane, and more recently appeared on Paramount+’s Blowing LA, which followed his work at the Kim Vo Salon in West Hollywood.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from clients, friends, and fans.
“I will never forget his kindness and how special I felt when I walked into those salon doors,” wrote Emmy-nominated producer Ashley Hammen. “May he fly high with the angels.”
TV host and influencer XiXi Yang also shared a deeply personal memory, recalling how Kim transformed not just her hair, but her confidence and career.
“I remember looking in the mirror and almost crying,” she wrote. “I was seeing myself differently for the first time. That moment changed the trajectory of my life.”