People from the entertainment world and beyond are reacting to the death of well-known hip-hop journalist and “This Is Us” writer Jas Waters, also known as JasFly. She passed away at age 39 in her Hollywood home.
News of Waters’ death was confirmed by talent company Rain Management Group on Wednesday, June 10. People magazine revealed on the following day that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office listed her death as a hanging and said it was a suicide.
“It is with extremely heavy hearts that all of us at RMG mourn the life of our client & friend, Jas Waters,” the statement read. “Jas was a talented & gifted writer, an amazing person, & a sweet soul who will be forever missed. Though she is no longer with us, her impact will be felt for years to come.”
Born Jasmine Waters in Evanston, Illinois, Waters graduated from Evanston Township High School before getting a degree from Columbia College Chicago.
She began her own entertainment blog called FlyStyleLife.com, then scored her own column at VIBE magazine, where she interviewed people like Jay-Z, Drake, Will Packer and Warren Buffett, according to her LinkedIn page.
Waters was also one of the stars in 2013 on VH1’s reality series “The Gossip Game” about seven female journalists in New York City who covered urban news.
She eventually changed gears and worked in film production and television development on projects such as “Barbershop” and “Barbershop 2: Back In Business.”
In addition, Waters produced videos for Sean “Diddy” Combs, and directed music videos for artists such as BJ The Chicago Kid.
She wrote for Jim Carrey’s show “Kidding” on Showtime, VH1’s “The Breaks,” and NBC-TV’s “This Is Us.”
“The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing,” read a Twitter message from the show’s writing team. “In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP @JasFly.”
Others like SZA sent a message about Waters and wrote, “Thank you for your time here and honest perfectly put words. rest in Love queen.”
Issa Rae tweeted, I‘ll never forget being so excited to get an interview w/ @JasFly for Necole Bitchie back when I was working on ABG. I could feel her warmth through the phone. Over the years, I got to know & appreciate her even more. She was so generous, beautiful and REAL. I’ll miss you, girl.”
