Giovonnie Samuels’ Hollywood memories are starting to feel more like memorials.
In 2026, the former Nickelodeon actress has been forced to say goodbye to four women connected to her years as a young star. Three died within weeks of one another. Among them was Carla Jeffery, who understood the weight of being a Black teenager on television.
The latest loss happened while Samuels, 40, was still processing the deaths of two friends.
Fellow “All That” alum Christy Knowings and Samuels’ “Bring It On: All or Nothing” co-star Hayden Panettiere passed away in the same week.
The back-to-back deaths left fans wondering how much heartbreak one person could carry in a single year.
The painful streak began on Jan. 16, when former “All That” cast member Kianna Underwood was killed in a hit-and-run in Brooklyn. She was 33.
Underwood joined the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series after Samuels departed, making the women franchise colleagues rather than direct co-stars.
Months later, Knowings died on Aug. 11 at age 46. Her death certificate listed cardiac arrest caused by acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus. Asthma was identified as the underlying cause.
Giovonnie Samuels, who starred on ‘All That’ and ‘Bring It On: All or Nothing’ reacts to losing both Christy Knowings and Hayden Panettiere in one week.
— MR. POP (@MrPopOfficial) August 18, 2026
pic.twitter.com/ieA79mr3NL
Five days later, Panettiere died at 36. Her official cause and manner of death remain pending.
Then came another name Samuels never expected to add to the heartbreaking list.
Disney Channel star Carla Jeffery, best known for playing Bree in the “Zombies” franchise, died on Sept. 1 at only 33.
“I lost another one… @carlajjeffery #RIP,” Samuels wrote on Instagram while sharing photos of her friend.
Jeffery was more than another familiar face from Hollywood’s child-star universe.
She was Samuels’ friend and a memorable guest on “The Tokens Podcast,” where both Black actresses discussed surviving an industry that often celebrates diversity in press releases while placing the burden of representation on a lone Black actress on set.
Carla Jeffery talking about how she was an inspiration for young black girls when ZOMBIES came out 🖤
— Disney ZOMBIES 5: Secrets of the Sea (@ZombiesDCOM) September 3, 2026
🎥: Giovonnie Samuels pic.twitter.com/9CVg5JPRI9
Jeffery appeared in all three “Zombies” movies and later voiced Bree in “Zombies: The Re-Animated Series.” Her résumé also included appearances on “Southland,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “American Vandal,” as well as the movie “Phat Girlz.”
Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, according to Page Six. Jeffery’s family also pushed back against online speculation that drugs contributed to her death.
During her candid conversation with Samuels, Jeffery spoke about being assigned two familiar Hollywood labels at once.
“I’m the token Black girl, and I’m the big Black girl,” Jeffery said. “I can show it just for all my Black girls, but also for the thick ones.”
Samuels praised Jeffery for giving young Black girls a chance to see themselves in Disney’s candy-colored world. Jeffery admitted she never imagined that viewers would consider her an inspiration.
Because their relationship was so public, fans quickly surrounded Samuels with support on social media.
“You’ve lost too many friends this year. You don’t deserve all of this heartbreak,” one Instagram user wrote. Another added, “I’m so sorry. Sending love your way.” “It’s so heartbreaking,” a third person said.
“You need a big hug, you have been going through a lot these past few weeks,” another follower observed.
One commenter counted the devastating losses: “Kianna, Christy, Hayden and now Carla, all four of those women you worked with or had some connection to, all too young to leave this world so soon, I feel so sad for you Giovannie.”
The prayers continued on Facebook.
“Praying for your strength, I know that these losses are hitting way too close to each other. Respect,” one supporter wrote.
“Sorry for your loss, it’s been a rough year,” another added.
After Jeffrey’s passing, her twin brother, Carlon, shared a screenshot of his final text message with his sister on his Instagram Stories, according to People.
“Hey sis, call me back when you get this,” Carlon wrote on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “I was just calling to see how your day went! I love you to the moon and back, sis.”
Amid online speculation regarding her sudden passing, Jeffery’s family forcefully denied rumors that narcotics were involved, telling TMZ, “She did not do drugs.”
Jeffery’s relatives confirmed that she died in her California home with no foul play or police involvement, adding that the case remains pending with the coroner while they await official autopsy results to determine the cause of death.
Samuels knows children’s TV can hide a harsh reality. She once revealed that streaming residuals paid her only a few dollars, while she lost SAG health insurance and worked multiple jobs.
Nickelodeon gave Samuels a national platform, but 2026 has given her something far more painful: four reminders of the friends she made along the way, and now another goodbye she never saw coming.
