America’s Got Talent star Emily Gold, 17, dies weeks after appearing on show

America's Got Talent cheerleader Emily Gold before her death
Emily Gold appeared on America’s Got Talent with her dance troupe (Picture: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

America’s Got Talent star Emily Gold has died aged 17 weeks after reaching the quarterfinals.

Gold auditioned for the reality show in May with her dance troupe Los Osos High School and progressed through to the next stage of the competition.

Last month, the group performed multiple routines during the NBC programme’s quarterfinals and received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell.

Gold was found dead under a bridge on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga just before midnight on Friday, the Daily Mail reports.

The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office is treating her death as a suspected suicide, according to its death register.

In a statement to People, California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said that ‘officers from the California Highway Patrol Rancho Cucamonga area responded to a pedestrian down in lanes.

‘When the officers arrived, they located a female, 17 year old, who was struck by at least one other vehicle in the carpool lane on eastbound 210.

‘The female did succumb to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.’

A GoFundMe page has since been launched to support Gold’s family and pay for any expenses. It has raised $25,952 (£19,636) of its $50,000 (£37,831) target at the time of writing.

Gold’s loved ones have paid tribute to her on social media, among them her friend Mia Bustamante who described her as ‘such a light in my life’ on Instagram.

America's Got Talent star Emily Gold wearing a tiara at a varsity dance
Her friend described her as ‘such a light in my life’ (Picture: Instagram)

Mia wrote: ‘My beautiful Goldie, words cannot describe how much I love you. Thinking of being without you breaks my heart. You will be so so missed beyond words.

‘You have a way of making everyday so much brighter and brought smiles to everyone’s faces. You are such a light in my life and will be forever. You brought me the most beautiful form of love I could ask for.

‘My best friend, my forever dance sister. I love you infinitely my Emmy.’

Before being eliminated from America’s Got Talent in August, Simon toldLos Osos High School: ‘It was absolutely brilliant.

America's Got Talent star Emily Gold, a senior at Los Osos High School, performing a cheer routine at a game before her death
Gold was remembered as ‘making every day so much brighter’ (Picture: GoFundMe)

‘What I loved about this was first of all the energy. I think what I just saw is everything a great school should be doing, which is encouraging talent and friendship.’

He added: ‘It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking every kid should go to a school like that.’

Speaking previously to People, Gold said of her time on the show: ‘When I’m performing, I’m really thinking about all the corrections because we get corrections up until five minutes before we go on stage.

‘So to really just think about all those so that we apply them is my biggest priority on stage.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted America’s Got Talent, San Bernardino Coroner’s Office and the California Highway Patrol for comment.

Need support?

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on , email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS, the Prevention of Young Suicide UK.

Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: [email protected].

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