The star, Sariah Saibu, who resided in Perth, passed away on January 30. Her relatives have confirmed the tragic news online.
On January 30, Sariah, who starred in the Beautiful They short film, which won an award in 2021, passed away.
The star, Sariah Saibu, who resided in Perth, passed away on January 30. Her relatives have confirmed the tragic news online.
On January 30, Sariah, who starred in the Beautiful They short film, which won an award in 2021, passed away.
The performer was described as radiating "love and light" and, as one distraught relative wrote, "may her radiant soul continue to shine."
"I am struggling to find the words to express the grief that I and her family are feeling at this time."
She wrote:
"RIP beautiful – all our love always."
For Saibu's funeral, a fundraising page was created, praising the actress as "the Queen, the Karaoke King, the Star, and the Icon."
The money raised will go toward paying for two memorial services for the actress to honor her life.
"The Princess of not only Perth, but Darwin. The protaganist of our lives and gem of our hearts.
"Sariah made everlasting impressions on her community, which has been felt and greatly appreciated by her family and closest friends."
In the movie Beautiful They, shown at the Tribeca Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival, Saibu played Violet. She starred alongside Australian actor Morgan Davies, who played the character Blue.
A coming-of-age LGBTQI surf romance that examines the subtleties of gender, the flick was directed by Cloudy Rhodes.
The project received a nomination for Best Short Form Drama from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) in 2021. It also won the Australian Director's Guild award for Best Direction of a Short Film in the same year.
The movie won two awards the following year: Best Australian Short Film for the City of Melbourne and Best Film at Queer Screen Mardi Gras 2022.
Additionally, Saibu did modeling and appeared as a backup dancer in music videos, such as San Cisco's SloMo from 2017 and Catlips' Silver Smoke from 2015.
Both a service at Kidogo Art House Fremantle on February 15 and a ceremony at Garramilla in Darwin will be held to bid farewell to Saibu.
Friends of the late actress and model have flocked to social media in tribute to this "kind" and "bubbly" person who fostered friendships in Darwin and Perth.
Due to the overwhelming support for Saibu's family from well-wishers online, the GoFundMe page has raised more money than its initial goal.
Before February 15, when the actor's memorial service will be held, the fundraiser is expected to end.
So far, the funds stand at $6,379, as of the time of writing. This has exceeded the $5,000 initial target.
May the soul of Sariah Saibu find peace, and we pray for the family during this difficult time.