Makeup artist, social media influencer and YouTube star Ethan Peters, known as Ethan Is Supreme, has died at the age of 17.
Peters’ father, Gerald Peters, confirmed his son’s death to Fox News on Sunday afternoon.
The elder Peters, who found his son in his bedroom at around 11 a.m., told the network he is certain the cause of death is a drug overdose even though no official ruling has been released.
“The cancel culture we find ourself [sic.] in weighed heavy on his heart. He wanted nothing but to inspire, make people laugh and push the boundaries of what is acceptable in our world for all young people,” Gerald Peters told Fox News. “He was kind soul, who accepted everyone for who they were.”
Ethan Peters’ best friend and fellow Instagram star, Ava Louiise, noted his struggles with addiction on social media and has been posting resources for those struggling with substance abuse, Entertainment Tonight reported.
According to People, Peters launched his YouTube career April 24, 2017. By 2019, he accumulated more than half a million Instagram followers and more than 140,000 YouTube subscribers.
Prior to breaking into the beauty world, Peters ran a successful meme account (Betch) which he grew to 1.3 million followers before selling it for $25,000 at just 13 years old, People reported.