‘LIVED A FULL LIFE’ Beauty queen, 22, dies less than year after rare cancer diagnosis as family pay tribute to ‘courageous battle’
A FORMER Miss North Carolina has died aged 22 following a “courageous battle” with cancer, her devastated family has confirmed.
Carrie Everett, crowned the beauty pageant winner in 2024, tragically passed away on Sunday less than a year after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease.
The Miss North Carolina champion won the annual event while she was still a full-time student at university.
The model was diagnosed with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma just one year after her win – a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
The beauty queen said when she was diagnosed in 2025: “This is happening for a reason, and God has allowed me to use my voice to give a voice to others.”
After undergoing chemotherapy, her loved ones said on March 21 that the treatment was not working.
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Everett, a devout Christian, died on Easter Sunday, just 15 days after her family‘s announcement.
She passed away in Seattle surrounded by friends and family.
The glamorous star was also a singer – and had been expected to graduate from North Carolina Central University with a degree in vocal performance in 2027.
Her heartbroken family said: “The cries of her heart became songs that stirred the spirits of everyone who had the pleasure of hearing her sing.
“She lived a full life, and with her last words, on stage and in life, she proclaimed the goodness of God. Her impact on this world is undeniable, and we will carry on her legacy of advocacy and praise.”
Everett was also committed to her own “We Need Equity To Build Communities” initiative, which aims to fight systemic societal barriers to let more young women join the Miss America community.
She had always been transparent in highlighting the rising costs of entering the pageant beyond the entry fee.
Everett reportedly entered the Miss North Carolina contest in 2024 with just £30 in her pocket.
After winning the competition, she declared in her victory speech that her community who “surrounded and backed [her]” were the main factors in her success.
She was also the first student of a historically black college or university (HBCU) to be crowned Miss North Carolina.
University Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon said: “Carrie will be remembered as a trailblazer who shared her inspirational talent and leadership with so many.
“As a sophomore in 2024, she became the first current HBCU student to be named Miss North Carolina.
“Her platform, We Need Equity to Build Communities, sought to make pageants more accessible to young people. Her work to recruit young women who may not consider pageants due to the expensive entry fees and wardrobes was commendable.
“Carrie selected NCCU because of the university’s music program – she enjoyed singing gospel music – and regularly graced NCCU occasions with her beautiful singing voice.
“Her ambition, grace, tenacity and talent will be deeply missed.”
A GoFundMe organised by her family has received a flurry of donations even after the beauty queen’s death.
The fundraiser reached over £52,000 on Monday.
