A former contestant from “Dancing with the Stars” recently opened up about the shock and heartache he felt upon learning of a colleague’s unexpected death. Season 28 DWTS finalist Kenan Thompson told E! News he “didn’t understand” what he was reading as he learned of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death.
As the New York Post reported on February 26, Trachtenberg died at the age of 39. Both Trachtenberg and Thompson did projects on Nickelodeon early in their careers.
Thompson spoke highly of Trachtenberg, telling E! News, “She’s loved. I just hope that there’s no more pain now.”
Kenan Thompson Wishes He Could Have Been of Support to Michelle Trachtenberg Before Her Death
Thompson shared that he learned of Trachtenberg’s death via a text message from his business partner, Johnny Ryan Jr. When he saw the text, “It was such a shock… I didn’t understand what the headline was,” he explained.
He continued, “I just saw her picture, and it was like, ‘Pass away.’ Those are the two words that I saw and I was like, ‘That’s not right. Why would that be the case?'”
The DWTS alum told E! News he wished he could have supported Trachtenberg if she were struggling before her death. As the media outlet noted, her family chose not to have an autopsy so her cause of death is undetermined.
“If she was suffering, it would have been nice to have been one of the people that might have been able to ease some of that suffering. Anything like that. If she needed a shoulder or an extra ear,” Thompson shared.
Thompson Considered Trachtenberg ‘a Friend’
Shortly after learning of Trachtenberg’s death, Thompson posted about the loss on his Instagram page.
As Us Weekly noted, the clip Thompson shared in his Instagram post was from the 1999 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. She was a “commentator” during a “competition” between Thompson and Randy “Macho Man” Savage in a skit included in the broadcast.
In the caption of his post, Thompson wrote, “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! 🙏🏾 Check on your people!!! ❤️”
Fans and colleagues commented on Thompson’s post with memories and condolences.
“This breaks my heart. I did a movie with this sweet when she was little,” wrote “Saturday Night Live” alum Cheri Oteri.
Comedian Leslie Jones shared, “Awwww man I loved her! So sorry Kenan!”
A supporter wrote, “Sorry for your loss man. She was such a great actor & heard nothing but sweet things about her.”
