ATLANTA — Loved ones and friends spoke volumes of an Atlanta makeup artist and weight loss star's impact on the world after learning of her passing.
Brandi Mallory passed away on Nov. 9. She was only 40 years old. Although she has transitioned, her loved ones believe the impression she made on the world will live on. Several friends said she was a "real light" in the world.
"Brandi was the epitome of love and light," CJ Washington, a close friend, said. " Everyone who encountered her experienced her love and light. She shinned bright in everything she did."
Mallory was on ABC's "Extreme Weight Loss," where she completed the Ironman challenge, a fitness challenge where she completed 70 miles of activities in eight hours in 2014, according to a People Magazine report.
Nyssa Green, a makeup artist with her own agency, worked with Mallory on the show. Shortly after the show, Green took Mallory on as a makeup artist on her team, where she would work with 11Alive for two years.
Green said she was not only talented in makeup but also a positive, down-to-earth person.
"Brandi had a different outlook on life. And she just wasn't a down person. She wouldn't let anyone around her be down either. She was by far the best makeup artist I've trained," Green said.
Not only was Mallory most notably known for her time on "Extreme Weight Loss," but she also danced her way through her weight loss journey with the fitness program Dance Your Pounds Off, inspiring many. Dwight Holt, the owner of the fitness program, said it all started with a video of her dancing that went viral, leading to her massive following on Instagram and more people falling in love with her.
"She just gave a lot of people confidence that they can move, be free and beautiful," Holt said.
Loved ones also described how she uplifted members of the plus-size community just by being herself.
"She broke stereotypes about women of curves and represented the plus size community through mentoring young women, competing in pageants, and being an ambassador for Dance Your Pounds Off," Washington said.
Mallory was also a Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority member. She would often bring her sorority sisters to dance with her and encourage them to have a good time.
"She was very big on bringing people together and just being a better version of yourself," said Holt.
Her loved ones praised the devotion and love she had for her family. She was even the primary caretaker for her parents for years, according to her close friend.
"She didn't let anything get in her way," Green said. "Nothing was gonna stop her. She was gonna go for what she wanted and love you all the way along the way while she is."
Several other people on social media reacted to her death, including popular Atlanta radio personality Big Tigger.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mallory's Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. soror commented under Big Tigger's post, saying, "I'm so sorry to hear this. Brandi was a beautiful, kind, and talented woman."
Nzinga Imani, a BET Sistas actress and internet personality, also took to Instagram to reflect on Mallory's impact. She said, "Truly a light to everyone she touched. I’m grateful I got the chance to tell her how incredible she was to me, but sad we didn’t get more time together."
A public viewing will be available on Sunday, Nov. 19, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Lithonia.
Her Celebration of Life will be on Monday. Her Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. sorority sisters will hold an Omega Omega service at 11 a.m., followed by her funeral service at noon. The funeral service will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She will then be buried at the Melwood Cemetery.
Friends ask for community members to keep her family and those close to her in their thoughts.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said they are still waiting to determine her cause of death.
