Content Warning: This article contains details about gun violence and loss that some readers may find distressing. If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, support and resources are available through the Christina Grimmie Foundation.
Ten years is a long time, but for those who loved Christina Grimmie, it still feels impossibly recent. On 10 June 2026, the Grimmie family and her best friend Lauren Longo marked a decade since the singer’s death by sharing a personal collection of never-before-seen photos, giving fans a rare and intimate look at the girl behind the voice. Here is everything the family shared and why this anniversary means so much.
Who Was Christina Grimmie?
Christina Grimmie was a 22-year-old pop singer, YouTube personality, and former contestant on The Voice who built a loyal global following before her life was tragically cut short. She grew up in New Jersey, started playing piano at age 10 entirely by ear, and began posting cover videos on YouTube at just 15 years old at the encouragement of her childhood best friend, Lauren Longo.
Her father, Albert, described her as a “pioneer” on YouTube, noting that she reached the world from her bedroom and inspired fans to cut their hair like her, sing like her, and play keyboard like her. Some of her most popular videos included covers of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” and Nelly’s “Just a Dream.”
On 10 June 2016, Grimmie had just finished performing a concert at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida, alongside her friends in Before You Exit. During a post-show meet-and-greet, a 27-year-old man named Kevin Loibl approached her, produced a handgun, and shot her. Her brother Marcus tackled Loibl, and during the struggle, Loibl shot and killed himself. Christina Grimmie died as a result of her injuries. She was 22 years old.
The tragedy unfolded just over a day before the Pulse nightclub shooting, also in Orlando, making that week one of the darkest in the city’s history.
What Did the Family Share on the 10th Anniversary?
The Grimmie family and Lauren Longo shared a personal photo album exclusively with Us Weekly to mark the milestone. The collection offered fans an intimate look at Christina’s life away from the spotlight.
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Credit: Lauren Longo / US Weekly
Photo / Memory
Detail
Theater kid
Christina acted as a child in New Jersey
Piano beginnings
Started playing at age 10, learned entirely by ear
YouTube origins
Longo encouraged her to start posting videos in 2009, aged 15
Family bond
Christina once joked her family was “stupidly close”
Faith
Deeply religious but accepting and open
Meeting her idol
Got to meet her favourite artist, Christina Aguilera, after finding fame
Home recordings
Used a microphone and 8-track recorder to make music at home
Albert told Us Weekly that he still watches old videos of Christina online and remembers her as funny, warm, and deeply loved by those around her.
Longo, who was there from the very beginning, summed up Christina’s lasting legacy simply: “Her talent and the way she treated people.”
Alongside the family photos, a brand new documentary titled Christina Grimmie: Her Voice and Legacy a Decade Later also released on 10 June 2026 on Christina’s official YouTube channel. The 37-minute film features interviews with family members and loved ones, expanding on her story and celebrating everything she stood for.
Marcus Grimmie shared a statement alongside the release, saying his sister was his best friend and the most fearless person he ever knew. He reflected that the continued outpouring of love from the community still fills him up. He also noted that Christina would have been both embarrassed by the attention and secretly overjoyed by every bit of it.
“She didn’t just sing for you,” Marcus said. “She sang with you.”
The Christina Grimmie Foundation
Following Christina’s death, her father Albert, her late mother Tina, and brother Marcus co-founded the Christina Grimmie Foundation in 2016. The organisation supports families impacted by gun violence and continues to operate in her name.
In connection with the 10th anniversary, the Foundation launched a 10 for Ten fundraising campaign, with every dollar raised going directly towards families affected by gun violence.
Sadly, Christina’s mother Tina passed away in September 2018 after losing her battle with breast cancer at the age of 59, meaning Albert and Marcus have carried the Foundation’s mission forward without her.
Albert is also currently writing a memoir titled Steady Love, which focuses on the losses the family has endured and his enduring faith throughout.
Christina’s Journey to The Voice
Christina began posting YouTube videos in 2009 at age 15 and quickly built an audience that extended far beyond what most young artists could dream of. Her best friend Longo recalled recognising early on that Christina was “abnormally talented.”
In 2013, Christina brought Longo along with her when she auditioned for The Voice, which helped bring her music to an even wider audience. She had also dreamed of meeting Christina Aguilera, and that wish eventually came true after she rose to fame. However, Aguilera was not a coach during Christina’s season of the show.
Ten years on, Christina Grimmie’s story remains one of pop culture’s most heartbreaking what-ifs. However, her family has worked hard to ensure that she is remembered for her talent, her warmth, and her impact rather than only the circumstances of her death.
“We want Christina to be remembered for the person and artist she was, not just the tragedy,” her father Albert said.
Credit: Grimmie Family / US Weekly
Fans can watch the anniversary documentary on Christina Grimmie’s official YouTube channel and support the Christina Grimmie Foundation’s 10 for Ten campaign directly through the Foundation.
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