Cat Janice, the NoVA-area singer who went viral for dedicating her last song, Dance You Outta My Head, to her son while in hospice, died at the age of 31, her family announced on Instagram on Wednesday.
“This morning, from her childhood home and surrounded by her loving family, Catherine peacefully entered the light and love of her heavenly creator,” the post said.
Janice, born Catherine Ipsan, was diagnosed in March 2022 with sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer. While fighting the disease, the singer released the pop tune Dance You Outta My Head on January 19, the day before her 31st birthday. The proceeds from the song would benefit her 7-year-old son, Loren.
“I want to leave behind smiles, grooves, and joy for you and I know this is the right song for that,” Janice said in a Facebook post on January 5.
The song soon went viral — it appeared in over 2.4 million videos on TikTok. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard TikTok Top 50 chart and appeared on Billboard Hot Dance/Electric Digital Song Sales chart.
Janice was in hospice care in her childhood home in Annandale when she died on Wednesday morning, The Washington Post reported. She was surrounded by her family.
“We are eternally thankful for the outpouring of love that Catherine and our family have received over the past few months,” said the Instagram post from her family. “Cat saw her music go places she never expected and rests in the peace of knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through her music. This would not have been possible without all of you.”
Janice’s brother will manage operations of her Instagram account, music, and merchandise.
More of her music may be released in the future. “Per Cat’s request, there is some more art that she wants to share too. All in due time,” the post read.
Feature image of Cat Janice by Skylar Watkins
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