My Chemical Romance mourn the death of manager Lauren Valencia
She had been battling cancer
Last updated 12th Aug 2021
My Chemical Romance have paid tribute to their manager Lauren Valencia, who has sadly died from cancer.
Valencia had worked as an artist manager at influential imprint Roc Nation over the past seven years where she had guided the career of Canadian singer Grimes. Prior to that she managed My Chemical Romance.
In a poignant tribute, former My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way wrote on Instagram: “Dear Lauren, you were a light that kept me going when times were really hard. You were there for every show, every shuttle ride, every early morning flight and lobby call, every walk around a city and every moment that I struggled with being on a long and sometimes hard to process journey.”
He continued: “But more than what you did for others, you were incredible and vibrant and funny and wonderful. You were my friend, but you will always be my sister. The world is dimmer today, but I will always have your light to get me through. Your family is my family and I will miss you terribly. I will think of you every day, and every time I get on a stage you will be with me. I will love you forever.”
Frank Iero thanked Valencia for keeping My Chemical Romance together towards the end of band.
He wrote: “Damnit, I just got the news… and although I knew it was coming, I am completely heartbroken. Lauren Valencia was one of the kindest most hardworking people I have ever had the honour of working with. She is probably (definitely) the only reason anything got done in the last years of mychem, and she absolutely kept us sane for way longer than we could have on our own.
“She was smart and driven, beautiful and generous. She made me laugh and I was in awe of how put together she could be in our whirlwind of insanity. I will miss her as I am sure many will. I love you LV, you were a great friend… and I will forever cherish the time I was lucky enough to be around you. <3 xofrnk”
Gerard Way’s wife, Lindsey, also remembered her friend, writing: "My friend Lauren was like Anne Hathaway in "the Devil Wears Prada". She was the most capable, hardworking person I've ever known, able to make the impossible- possible and I was in awe of her.
She helped me whenever I was in need, without asking and when she certainly didn't have to. She was thoughtful and kind and selfless. She made difficult times better.
“Life is cruel, painful and today I struggle to remember that it is also beautiful and miraculous. She was beautiful and miraculous.
“I held her hand yesterday and today she's gone. I was able to tell her how much I loved her, how much better my life was because she was in it. I was fortunate to be able to do that. Please don't wait, you may never get the chance."
Meanwhile, Grimes said in her post: “I loved you. Boy, did I love you. Life is beautiful, but we are not entitled to it. Cancer has no intention. It’s just life and death. So I don’t need to cry for you anymore. I think the Gods just wanted you back.”
She added: “Godspeed, bitch. I hope ur trolling in heaven. For the last seven years, you were the best manager a girl could ask for. I’m glad I saw the world with you (minus Brazil godamit haha.)
“Always did the right thing, even when you thought no-one was watching. I see you. Looking out for shooting stars. RIP Lauren Valencia.”
Former LostAlone singer Steven Battelle wrote on his official website: “I’m so sad today to hear my friend Lauren has passed away. We met on the MCR tour and she was so kind to my band and our crew, she always had a big smile on her face and she loved my big woolly jumper with teddy bears on it.
“We kept in touch since that tour and up until really recently she was helping me make inroads in the US with my songwriting. She told me she was unwell but I didn’t know the last time we messaged each other would be the last time. I’ll really miss our transatlantic chats. Thinking of her family today and of course all the MCR guys who I know she thought the world of and them of her.”