On Wednesday (Feb. 11), Kesha took to her Instagram Stories to share two photos with the actor — one in which Van Der Beek is pointing at the pop star and one of the pair embracing — and simply adding red heart emojis over each pic. The photos were taken on a Las Vegas red carpet in May 2011, three months after the debut of their “Blow” music video.
advertisement
Back in 2011, Kesha enlisted Van Der Beek to play opposite her in the cheeky music video for the Cannibal single. The fantastical visual — which featured Kesha making out with unicorns and exchanging rainbow-laser gunshots with her co-star — turned the actor’s teen-drama image upside down and showed off his previously hidden sense of humor.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t James Van Der Douche,” Kesha quips during a dialogue break in the video. “I don’t appreciate you slander-Beeking my name, Ke-dollar-sign-ha,” Van Der Beek responds, poking fun at the previous stylization of Ke$ha’s stage name. The video ends with Van Der Beek’s head mounted on Kesha’s wall as she laughs with her unicorn-headed friends.
“Blow” was a top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit for Kesha, peaking at No. 7 in 2011.
Van Der Beek’s family announced his death on Wednesday following a public battle with cancer over the past two years. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the Instagram statement read. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
advertisement
In the comments section on Van Der Beek’s Instagram page, his famous and friends shared their condolences, including *NSYNC’s Lance Bass, who wrote, “We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place.”
Reese Witherspoon wrote, “Sending all my angels to help carry him home … you and your beautiful family are in my heart,” while Jennifer Garner added, “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwen and Jeremiah.
