Sorry for the delay in updating! Happy New Year everyone x
Lizzie is curled up on the sofa watching the news. Behind her, Parker is making a fruit salad, which he hands to her as soon as it's ready. He jumps over the back of the couch to sit beside her and tugs her close to him. "So what's happening in the world?" he asks and she frowns.
"Earthquakes," she shrugs. "Crime. The usual."
"Wait, what's this?" Parker leans forward as the newsreader takes a piece of paper being handed to him. They watch as he raises a hand to his ear, listening to the information he is being given.
"But that's…this has just been confirmed," he says. "Hollywood actress Tori Vega has died. Tori, 22, was the youngest actress ever to win an Oscar, and the youngest ever to win two consecutive Oscars. This morning she was involved in a car crash which killed her. More to follow."
Lizzie has frozen, her hand halfway to her mouth, but as the piece of fruit splashes back into the bowl, she snaps out of it. "She can't be dead," she whispers. "She can't be."
"Why are they saying that?" Parker snaps. "There must have been a mix up."
"I'm calling Beck," she says, already dialling. She listens to it ring twice before Beck answers. "Beck?" she says.
"It's true," he replies in a dead voice. "Victoria died this morning."
"Oh my God," she breathes. "What happened?"
"They're not sure yet," he says, sounding dazed. "They think she was being chased by paparazzi."
"Oh God," she says, already close to tears. "Beck, listen, we're on our way over, okay?"
"Please don't," he says. "I want to be alone."
"Okay," she says. "Call us if you need anything at all, okay? We love you."
"Yes," he replies. "Goodbye." He hangs up and for a few moments, she just listens to the dialling tone.
"Well?" Parker says. "What did he say?"
"It's true," she says tearfully. "Tori's dead."
"How can she be dead?" Parker says, eyes glistening. "It must be a mistake."
"No mistake," she says, voice cracking. "She's dead, Parker, she's gone."
"Oh God," he says, tears starting to fall and he pulls her into his chest, rocking her as she starts to sob.
"We need to call Jackson," she says. "What if he doesn't know yet?"
"I'll do it," Parker says, getting up and walking out onto the balcony.
"Parker?" Jackson says. "What's up?"
"Did you hear?" Parker asks, but he can already tell he doesn't know; he sounds too happy.
"No," Jackson replies. "Hear what?"
"There's been an accident," he explains. "Tori died."
"What?" Jackson says, his voice breaking. "She can't have. There must be some mistake."
"No mistake," Parker says, backhanding tears from his cheeks. "She's gone."
"Have you spoken to Beck?" Jackson asks. "Is he alright? Was he in the accident as well?"
"Not as far as I know," Parker says. "He spoke to Lizzie, he said he's not sure what happened yet."
"I need to get round there," Jackson says. "Are you going?"
"No, he doesn't want company," Parker replies. "I think it's still sinking in for him – if he sees people, it'll make it too real."
"Okay," Jackson says tearfully. "I've gotta go, Parker, I better ring round the rest of the cast and crew. Look after Lizzie, won't you?"
"Of course," Parker agrees. "I'll speak to you soon, okay?"
"Cat?" André says brightly. "What's up, Little Red?"
From the other end of the line, all he can hear is sobbing, and then somebody else takes the phone. "André?" Robbie says. "There's been an accident."
"What's happened?" André asks, standing bolt upright. "Who's hurt?"
"It's Tori," Robbie says tearfully. "She's dead."
"No," André says. "You're wrong. She's not dead. She can't be."
"I'm so sorry," Robbie says. "André, please just listen to me."
"You're lying," André shouts. "She is not dead!"
"Beck says they think she was being chased by paparazzi," Robbie explains. "She crashed her car under a tunnel; the whole thing went up in flames."
"Stop it," André says, bursting into tears. "It can't be true, it can't be. How can the world exist without Tori?"
"I don't know," Robbie says. "It's the worst thing that could have happened, André, I'm so sorry. Will you tell Jane?"
"Yeah," André says, rubbing his face with his hand. "Darryl and John are round here too – I'll make sure they know."
"Okay, thank you," Robbie says. "Beck says he doesn't want company, but one of us should go round."
"Let me," André pleads. "Please let me go – I couldn't bear to be anywhere else."
"Of course," Robbie says. "I'm going to call Jade. I'll speak to you later."
"Sure," André agrees. "Look after Cat, won't you?"
"Of course," Robbie says, and he hangs up. André can only stare at his phone for a moment before he goes back inside. Darryl, John and Jane are all sitting round the table, laughing loudly.
"What's happened?" Jane asks, stopping abruptly. "What's wrong?"
"There's been an accident," André explains, backhanding tears from his cheeks. "It's bad."
"What?" John asks. "Who died?"
"André," Darryl says, pain flooding his voice. "Tell me it's not her."
"It's Tori," André confirms, breaking down. "She's gone."
"What happened?" John asks as he pulls Jane into a hug. Darryl is bent double; his head in his hands, but his shoulders are shaking with the force of his sobs.
"Apparently the paps were chasing her and she crashed her car," André explains angrily. "I'm gonna go, I've got to see Beck. Are you gonna be okay?
"Go," Jane insists tearfully. "I'll see you when you get back."
"Okay," he agrees, picking up his jacket. "I love you. See y'all later."
"Hours on, stars from all around are paying tribute to actress Tori Vega, who died today. The 22-year-old was driving along Hollywood Boulevard when she crashed her car in a tunnel. The engine exploded upon impact and the whole car was engulfed in flames. Passers-by dragged the star from her car. Paramedics were on the scene within 5 minutes of the accident. It seems that she sustained extensive third-degree burns as well as a head trauma. This led to them pronouncing her legally dead at the scene of the collision.
Witnesses suggest that the star was being tailed by paparazzi. They followed her all the way from her gym on North Sycamore Avenue. She was pictured there only today exercising with a personal trainer in the lead-up to her new film. CCTV footage shows that she was driving erratically, as if she was trying to shake off cars on her tail. Two black cars were pictured entering the tunnel directly behind the star. However, no such cars were pictured at the scene of the accident.
Since her death was announced on CNN news this morning, tributes have flooded in. They have been praising the young star and wishing her family and friends well at this horrific time. Boyfriend and fellow actor Beck Oliver received particular attention. Many stars reached out to offer their support. Anna Kendrick tweeted "I knew Tori very well. Wise beyond her years and unbelievably talented. Unfair she was taken from us so soon. RIP." Meanwhile Irish talk show host Graham Norton tweeted, "Tori Vega was a gift from God. The most talented young actress I have ever met. My thoughts are with Beck and her family. Rest in Peace."
Formal statements were also released. Director Max Anderson, who launched the star's career in a film which won her an Oscar, spoke out. He expressed his grief and offered condolences to Vega's friends and family. 'I had the pleasure of working with Tori on 'Romeo and Juliet'. To this day, it is still one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had. She was hard-working and focused, but still made the work fun. She was incredibly talented and deserved all the praise she ever received and more. It is criminal that she was taken from us so soon, and my thoughts are with her family, and with Beck, who she loved deeply. God has gained another angel. Rest in Peace.'
Fellow director and close friend Jackson Holmes also released a statement. He praised not only the star's acting talent but also her singing voice and her producing abilities. 'Tori was the standout star of her generation. Everybody knows that she was an incredible actress and an amazing singer. However, she also had all the makings of a brilliant director. She understood her target audiences and connected with her cast and crew to get the best out of them. She was passionate about everything she did and she was very clever, very kind and very beautiful. My prayers go to her family at this time, and to Beck. Their relationship was very special and I cannot imagine the pain he must be feeling right now. I love you, Tori. Rest in Peace.'
Co-stars of Vega also spoke out, expressing their heartache at her death. Lizzie Riley, star of 'Virals', a series of films which Vega co-produced, tweeted "Can't stop crying. She deserved so much better. We love you, Tori. Rest in Peace." Meanwhile Jane Lawson tweeted, 'Beck lost a soulmate, I lost a sister and the world lost a star. Rest in Peace, Tori, and know that I will always love you'. Meanwhile, Darryl Brown shared a previously unseen picture of her. He met Vega on the set of 'Romeo and Juliet'. The young stars were in the process of recording an album together. He also tweeted 'I will never meet a person as wonderful as you. You mean everything to me. I love you, Miss Vega. Rest in Peace.'
Childhood friends and family have maintained a solemn silence, however. Best friend André Harris was pictured outside the house which Vega shared with Oliver at 1 o'clock. He looked at all the flowers that were already being left in her memory. Then he proceeded to join the actor inside. They were later joined by Oliver's ex-girlfriend, Jade West. She was accompanied by actress Cat Valentine and an unnamed friend. Trina, Holly and David Vega arrived at about 3 o'clock. The whole company went down to the scene of the crime together. Beck, David and Holly spoke to several police officers. Valentine was pictured setting down a large bouquet of flowers. She then sought solace in the arms of her unnamed friend. Meanwhile Harris and Vega's sister Trina were comforted by West. Beck himself was visibly upset, but as of yet he has not released a public statement regarding her death.
Album sales and movie downloads have already started shooting up. Vega's self-titled album of 2013 re-entered the charts this afternoon. Meanwhile, plans for Vega's latest movie have been scrapped. In addition, Jackson Holmes indicated today that he would pay tribute to the star, in the final instalments in the 'Virals' series. Reports also suggest that the committee for the Hollywood Walk of Fame may break rules this year and award a star to Vega. This news comes despite their previous insistence that posthumous stars are only awarded after the person in question has been deceased for five years.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who was famously fond of Vega, had the final word today. He posted a picture on Instagram of himself with the star. It was captioned 'God takes the ones he loves most first – who could he love more than Tori? Rest in Peace, my dear, and save me a seat if I ever get up there.'"
"Days after the heart-breaking death of Tori Vega, boyfriend and fellow actor Beck Oliver is yet to make a statement. However, close and personal friend of the couple, André Harris, has now spoken to the press about the tragedy of her death. 'It's the worst thing that's ever happened to me, and I can't imagine anything worse happening to me ever. I'd do anything to trade places with her – she had so much more to give and she deserved so much better. She was so talented and clever, but also so kind and trustworthy, so honest. She was the best person I will ever know, and I am honestly heartbroken that I will never see her again.'
When asked about the feelings of Beck Oliver, André Harris had only this to say. 'Beck is really struggling with his grief, as I'm sure you can imagine. I'm devastated at her loss but I cannot even imagine how he is feeling right now. He and Tori were best friends, lovers and soulmates and he deserved so much more time with her than he got. He needs to be left alone to deal with this tragedy, and I think the public, the press, everyone should give him that after everything that's happened.'
Is he referring to the accusations that the paparazzi are to blame for his death? 'Yes,' Andre says frankly, 'You only have to watch the CCTV footage to see that they were chasing her. Tori was a great driver, she was so careful, but on that day, she was all over the place, she must have been terrified. This godawful celebrity culture that we've bred into society has just killed an innocent girl who was just trying to do her job, same as you or me. She didn't deserve to be treated that way, it's just not fair.'
Another thing we've heard in the past few days is that he and Beck visited a jewellery store? What was that all about? To this, Harris will give no answer and he terminates the interview. The story in question was of course mentioned by a worker in the store, who claims that Oliver visited a jewellery store the day after her death to return a ring. This news has created rumours that the actor was planning to propose to Vega shortly before her accident, making the shock even more devastating for the Hollywood community. Vega and Oliver were together for over 5 years and were friends for many years before that, first meeting at school when they were just teenagers. They first worked together on 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'The Pact' before collaborating on the entire 'Virals' saga, which wrapped three weeks before Vega's death. Director Jackson Holmes has already announced his intention to dedicate the last two instalments, 'Exposure' and 'Terminal', to her memory.
Beck Oliver is yet to make a statement about the death, but news will be reported on in due course."
"Good morning," Beck says, sitting down on the couch opposite Ellen.
"How are you?" Ellen asks, uncharacteristically quiet. The audience is not breathing, watching Beck in silence.
"How do I…how do I even begin to answer that question?" Beck says, his voice breaking on every other word. "Victoria's gone."
"I am so sorry for your loss," she says. "You must miss her terribly."
"That doesn't even begin to cover it," he says sadly, "She was my life and now she's… You interviewed her, you knew her, and you had the privilege of knowing what an amazing human being she was."
"She was," Ellen agrees, "She was unfailingly kind despite everything and always very open."
"She loved people," Beck says simply, shrugging his shoulders. "She'd do anything to please. She was so bright, so beautiful and my best friend in the entire world. I miss everything about her. I can still see her face, every time I close my eyes. I can hear her voice when I go to bed. Everything around me reminds me of her and I don't know…you see celebs all the time that say they're doing okay after a death. I'm not. I'm not okay. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of me and I can't breathe. But. I want to say thank you to all Tori's fans, and all my fans, for all their unfailing support. I know that you're hurting too."
"Oh Beck," Ellen says, close to tears. She leans across, takes his hand and asks, "Is it true you were planning to propose to Tori before she died?"
"Yeah I was," he sighs, "We were finally stable, you know? I've been thinking about it for years but the time was never right. We'd just wrapped on 'Terminal' and she was only signed up for one more project and then for the first time in forever we were both not working. Besides which, she was expecting which meant that-"
Beck is interrupted then by a horrified gasp throughout the studio, even from Ellen. "Expecting?" she says breathlessly, "Beck, are you telling me that Tori was pregnant?"
"We were waiting to tell people," he says, a tear flopping down onto his cheek, "Tori was terrified something was gonna go wrong and she didn't want to get everyone's hopes up. I told everyone the day after the accident; there was no point in keeping it a secret."
"So you decided to announce it to the press as well?" Ellen asks quietly.
"They need to understand," Beck says, angry now, "You've seen the CCTV footage, I'm sure the whole world has. I myself have watched it more times than I can remember and there is no doubt in my mind. Tori was being chased. Their dangerous driving caused her death because they were so desperate for a little bit of gossip to put in their stupid magazines. I just wanna know whether they think it was worth it. My girlfriend and my child are both dead because they wanted to know whether she was going straight home from the gym. She died alone, afraid and in so much pain because they cared more about whom she might have been talking to than about her life. So was it worth it? Really?"
"Nothing is worth that," Ellen says calmly, "Beck, I am so sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry," he says quietly, "You didn't kill her. They did. I'm sorry, Ellen, I need to go."
He stands up and walks off the set without another word. Ellen somehow finds the words to end the show and then, when the cameras are off, she turns to the producers. "That was horrible," she says, "Absolutely horrible. Is he still here?"
"No, he left," one of them replies and she sighs, running her hands through her hair.
"I just…did we know he was going to announce the pregnancy before he did it?" she asks.
"No," another says, "He didn't tell anyone about that bombshell."
"It's going to be everywhere tonight," she says, "We need to be prepared."
"More tragic news has swept the nation tonight as Beck Oliver announces on Ellen that his girlfriend, the recently deceased Tori Vega who died in a car accident last month, was expecting his child. The couple had been together for over 5 years when she died, and Oliver also confirmed that he was planning to propose to the star before her death.
Oliver was visibly heartbroken throughout the interview and confirmed to the audience that he had no plans to hide his devastation. He spoke in depth about the circumstances surrounding her death and stated that he blamed the paparazzi for their role in the collision.
Since the interview was aired, stars and fans alike have spoken out over social media, expressing their sorrow at Beck's news and condemning the press for their treatment of the star. Anna Kendrick was one of the first to speak out, tweeting, 'Devastated to hear about Tori's baby. How many people have to die before we realise that there is something wrong with our celeb culture?' Jane Lawson, close friend of both Beck and Tori, retweeted this and also tweeted, '100% agree with everything Beck said today – the press are at fault. He has lost everything and for what? #sowasitworthit'
Within hours, this hashtag was trending worldwide, with stars including Emma Watson, Douglas Booth, Liam Payne and Sam Claflin chiming in on the debate. André Harris, Vega's best friend, also spoke out after the interview, writing a Facebook statement which read, 'I found out about Tori's pregnancy the day after her death. I have never felt such pain in all my life. Knowing that the paparazzi not only took her life but also the life of an innocent child is something I struggle to deal with every day. Nothing can make up for our loss but I hope that people realise the way we treat our celebrities is unacceptable. Beck has lost everything, his soulmate and his baby. I lost my best friend. #sowasitworthit'."