Renowned celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation has passed away at the age of 39. The cause of his sudden death remains under investigation.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, Nation died at a gym on February 14. Authorities are actively gathering more details surrounding the circumstances of his passing.
Just days before his unexpected death, Nation had been celebrating a major career milestone—styling Catherine O’Hara’s hair for her Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial. In a February 10 Instagram post, he shared his excitement:
“My first ever Super Bowl commercial! What an absolute blast to work on. Thank you, Catherine O’Hara, for having me be a part of this epic commercial.”
A Flourishing Career
Throughout his career, Nation built an impressive portfolio, working with high-profile clients, including Demi Moore, Simone Ashley, Venus Williams, Alix Earle, and Emma Chamberlain. He styled Moore for the Yves Saint Laurent show in Paris in 2022 and worked with Jared Leto for the 3rd Annual Academy Museum Gala in December 2023.
Beyond his work as a hairstylist, Nation was also a respected educator and ambassador for major beauty brands like SexyHair and Fekkai. His artistry was featured in top publications such as British Vogue, W, Elle, Marie Claire, InStyle, and Wonderland.
The hairstyling community is mourning his loss. Behind the Chair, the world’s largest community for salon professionals, shared a heartfelt tribute:
“Graham was a one-of-a-kind soul who impacted every single person he met. We are honored to have been part of his journey and to have helped him share his artistry with the world.”
Behind the Chair’s founder and creative director, Mary Rector, also reflected on Nation’s character:
“Graham was one of the kindest, most gentle souls in this business! His talent was unmistakable, his ego was nonexistent, and his time with us was unforgettable.”
A Loving Father and Partner
Outside of his professional life, Nation—whose real name was Graham Cheek—was a devoted partner to Tonya Brewer. The couple announced in May 2024 that they were expecting their first child. In a heartwarming video, Nation lovingly kissed Brewer’s pregnant belly before embracing her, as they excitedly shared the news: “We made a baby.”
On August 10, 2024, they welcomed their son, Romeo West. Nation shared the joyous occasion with a touching photo of himself cradling his newborn close to his chest.
Honoring His Legacy
Following his sudden passing, friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Brewer and their six-month-old son. The fundraiser’s message reads:
“With the deepest sorrow, we suddenly lost our beloved Graham on Friday, February 14. His passing was completely unexpected. His family is left bereft and in a state of tragic shock and sorrow.”
As of this publication, the campaign has raised $171,735 of its $175,000 goal to help Brewer and Romeo through this devastating time.
Friends and colleagues continue to honor Nation’s legacy, describing his work ethic as “unparalleled” and emphasizing the love he shared with Brewer:
“Graham and Tonya built their relationship on strong moral values, working together to create a lasting legacy for their beautiful family. This was, without a doubt, Graham’s greatest ambition.”
They also expressed their commitment to ensuring his legacy lives on for his son:
“As Graham continues to be a ray of light and inspiration, we will keep his memory alive for his son, Romeo.”
In addition to easing the financial burden on Brewer, his friends hope to surround her with love and support as she navigates this difficult loss.
“We honor Graham’s family, the Cheek family, who raised him to be the incredible son, brother, and friend we all knew and loved,” they shared.
They also extended their condolences to Brewer’s family, acknowledging the joy Nation brought into their daughter’s life by building a family together.
As those who knew him come together to celebrate his life, one thing remains certain—Graham Nation’s impact will endure, not just through his artistry, but in the hearts of those who loved him most.
