The family of former America’s Got Talent star Jane ‘Nightbirde’ Marczewski has shared their ‘devastation’ over her death, after the talented singer passed away at age 31 following a four-year-long battle with cancer.
The singer, from Ohio, died on Saturday, six months after she revealed that the disease had spread to her lungs, spine, and liver – forcing her to leave the singing competition show mid-way last August.
Her family has now spoken out about their ‘unimaginable loss,’ while paying tribute to Marczewski’s ‘larger-than-life personality.’
‘It is with the deepest heartache that we confirm that after a four-year battle with cancer, Jane Marczewski, known to many of you as Nightbirde, passed away on February 19, 2022. We, her family, are devastated by her passing and unimaginable loss,’ they said in a statement to DailyMail.com
The family of former America’s Got Talent star Jane ‘Nightbirde’ Marczewski (pictured in January) has shared their ‘devastation’ over her death
The talented singer passed away at age 31 following a four-year-long battle with cancer. She is pictured left with her family in December 2020
Her family says her death is an ‘unimaginable loss’ while paying tribute to Marczewski’s ‘larger-than-life personality.’ She is pictured in June 2021 with brother, Andrew, and mom, Sharon
Marczewski grew up in Zanesville, Ohio, but was living in San Clemente, California, with Andrew, a pastor, at the time of her death. They are pictured with their mom, in March 2020
Marczewski amazed the AGT judges and viewers alike when she performed an original song, It’s Okay, for her audition in June, earning a Golden Buzzer from an emotional Simon Cowell
‘Many remember her from America’s Got Talent, where she performed her song It’s OK and inspired millions of people around the globe with her messages of faith and never giving up.
‘Those who knew her, enjoyed her larger-than-life personality and sense of humor. She had a witty joke for every occasion – even if the joke was on her.
‘Her lasting legacy will be the gift of hope she gave to so many through her music and the strength she found in Jesus. We thank everyone for their messages of love and support.’
Marczewski amazed the AGT judges and viewers alike when she performed a poignant original song, It’s Okay, for her audition in June – which she attended by herself – earning a Golden Buzzer from an emotional Simon Cowell.
Less than two months later, she stunned everyone again by announcing that she had to quit because her cancer had ‘taken a turn for the worse.’
Marczewski grew up in Zanesville, Ohio, but was living in San Clemente, California with her brother, Andrew, who is a pastor, at the time of her death.
Her song It’s OK charted number one on the iTunes and Billboard charts after the audition. She released two EPs over the years, and her other top singles include New Year’s Eve, Girl in a Bubble, and Brave.
Marczewski’s family gushed over her ‘witty jokes’ and ‘sense of humor’ while remembering the late singer. She is pictured with her brother Mitch in February 2020
Maczewski’s sister-in-law said she was relieved her ‘pain’ has ‘been taken away,’ and that she is now ‘singing beautifully with no tumors in her lungs.’ Maczewski is pictured with family in 2021
She admitted that although she was ‘shocked’ when she found out about Maczewski’s passing, she ‘knew in her heart the news was coming soon’
Maczewski’s (pictured with her brother Andrew in 2017) song It’s OK charted number one on the iTunes and Billboard charts after the audition. She released two EPs over the years
Her dad, Mitch, who is also a pastor, launched a GoFundMe account following the news of her passing – entitled Nightbirde Memorial Fund – where he is aiming to raise $500,000. So far they have received just over $2,000 in donations.
Through the GoFundMe, he spoke further on his daughter’s life and legacy.
‘Before she became Nightbirde, she dedicated her high school years volunteering with the youth ministry at Cornerstone Church in Licking County, Ohio,’ he wrote.
‘She also spent many nights and weekends leading worship at Christian events throughout Ohio. It was during this time when she cultivated her love for music and ministry.
‘During college she continued her love for music by becoming a prolific songwriter and performer.
‘When she was not writing or singing, she shared Jesus with the unparented youngsters in her neighborhood while providing them snacks after school.’
Her sister-in-law Katelyn Maczewski also opened up about the loss on Facebook, admitting that although she was ‘shocked’ when she found out about Maczewski’s passing, she ‘knew in her heart the news was coming soon.’
‘There is a lot I do not understand. There are 1,000 questions that I do not have the answer to. But after all of this, the one thing I know for certain is that God is good.
‘The news of Jane’s passing came to me at 4 AM on Sunday morning. It came partially as a shock and partially as the news I knew in my heart was coming soon.
‘Jane left the Earth with nothing but her hope in Jesus. Everything else – the fame, the money, the “success” – all of the things that people strive for – stayed behind, leaving the rest of us with the legacy she created.
Marczewski (pictured in December) died on Saturday following months of treatment – after the disease had spread to her lungs, spine, and liver
The Ohio native was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and was in remission when it returned a few years later
Marczewski (pictured in October) was given just a two percent chance of survival in 2019, but she beat the odds and was cancer-free until the disease returned for the third time in 2021
‘A legacy of hope, strength, and victory. Yes, Jane is victorious because she no longer feels the sting of death that taunted her for so long.’
She added that she was relieved Maczewski’s ‘pain’ has now ‘been taken away,’ and that she is now ‘singing beautifully with no tumors in her lungs.’
She continued: ‘Every moment of Jane’s life gave testimony to the goodness of God, and her death reflects that even more.
‘God is glorified through her story, and her death is an opportunity to show God’s glory. She is in Heaven with Jesus Christ. And that, my friends, is very good news.’
The singing competition show remembered Marczewski on its official Instagram account, writing, ‘Your voice, your story, and your message touched millions. Nightbirde will always be a member of the AGT family. Rest In Peace, Jane.’
AGT judge Howie Mandel also honored Marczewski on Twitter on Monday, saying she was ‘such a bright inspirational light in all our lives.’
‘We must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics,’ he added. ‘As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to to have met, heard and known her.’
Host Terry Crews offered his condolences on Instagram.
‘We are saddened to learn about @_nightbirde‘s Passing,’ he captioned a photo of Marczewski on the show. ‘Our Condolences goes to her Closest Family & Friends in such of This difficult time. We Love you, Nightbirde.’
Judge Heidi Klum also shared a picture of Marczewski on her Instagram Stories, writing: ‘We love you. Rest in peace @_nightbirde.’
Her sentiments were echoed by fellow judge Sofia Vergara, who wrote on her own Instagram: ‘Rest in power @_nightbirde. We lost a shining star today.
AGT judge Heidi Klum paid tribute to Marczewski on her Instagram Stories on Monday
The singing competition show remembered Marczewski on its official Instagram account
Host Terry Crews also offered his condolences on Instagram, writing: ‘We love you, Nightbirde’
Meanwhile, judge Howie Mandel tweeted that she was ‘such an inspirational light in all of our lives’
‘You were a true inspiration to all. Sending so much love to Nightbirde’s family and friends. She was something special.’
Marczewski was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. She was in remission when it returned in a metastatic state.
In 2019, a doctor gave her a two percent chance of survival, estimating she only had three to six months to live.
She once again beat the odds and was in remission when the cancer returned in 2021 for the third and final time.
Marczewski had previously opened up about her cancer battle during an interview with former CNN host Chris Cuomo in August after she dropped out of the show.
She revealed that her liver was ‘more cancer than liver’ at that point, admitting that she had a ‘bad, bad month’ since she got the news.
But just as she charmed viewers with her remarkably upbeat attitude on AGT, she also demonstrated an admirably positive mindset on CNN, explaining how she managed to avoid feeling ‘bitter’ thanks to her ‘rebellious hope.’
Marczewski became an instant fan favorite when she appeared on AGT last summer, sharing the story of her cancer battle and singing an original song about being OK despite feeling lost.
She earned effusive praise from the judges, with the infamously tough Cowell appearing to tear up before hitting the Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the live show’s quarterfinals.
But weeks later, she announced that she was leaving the competition because her cancer battle had become too ‘demanding.’
Though she kept a brave face, she admitted on CNN that she’s was having a hard time.
Marczewski became an instant fan favorite when she appeared on AGT in June, sharing the story of her cancer battle and singing an original song about being OK despite feeling lost
She earned effusive praise from the judges, with the infamously tough Simon Cowell hitting the Golden Buzzer to send her directly to the live show’s quarterfinals
‘I have been curled up in a ball like a little cocktail shrimp having an A-plus pity party for myself, cause it’s just been a bad, bad month,’ she said. ‘It’s been really pretty devastating.
‘I’m not a quitter, so it was really really hard for me to say that I couldn’t finish the show,’ she added.
Marczewski shared that about a week before she had received the ‘shocking news’ that her cancer regrowth had taken over her lungs and liver.
While she admitted that it was difficult, she continued to cling to optimism.
‘But, like I said, I’m planning my future, not my legacy. And some people would call that blind denial but I prefer to call that rebellious hope. And I’m not stopping any time soon,’ she said.
AGT judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara gave Marczewski a standing ovation after her audition
She explained that she never asked ‘why me’ because ‘it’s a waste of time,’ and insisted ‘you do have a choice’ about whether or not to become bitter about misfortune
‘When we’re going through stuff like this where, really, the pain is too much to bear sometimes, it makes no sense at all. If we can hold onto a dream for the future, sometimes that’s all we need to get through.
‘And I believe in dreams for all of our lives that originated in the imagination of God. And just think about, “Don’t you wanna see what happens if you don’t give up? Don’t you wanna see what happens?” That’s what I keep saying to myself,’ she went on.
‘When you’re faced with so many blows to the gut in a row — like I have over the past several years — you find out what you’re made of, in a sense. And you’re given the opportunity to choose what you want to become.
When asked if she ever wallows and asks, ‘Why me?’ Marczewski said she doesn’t bother.
‘I try not to occupy myself with questions that are too big for myself to answer,’ she explained. ‘It’s a waste of time. Just because it’s a mystery doesn’t mean it’s the absence of meaning.
Less than two months after her incredible audition, she announced that she had to drop out of the competition series to focus on her health
She explained in her Instagram post that her ‘fight with cancer was demanding all of her energy and attention’
Klum also shared her post on Instagram at the time, along with a touching message of support
‘Sometimes the mystery means there’s more meaning there than we can even understand. And so I accept that and I let go of the questions because it’s too heavy,’ she added.
‘When you go through something that is so devastating, makes no sense, there’s no answers, you kind of have the choice: Am I gonna become bitter? Or am I not? You do have a choice. You do get to decide what becomes of you, in a sense.
‘And I’ve decided in my most painful moments to keep my eyes open, because it’s easier to close your eyes and give up and forget it. But there’s so much beauty and poetry to be seen in the world if you are willing to sign off on the pain that it takes to stay awake in the middle of something that hurts so bad. That’s all this is. Anybody can do it.’
Marczewski noted that while she was stepping back from AGT, she was not giving up her music.
‘This cancer’s gotta go… which I really believe is gonna happen soon. And after that, I’m gonna write the most amazing record you’ve ever heard in your life,’ she said, adding that she has continued to write songs.
Marczewski opened up about her cancer battle during an interview with former CNN host Chris Cuomo in August after she dropped out of the show
‘I have been curled up in a ball like a little cocktail shrimp having an A-plus pity party for myself, cause it’s just been a bad, bad month,’ she admitted
‘I have so much beautiful stuff that I’m so excited to share, and I know that I will,’ she said.
She even shared lyrics from one tune ‘that means a lot,’ which has a chorus that goes: ‘I still got some magic in me, I can’t feel it but I still believe. The music stopped but I can still sing, I’m pretty beat up but I still got dreams.’
Marczewski had first revealed on stage at her audition that she had cancer of the lungs, spine, and liver.
‘It’s important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me,’ she said.
When Simon got emotional after her performance, she told him: ‘You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.’
But on August 2, she announced on Instagram that she had to quit.
‘Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true,’ she wrote.
‘I’m not a quitter, so it was really really hard for me to say that I couldn’t finish the show,’ she explained
She said she had received ‘shocking news’ about ‘cancer regrowth that’s taken over over lungs and liver,’ adding, ‘My liver now is mostly cancer. More cancer than liver in there right now’
‘My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.
‘Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT. Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.
‘Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams,’ she concluded.
Klum shared the post on Instagram, along with a touching message of support.
‘@_nightbirde we will miss your energy, your passion, and your beautiful voice at the live shows,’ Klum wrote. ‘The entire #AGT family loves you and we’re all rooting for you,’ the model wrote, along with three red heart emojis.
Her fellow judge Vergara also shared the Instagram post, along with a message of her own.
‘Here’s to planning for a bright future @_nightbirde. Your energy, your smile, and your amazing voice will be missed at the #agt live shows, but we’re rooting for you and your big dreams!’ Vergara said.