Billie Eilish performs song in honour of Charlize Zmuda
Superstar Billie Eilish has performed an emotional tribute song to fatal shark attack victim Charlize Zmuda in front of a sold out Brisbane Entertainment Centre. SEE THE VIDEO.
QLD News
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In her final show in Brisbane, Billie Eilish has dedicated her song ‘Everything I wanted’ to the memory of 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda, who tragically died in a shark attack off Bribie Island.
Charlize was fatally attacked at Woorim Beach on February 4.
A video circulating online shows the American pop-superstar standing before a crowd of thousands of adoring fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre Saturday night.
“I want to dedicate this next song to Charlize Zmuda, to you and your family,” she said before launching into the sombre opening bars of her 2019 single.
The song’s lyrics, a mournful contemplation of what might have been, struck the tone perfectly as the Bribie Island community gathered on Sunday to reflect on a young life lost far too soon.
Eilish’s touching gesture for Charlize, an amateur musician who uploaded videos of herself performing at home and on stage, was brought to life through a campaign by family and friends.
Clips uploaded online of Charlize by those close to her gained traction with the #LLCZ asking for a tribute from Eilish while she was in Brisbane.
Commenters on Facebook expressed gratitude for Eilish taking the time to connect and give back to the community.
“That was absolutely awesome, and her family would be so happy rest in peace beautiful young girl and Billie Eilish you are a legend for showing respect of a lovely young woman and you didn’t even know her see you next time you’re in Brisbane,” Sharon Moore wrote.
“That was brilliant, Charlize would’ve been over the moon. And congratulations to her friends and classmates, you made this happen,” Lachlan Kriedemann commented.
The perfomance came the night before hundreds gathered at Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club for an emotional final send off for Charlize.
The 17-year-old was honoured with a paddle out organised by Surf Life Saving Queensland, the club and Ms Zmuda’s family.
Father Steve Zmuda and Charlize’s sister lead the paddlers into the ocean.
A line of surf life saving boats joined the paddle out, lead by one holding the club flag, as well as the Westpac helicopter which dropped a wreath down to the paddlers.
The beach was solemn as paddlers held hands, before they began cheering and flicking water up into the air, with a round of applause erupting along the shoreline.
Two of Ms Zmuda’s best friends from school, Avara Bishop and Samantha Forsyth, said it was a “very emotional day”.
“I think these ceremonies help, especially seeing the support and love she has,” Miss Bishop said.
“We have lots of things at school too like a little Prayer garden with a plaque.”
It is understood Sunday’s public memorial followed a private ceremony on Saturday in which the family and close friends spread Ms Zmuda’s ashes - placed in a biodegradable turtle - in the ocean.
“It was very beautiful and special,” Miss Bishop said.
Miss Forsyth said they hoped to keep Ms Zmuda’s legacy alive by speaking of her love of life and the beach.
“She would want people to love and look after the beach,” she said.
“We will keep talking about her, bringing her up … we just want to keep her memory alive,” Miss Bishop added.
The pair said Eilish’s tribute was a “special surprise”.
As the paddlers began rolling back into shore, Mr Zmuda was emotional as he embraced several members of the crowd and surf life saving club.
State Regional Operations Manager from Surf Life Saving Queensland Aaron Purchase said it was a very emotional morning, however it was an important part of the process to help the Zmuda family.
“It’s an unbelievable tragedy,” Mr Purchase said
“We’re just doing our best to wrap our arms around Steve, Renee and Steph, and it’s certainly going to be a difficult day.”
Mr Purchase went on to say they wanted the community to continue to come to the beach and enjoy the ocean.
“Charlize was an integral part of Queensland Life Saving and is part of the reason we’re all here and love coming to the beach, so continuing to do that and encourage others to enjoy the beach is the best thing we can do as a surf life saving community,” he said.
“Charlize has a lasting place in all our hearts but yeah, we just really want people to continue to enjoy the beaches safely.”
Originally published as Billie Eilish performs song in honour of Charlize Zmuda
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