... was slated to be face of 876 Roommates’ new season

The death of the entertaining YouTube vlogger Lexian Williams, known professionally as Lexi D Bess has rocked the social media and entertainment community.

Last year, the 20-year-old outshone competitors in the reality TV series, 876 Roommates, and was projected by the creators as Jamaica's next big star.

Though selected as a wild card by one of the Cashment Entertainment executives, "that did not deter her," said Kazrae Gray, CEO of the creative group that conceptualised the reality TV series.

For the upcoming season, scheduled for later this year, Lexi D Bess would have been a central figure.

"Our plans included her as the face of our brand for Season two," Gray told THE STAR.

He said that those plans "will not change", but noted that the matter will have to be discussed with her family.

"We want to make sure that they are on board, but we know that her death is not only sudden but shocking, so it's important to give the family their privacy at this time," Gray said.

The creative recalled how the confident Trelawny native announced herself as a force to be reckoned with in the the creative space.

"She was bold, unapologetic, versatile, and definitely fierce. If she hadn't passed away, Lexian would have gone on to become one of Jamaica's top female comedians," Gray said, adding that, "her stand-up comedic talent is unmatched for her age, and her versatility just helped her light shine even more."

Lexi D Bess was among three people who died in a vehicular crash on the North Coast Highway in Trelawny last Friday. The crash also claimed the lives of 25-year-old Kemar Smith, of Hyde in Clarks Town, and 31-year-old Chris Codner of Exchange, St Ann.

Gray said that the loss of the influencer-turned-comedian has the 876 Roommates production team distraught.

"She was our family," he said. "Losing her in such a tragic way is inconsolable. 876 Roommates revolves around unity, so we definitely have a missing link without her. There wasn't just one particular thing about Lexi that made me proud to have her on the show. Our plans included her as the face of our brand for Season two, and that will not change. However, we have not yet spoken to the family and we want to make sure that they are on board, but we know that her death is not only sudden but shocking, so it's important to give the family their privacy at this time," he said.

"She was fearless, determined and her courage was unmatched. I would say that Lexi was so confident in herself and her talent that she revelled in sharing the stage without fear of competition. She has the spirit of a true leader and definitely someone to emulate in this business," Gray shared.

Actor and media personality Cornelius Grant told THE STAR that he was "still in disbelief" about Lexi's death. He said that he spoke to her on Thursday and she asked him for pointers on how to MC a cook-out.

Lexi died after leaving the cookout that afternoon.

Grant said that he met her on the set of 876 Roommates, and assumed the role of mentor. Lexi D Bess' Instagram garnered 145,000 followers and her TikTok was also growing with international superstars like Nicki Minaj giving attention to the young creative.

"After a while I just suggested that I managed her and before this tragic incident, she was ready to be the next breakout sensation within the corporate world," Grant said.