Nick Viall is paying tribute to the late Hailey Merkt, a contestant from his season of “The Bachelor,” who passed away on Friday, July 26 after a battle with leukemia.
The former “Bachelor,” 43, spoke about Merkt’s passing on the August 1 episode of his his podcast, “The Viall Files.”
“On a very sad note, Hailey Merkt passed away,” the reality star said. “Hailey was on my season of ‘The Bachelor’ [in 2017]. She left week 2. I didn’t really get to know her very well at all, but I very much vividly remember her, and I remember her to be very sweet and kind.”
“It’s just very tragic,” he added. “She struggled with a very tough battle of leukemia it sounds like, and recently passed away, so our love and hearts go out to her family, who are obviously going through it.”
“It sounds like she really put up a very courageous fight, and, unfortunately, she is with us no more,” he continued. “But very sad to see that she passed, and we’re definitely praying for her and her family.”
Merkt was just 31. She had been documenting her battle with Leukemia on social media.
News of the model’s death was shared on her Instagram account on Tuesday, July 30, and a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Merkt’s mother, Michelle.
The former reality contestant was declared cancer-free in April following a bone marrow transplant. However, just six weeks later, she received the devastating news that her leukemia had returned and spread.
“After the bone marrow transplant had taken, [Merkt] was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth she only had 6 weeks before she got the terrible news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast,” a statement posted to Merkt’s GoFundMe page revealed.
“Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.’”
“She had such clarity and independence and grace,” the post added.
“She decided she wanted to live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things,” wrote Christopher Bennett, the official GoFundMe page organizer.
“A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks all ticked off. Hanging out in a favourite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul.”
The proceeds from the GoFundMe page will help Merkt’s mother pay for the “overwhelming” costs that remain from her daughter’s treatment. It will remain live until August 10, 2024, at 12:01 AM. The family asked for donations in lieu of flowers.
The Instagram announcement of Merkt’s passing described her battle with leukemia as a “courageous fight for her life.”
“Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness,” Merkt’s family said in the caption.
“Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets.”
“She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment,” the post continued. “Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives.”
“Hailey will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her laughter, her love, and her vibrant spirit have left an undeniable mark on our hearts.”
“While we grieve her loss, we find comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on in all the lives she touched,” the family concluded. “Rest in peace, Hailey. ”
Messages of condolence quickly flooded in, including from Bachelor Nation.
“Oh my gosh!!! I’m so so sad to hear this ” wrote fellow “Bachelor” season 21 contestant Raven Gates. “I was so hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey you’ll never be forgotten.”
Danielle Maltby, also from season 21, commented, “I count myself so lucky to know your laugh and grateful to have met and loved the realest, warmest, most beautiful soul in the weirdest of places forever grateful for your friendship there and in the real world…. What a force my girl, rest easy so much love to all your people.”
Merkt’s family also posted a message on her Instagram story on Thursday, August 1, thanking everyone who sent “kind and loving messages.”
