Celebrity hairstylist and Extreme Makeover star Kim Vō passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 55 after an eight-year battle with colorectal cancer. Recognized as the "best blonder in the business" by Vogue, Vō was the creative visionary behind the iconic looks of stars like Britney Spears and Gwyneth Paltrow. His husband, Adeel Khan, confirmed the news, noting that Vō’s final wish was to support fellow beauty and fashion creatives through the Kim Vō Foundation.
A Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Icon in the Global Beauty Industry
Kim Vō was more than just a stylist. He was someone who helped connect different cultures and lived at the meeting point of many worlds. Kim was born in Vietnam and grew up in the elegant surroundings of Europe before moving to the United States. This mix of cultures gave him a special understanding of what beauty means across the world. As a well-known and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, he worked in the tough environment of Hollywood with a genuine honesty that was uncommon back then. When many famous people tried to hide their personal lives from their professional image, VÅ chose to be open about being gay and made it a central part of his idea of "approachable luxury."
His work in the industry inspired many young queer artists who saw him as an example of how you can succeed in high fashion and celebrity culture while staying true to yourself. Kim often talked about the idea of "being your own brand," which meant being honest, kind, and staying true to who you are.
By breaking down barriers in the media—appearing on big TV networks as an expert and a judge—he showed that the queer community could be more than just behind the scenes. They could be the face of the industry too. His legacy is about bravery, proving that a career built on skill is even stronger when it's rooted in being true to yourself.
Passing at 55 After a Valiant Battle with Colorectal Cancer
The world of beauty was deeply affected on January 19, 2026, when Kim Vō passed away in Beverly Hills at the age of 55. His passing came after an eight-year fight with colorectal cancer, a struggle he faced with the same strength and positive attitude that marked his career.
Kim Vo was first diagnosed in 2018, and he chose to keep most of his health journey private, focusing instead on his work, his husband, and his creative interests. After his death, his husband, Adeel Khan, shared that Kim had continually beaten medical expectations, living many years beyond what was predicted thanks to his strong will and the excellent care from his medical team at Cedars-Sinai and the Angeles Clinic.
Kim’s last effort was about helping others. He understood how expensive and emotionally draining cancer can be for people in the creative fields, so he created the Kim Vō Foundation. The foundation aims to offer medical advocacy, financial help, and wellness support to hair, beauty, and fashion professionals dealing with cancer.
His goal was for his legacy to be about taking care of health and being proactive, encouraging others to get early screenings and take care of themselves. He died peacefully, surrounded by love, leaving behind a big global influence, a transformed industry, and a foundation that will keep helping people in the beauty world for many years to come.
The "Best Blonder in the Business": A Technical Revolution
When Vogue magazine called Kim Vō the "Best Blonder in the Business," it wasn't just a fun title—it meant something big. It showed how he started a major change in the hair coloring world. Vō moved the industry away from the harsh, striped highlights of the late 90s toward a more refined, multidimensional shine.
Kim created a special technique called "American Tailoring," which treated hair like high fashion. Instead of using the same method for everyone, he carefully placed highlights to look like sunlight hitting a child's hair. This made the color match each person's skin tone and eye color perfectly.
He also introduced "hair dusting," a cutting method that let people keep their long, beautiful hair while removing all split ends—something actresses really loved because they needed healthy hair under bright movie lights. The hairstylist also perfected "smudging," a way to blend the roots so there wasn't a harsh line where new hair grew. This helped celebrities look great even between hair appointments. His product line, including the famous Brilliant Luster Glaze, let women at home achieve that same "spun-gold" look he created in his Beverly Hills salon. Vō didn't just change the way hair looked—he changed how color was applied, making it healthier and more radiant.
A Decade of Global Television Stardom and Media Influence Kim Vo was one of the first people to become famous as a celebrity stylist, moving beyond just cutting hair to becoming a well-known TV personality. He really started to gain attention when he joined ABC's Extreme Makeover show as the main hair expert. On that show, he was known for being very caring and helping people feel more confident through their new looks. This made him very popular and led to him becoming a judge on Bravo's Shear Genius show for a long time. On that show, he was known for being strict but fair, and he really valued both skill and the ability to understand what a client wanted.
Kim also became a regular on E!'s Daily 10, where he did quick, surprising makeovers that showed how fast and good he was at his job. He often appeared on shows like Access Hollywood and The Look: All Stars, sharing his knowledge about fashion and hair trends.
In his later years, he appeared in the Paramount+ series Blowing LA, which showed the fast-paced, sometimes crazy world of salons in West Hollywood. Throughout his career on TV, Kim was known for his humor, charm, and big laugh, making him a popular and inspiring figure for many people.
Master Stylist to the Hollywood Elite and Global Royalty
The inside of a Kim Vo salon was a special place for the world's most famous women who had been photographed a lot. For over twenty-five years, he built a list of clients that was like a "Who's Who" of Hollywood. The youth icon was the person behind Britney Spears' most famous blonde hair changes and the one who created Gwyneth Paltrow's style of looking effortlessly stylish. Other long-time clients included Kate Hudson, Pamela Anderson, Uma Thurman, and Katherine Heigl. His ability to keep these relationships for so many years showed his good character; in the busy, talkative world of Beverly Hills, Vo was known as someone who kept things private—someone who gave stars a safe place to feel relaxed and comfortable.
However, his impact wasn't just in Hollywood. Kim was often sent around the world to style royalty and important leaders, often working in private homes and top-rated hotels. Even though he was close to very rich and powerful people, he never lost his idea of "friendly luxury."
Kim Vo was well-known for treating everyone who sat in his chair, whether they were a billionaire or someone who had saved for a year just to see him, with the same care, attention, and respect. He believed that everyone should feel like a star, and his talent for making each client feel "recognized and welcomed" became the key part of the Kim VÅ experience, creating a standard of service that few others could reach.
The Sacred Bond: Marriage and Partnership with Adeel Khan
At the center of Kim Vo's personal life was a love story that shaped the last part of his life. In 2014, Kim met Adeel Khan, who later became known as Adeel Vo-Khan. He was a famous fashion stylist with a creative eye that matched Kim's technical skills. Their meeting was seen by friends as a "meeting of the minds," which led to a partnership that worked well in both business and their personal lives. As a married couple, they were seen as a modern "power duo" in the luxury industry. Adeel wasn't just there for support; he played a key role in building the Kim VÅ brand, working as its creative director and brand president.
Together, they changed the idea of a celebrity salon. They designed the main Kim VÅ salon on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, a place that was praised for its "retro-chic" style. The salon was a reflection of their relationship: it combined Kim's classic, elegant hair artistry with Adeel's playful, fashion-driven style. When Kim was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Adeel took on the role of his main caregiver and strongest supporter.
After Kim passed away in January 2026, Adeel's public comments showed a man who was not only a world-famous figure but also a "loved husband and best friend" who faced every challenge with dignity. Their marriage stands as a symbol of the strength found in shared goals and constant support during life's toughest times.