Dove Cameron Is Getting Candid About the Loss of Cameron Boyce: ‘I Still Learn From Him Every Day’

Healing after heartbreak. Dove Cameron opened up about the loss of her friend Cameron Boyce in the latest issue of Seventeen magazine. “If there was a word stronger than ‘devastated’ that could describe the depth of the pain that I was feeling, I would use it,” said Dove, 23.

The Disney star worked alongside Cameron in the Descendants franchise and gushed about his talents and genuine character. “Cameron was my friend and he treated me, like he treated everyone else, like they were the most important person in the room,” said Dove. “I loved him like a brother, and I learned from him every day, how to be joyful, how to be resilient, how to be patient, no matter the circumstances. I couldn’t begin to quantify the wisdom and generosity that this kid had. I still learn from him every day.”

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Dove recalls being so excited to work with the late actor and predicted that they would become the best of pals. “I had always thought, ‘damn, what a charismatic, bright and brilliant kid,’” she said. After the two signed their contracts for the Descendants, ­Dove recalls running to Cameron and giving him a big hug. In that moment she said to him, “This is going to sound so weird, but we’re about to do this new thing together, and I’m going to hug you, because I can promise you now, we are going to be friends.”   

The Liv & Maddie star said she found comfort from her castmates and close friends she shared with Cameron. “Me, Booboo [Stewart], Cam and Sofia [Carson] still have our core four group chat active and open, as we have for five years. It’s hard when there are no adequate words to express the pain we are all feeling, but the usual text is ‘love you.’ Or ‘are you eating?’ Or ‘how are we all today?’” shared Dove. “I think something like this horrible loss makes you realize how important you are all to each other. I am grateful for my chosen family at a time like this.”

Many stars close to the late actor, including Dove, paid their respects to the young performer taken too soon. The blonde beauty previously made a lengthy video disclosing her feelings after the horrible incident. Cameron passed away at the age of 20 on July 6. It is confirmed that the Disney star died unexpectedly due to epilepsy.