The groundbreaking hair artist known as “the best blonder in the business” — celebrity colorist, entrepreneur, and TV personality Kim Vō — has succumbed to cancer at 55, his husband Adeel Vō-Khan has announced.
“My beloved husband, best friend, partner in life & business, Kim Vō, has taken his final breath,” Vō-Khan posted to social media on Sunday, Jan. 25.
“Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, he fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro and his incredible team at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home.”
Vō’s lengthy roster of A-list clients included Britney Spears, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Pamela Anderson, Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Silverstone, Rachel McAdams, and Kate Hudson.
A global ambassador for major beauty brands such as L’Oréal and Schwarkopf Professional, Vō became a celebrity himself after appearances on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover,” Bravo’s “Shear Genius,” and CW’s “The Look: All-Stars” with Tori Spelling.
An early adopter of modern hair-painting methods, Vō became known for pioneering haircolor techniques he shared in his “Kim Vo on the Go" and "Mad About Hue” columns for American Salon from 2006-2009.
Vō owned and operated several salons throughout his career, culminating in his full-service Kim Vō Salon in West Hollywood in 2019. The bungalow-style space capitalized on his love of interior design and architecture, incorporating nature in the decor and offering an outdoor station to give clients a sense of tranquility in the middle of a hectic city.
Born in Saigon in 1970, Vō and his family escaped during the 1975 Vietnamese evacuation and lived in Europe for a few years before moving to the U.S. His mother, a nail technician, introduced him to the beauty industry.
As a youth, Vō learned English from the T.V. shows “Dukes of Hazzard” and “Wonder Woman,” he said in earlier interviews, before launching his career in top Beverly Hills salons such as Cristophe.
Vō took the art of coloring hair to new heights by pioneering such techniques as “American tailoring,” blending the traditional foil look and balayage; “smudging,” to blur the line of demarcation between highlights and natural roots; and “lacing,” a deconstructed Italian-inspired method incorporating backcombing between foils to create a soft, natural sun-kissed effect.
Vō’s talent and innovation led Vogue magazine to anoint him “the best blonder in the business.”
Saying he wanted to leave a legacy of joy, positivity, and health-focused vigilance, Vō had requested donations in lieu of flowers to his Kim Vō Foundation that supports hair, beauty, and fashion professionals battling cancer.
Vō-Khan shared his late husband’s words on the foundation’s website:
“I’ve been incredibly lucky. I’ve experienced love, happiness, and meaningful relationships on and off screen. I don’t need anything more, but I do want to use the platform, knowledge, and success I’ve worked so hard for to help others.”