Diana Oh, Affectionately Known as “Zaza,” Remembered as a Radiant Beacon of Creativity, Love, and Unshakable Presence

It is with profound sorrow and reverence that we reflect on the life and legacy of Diana Oh, a cherished individual known by many as “Zaza,” who passed away on June 17, 2025. Their untimely departure has left a deep void in the hearts of family, friends, colleagues, and an extended community that found light, warmth, and inspiration in everything they were.

Diana’s passing is not just the loss of one person—it is the quiet extinguishing of a singular, luminous spirit that radiated love, truth, and artistry in ways that few ever could. For their brothers, Soobin and Han, Diana was not only family, but an unwavering source of joy, creativity, and solidarity. And for the countless others whose lives they touched—through their art, advocacy, and presence—Diana was a guiding star, a compassionate voice, and a force of transformative energy.

A Life Rooted in Art, Identity, and Love

Diana was widely known for their ability to fuse art and advocacy, expression and vulnerability. Whether through performance, writing, visual mediums, or conversation, they opened up spaces for those who often felt unseen or unheard. Their work was not simply artistic—it was a living, breathing embodiment of their identity and their love for others.

Those closest to Diana describe their work as intensely personal and deeply rooted in love—for their culture, their identity, their queer community, and the act of self-expression itself. Through their performances and presence, they explored the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and trauma—not as abstract themes, but as lived experiences that deserved to be heard and held with care.

They were a storyteller in the truest sense: someone who didn’t just recount narratives, but gave breath to forgotten voices and paved the way for others to follow. They made spaces more inclusive, conversations more honest, and gatherings more sacred.

Their creative spirit was matched only by their emotional depth. Friends often recall how Diana’s mere presence could shift the energy in a room. Whether in a packed theater, an intimate circle, or a quiet moment with a friend, they carried with them a grace and authenticity that made people feel seen and safe.

A Devoted Sibling and Family Pillar

To their family, Diana was a grounding presence—a confidant, a mentor, and a fiercely loyal sibling. Their relationship with their brothers, Soobin and Han, was marked by deep affection and mutual support. The trio shared an extraordinary bond, one that was woven through years of shared experiences, growth, and unconditional love.

Those who knew them as a family witnessed a closeness that was inspiring in its simplicity: late-night talks, collaborative creative projects, shared meals, and countless hours spent just being together in the comfort of familial understanding.

Diana’s love for their family extended beyond words. They often channeled their devotion into art and action, finding ways to express what many struggle to say aloud. Whether through letters, performances, or small gestures, their love was constant and unwavering.

In the wake of their passing, their family is not only grieving the physical absence of Diana, but also the emotional, spiritual, and creative energy they brought into every space they entered. The loss is immeasurable, the silence left behind deafening.

A Community United in Grief and Celebration

As news of Diana’s passing spread, tributes began to pour in from every corner of the community—friends, fellow artists, collaborators, mentors, students, and admirers. Some shared photos from shared moments on stage or in creative spaces; others wrote long, heartfelt messages detailing how Diana’s art and advocacy changed their lives.

Many described Diana as a revolutionary—not in a distant, theoretical sense, but as someone who showed up for others with real, tangible love. They were at rallies, in classrooms, on social media, and at dinner tables—wherever they could be to stand up for justice, to listen deeply, and to offer healing.

Their presence in queer, trans, and BIPOC spaces was both empowering and magnetic. Diana didn’t just create art that spoke to these identities—they created communities and safe spaces where people could breathe more easily, love more openly, and dream more boldly.

In the wake of tragedy, those communities are now coming together to celebrate the life they were so blessed to have shared with Diana. Memorials, vigils, and artistic tributes are being planned in several cities, with friends and collaborators determined to keep Diana’s memory alive through the very tools they themselves so masterfully used: music, movement, storytelling, and truth.

A Voice That Will Never Be Forgotten

Diana’s legacy is one that will live far beyond the span of their earthly life. They were a creator, but also a healer. A performer, but also a listener. An activist, but also a friend. Every facet of their identity added richness to the world around them, and the echoes of their impact will reverberate for years to come.

Their performances were not acts—they were invocations. They didn’t take the stage to impress, but to connect. To remind audiences that pain is not shameful, that joy is a radical act, and that authenticity is sacred.

One friend described watching Diana perform as “watching a soul reach out and hold your own.” It is a sentiment echoed by many—those who left their shows in tears, with open hearts and fresh perspective, forever changed by what they had witnessed.

Even in death, Diana continues to be a source of wisdom. Their writings, recordings, and creations are being revisited, shared, and taught—each one a gift, each word a reminder of the love they poured into the world.

The Unbearable Weight of Grief, The Enduring Strength of Love

Grieving Diana’s passing is an ongoing process. There is the initial shock, the unbearable absence, the questions without answers. But in the midst of that pain, there is also deep gratitude—gratitude for the time shared, the lessons learned, the beauty witnessed.

Their loved ones are holding tightly to each other, finding solace in the memories and teachings Diana left behind. And while no words can fully encapsulate the depth of their loss, the collective grief being shared is itself a testament to just how deeply Diana was loved.

They taught people how to live more fully—how to be real, how to stand in their truth, how to build spaces where love was more than a word. And for that, their community is forever indebted.

Carrying Forward the Flame

In the spirit of everything Diana believed in, their loved ones are now turning their focus toward honoring their legacy in meaningful ways. Plans are underway to create a scholarship fund or community arts initiative in their name—something that can support emerging artists and activists in the spirit of the work Diana held so dear.

There are also conversations around archiving their body of work—performances, essays, interviews, and poems—to ensure that future generations can learn from and be inspired by the courage and creativity that defined their life.

In this way, even in death, Diana continues to offer something invaluable: a blueprint for love, resilience, and authenticity.

In Loving Memory

Diana Oh—Zaza to those who loved them most—was a force unlike any other. They danced through life with an energy that defied expectation, loved with a heart unbound by fear, and created with a spirit that lit up every room they entered.

Their memory is now woven into the lives of those they touched. In every performance that dares to be vulnerable, in every gathering that centers love, in every voice that speaks truth to power—Diana lives on.

Though they are no longer here in body, their spirit remains present in the echoes of laughter they shared, the tears they helped dry, the stories they told, and the joy they made space for. And it is that presence—unshakable, tender, and transformative—that will continue to guide and inspire all who were lucky enough to have known them.

Rest in power, Zaza. Your love, your art, and your truth will never be forgotten.