- Written by Annabelle Rackham
- culture reporter
image source, Cat Janice/Instagram
Janice the cat continued to perform after being diagnosed with sarcoma
Cat Janis, an American singer who rose to fame on TikTok, has died at the age of 31 from cancer.
Janice, who released the song 'Dance You Outta My Head' from Hospice Care, was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancer of bone or soft tissue, in March 2022.
During her treatment, she revealed that she had transferred the rights to her music to her 7-year-old son, Lauren.
Her family said they are “forever grateful for the outpouring of love” they have received.
“Kat has seen her music go places she never expected and rests in peace knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through music,” they said.
“This would not have been possible without your help.”
image source, Getty Images
Cat Janice and 7-year-old son Lauren in January
Her music video also received 57 million views online.
Janis (real name Katherine Ipsan) began writing and producing music as a teenager and released music in her 20s.
She kept her social media followers updated about her treatment options after her diagnosis.
Four months later, after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Janice was told her cancer was gone, but in June 2023 it returned to her lungs.
“Bringing joy”
“I have been fighting hard, but the sarcoma is too strong.
“I reset all my music to give it to my son, and I wanted to put out another song for his birthday.
“I want the last song to be something that brings joy and fun.
“That's all I ever wanted throughout my battle with cancer.”
In another video update, she told her followers, “The tumor basically tripled overnight.”
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She said she was keeping her songs “for my son” and encouraged her followers to download her music to protect her son's financial future.
According to the New York Times, Janice, a native of Washington, D.C., spent her last few weeks at home baking and making music when she had enough energy.
Her husband, Kyle Higginbotham, said he hopes her music career will be remembered as more than just a “sob story.”
“It's not just something. I wrote the song because a girl was dying of cancer,” he said.
“Kat was a true artist and poured her whole life into this work, right up until the very end.”
