Akilah Hughes

Akilah Hughes Instagram – Every time I think I am ready to post about this painful loss, I get overwhelmed by the need to say everything and do a good job. Casey knew that about me; that I would rather take years to say something perfect that couldn’t be misinterpreted or misunderstood. It drove us both crazy when she was publishing my book for Penguin. But I have so much to say and one post would never contain all that Casey meant to me. She was the first friend I met at UCB. It wasn’t just that she had great lipstick and taste, but that she was so naturally funny and almost in spite of herself. I mean she was already pretty and cool and smart. But Casey was all the things.Our class show for 101 collided with Santacon and the audience was full of Santas, and the suggestion was “Santa” and the show was so so bad. But at least I got to meet her. It was wild years later to be hanging out with @schmoyoho (who I also met serendipitously after winning tickets to see Childish Gambino at an airbnb upstate), and have him excited for me to meet his brother and his brother’s girlfriend, only to spot Casey across the way at a fashion week show. When I asked Michael “wait, is Andrew dating Casey?” We both smiled so big because obviously you were both so lucky and obviously immediately so in love. The next time we met I was in the lobby of MTV’s tribeca office and you were too. Apparently Penguin was sharing the building, and we both needed lunch. And what came from several lunches was a deep friendship that spanned my own physical illness, cross country book tours and moves, and my favorite event we ever attended: The Bowie exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum opening. We were both concerned about the attire but thankfully boas were encouraged and she didn’t fight me on taking the black feather one I grabbed from a Spirit Halloween. All this to say, Casey, your life was so beautiful and you’re one of the few people who always made me feel better, more full of potential, and more grateful for small moments. My life was changed the moment we met, and I’m so sad I hadn’t been back to New York in so long. I’ll miss you forever, and love your family always. Rest well. The world is better because you were here. | Posted on 18/Nov/2023 23:37:27