Michael Stein, one of Britney Spears‘ longtime dancers, died Dec. 23 at age 32. No cause or location has been given for the death, which just came to light today, Deadline reports.
The news was delivered by his partner, Kaylie Yee, via social media on Wednesday, Jan. 10, Stein’s would-be 33rd birthday.
“I’m not sure I could ever find the perfect words to summarize what Michael meant to me,” Yee wrote in an Instagram caption “As tears roll down my face, all I can think about is the incredibly huge hole that is left in all of us, knowing that he is no longer here.”
Yee said that she and Michael Stein, her “best friend” had been together for “10 years of adventure, laughs, love and living out our dreams in L.A.”
Michael Stein served as the dance captain on Spears’ Piece of Me tour in 2018, and performed with her during her Las Vegas residency.
His resume also included work with Kylie Minogue, Dove Cameron, and Little Mix, and appeared on the TV shows Glee, American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Yee continued her tribute post: “With all of the beautiful moments, of course there were hard times, but he never lost his passion for L.A. or his dedication to the industry. This is what he was always sure about and what I admired most of all. Michael, in honour of you, I promise to never give up, to keep fighting for the dream, and to keep living for the best moments in life.”
Spears has not yet publicly commented.