Everything about it was strange. If she was okay, why wouldn’t she answer any of us?
Why wouldn’t she have told me where she was going?
Jasmine
I didn’t know what to think. The police have been wrong before, even in these high-profile cases—especiallyin these cases, in fact. There was a lot of public pressure on them to find Ryan, but they confirmed point-blank that they had spoken to Ryan and she was perfectly fine, just taking some time off for herself.
The official statement we released was very passive and generic. I mean no offense to Mari and her team—what else could we do? Going against the police would have incited a riot, and it was not a good look if Madcap had lost track of its biggest star. People were already developing conspiracy theories about the NYPD and LAPD covering up cult activity and kidnappings. We had to saysomething. But we also had to hedge our bets in case news came out later that ... well, that Ryan was not actually okay at all. I think it was something along the lines ofRyan is pursuing new stuff at this time and requests that you leave her the hell alone,but worded better, of course.
It wasn’t my gut instinct that she was—well, hurt, or something. Maybe I’ve just been in denial. But I did wonder if there had been some kind of ... break. That happens, you know.
She had been under immense pressure, most of her life, really. And sometimes, after long enough, people sidestep from one reality into another.
Hollywood ReportMagazine, October 2018
The music industry is buzzing about the alleged disappearance of pop singer-songwriter Ryan Holding following her Video of the Year win at MTV’s Video Music Awards.
Sources close to Holding say that they have been unable to get in contact with the singer since that night, and she has not been seen or photographed in or around her New York or Malibu homes.
“The New York Police Department spoke with Ms. Holding at Midtown North Precinct on the morning of September 23,” said NYPD Chief of Police Michael Holmes. “We spoke with her again by phone at the urging of her colleagues. Both times, Ms. Holding was safe and healthy, and expressed a desire to take some time off after spending many years in the spotlight.”
But some say the statement doesn’t add up, especially when Holding expressed intentions to attend the VMA after-party at the penthouse suite of industry peer Victor!a and never showed.
“I didn’t see her that night at my place,” Victor!a toldHollywood Report. “And I haven’t been able to get in touch with her since. I really hope she’s okay.”
It is unclear whether Holding’s label, Madcap Records, was aware of any plans by the singer to take a hiatus. The company released the following statement this morning:
“We at Madcap Records celebrate Ryan Holding’s historic VMA win and the deep loyalty and touching concern of her fans. Ryan is pursuing new endeavors at this time and requests privacy and patience as she enjoys a well-deserved rest and works toward her next major creative project.”
Teen StarMagazine, October 2018
Runaway Ryan?
Pop legend Ryan Holding is said to be missing after sweeping the VMAs and disappearing into the night. Is it a case of a runaway star or foul play?
“I saw her at the VMAs, and we had a great time catching up,” said Tyler Michaels, one of Holding’s previous beaus. “But she was acting strange, really jumpy. I wondered for a second if she might be on drugs.”
“She was totally spaced out,” said Savannah D’Alessio, close friend of Ryan. “She was going to come to the after-party with us, but when we got in the limo, she wasn’t there. I don’t know if she took something or if someone slipped her something again. It’s so sad, you know, how the rules don’t apply anymore once you’re that rich. I’d been really worried about her. I just hope she’s okay.”
Fans across the nation have banded together to share clues and compare notes on social media and in person, determined to find the missing star.
“I’ve got my whole school involved,” said Amy Waltz, 17, of Cleveland, Ohio. “We’ve got people DMing her on socials, trying to find clues in her music videos and press coverage, and contacting anyone in Ryan’s circle they can get a hold of. It’s really exciting, actually. It’s like we’ve got our own detective agency, and we’re connected to people around the world who are concerned for Ryan and want her to be brought home safe.”
Will their hard work pay off? Only time will tell.
Until then,Teen Star Magazinehas opened up our tip line and is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to Ryan Holding’s whereabouts.
Twenty-Four
Elyse James,Author
I’ve intentionally removed myself from this narrative as much as possible because this is a story about Ryan, after all. Ryan overshadows my own career as well as my brother’s. Her disappearance eclipsed Wilder’s estrangement, and yet it is, I believe, the key to his departure.
While everyone was focused on finding Ryan Holding, I was trying to find my only brother. If the police were no help to a celebrity billionaire, you can bet they were no help to me. I rushed home to Los Angeles after the VMAs. When Wilder wouldn’t pick up the phone, I went to his apartment and badgered the landlord until my driver’s license and a photo of the two of us together, along with his final email—which suggested he was about to stop paying rent—convinced him to let me inside.
The place was clean and bare. Not empty. His quilt was on the bed, his dress shoes and a few old clothes were in the closet along with his old blue duffel bag. His cupboards held some food, but anything important or perishable had been cleared out. Nothing in the fridge. Keys and wallet, gone.
His phone, however, remained on the kitchen table, switched off.
