Celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation passed away at a Los Angeles fitness centre on Valentine’s Day
Sheridan Smith’s former boyfriend, Graham Nation, has tragically passed away at the age of 39 after collapsing at a Los Angeles gym on Valentine’s Day.
The celebrity hairstylist, who briefly dated the Gavin and Stacey star in 2017, was found unresponsive on 14th February at a fitness centre in LA. His cause of death remains under investigation, according to the L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner.
Nation, whose real name was Graham Cheek, is survived by his partner, makeup artist Tonya Brewer, and their six-month-old son, Romeo.
A brief romance with Sheridan smith
Nation and Smith were first linked in August 2017 when they were spotted together in Notting Hill, London. Their romance quickly gained attention, with the couple later enjoying a romantic trip to Paris.
The Cleaning Up actress once described Nation as her “dream man”, sharing a now-deleted Instagram post with the caption:
“Look how fit my man is #punching.”
Despite their whirlwind romance, the relationship eventually ended. At the time, sources revealed that Smith had deeply fallen for Nation, and his departure left her feeling lonely.
“Sheridan doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to relationships. She really fell for Graham, and he was living with her a few weeks after they started dating,” an insider told The Sun.
However, their breakup was said to be amicable, with Nation remaining a supportive presence in Smith’s life.
A star-studded career in hairstyling
Beyond his brief relationship with Smith, Graham Nation was well known in the Hollywood beauty industry. Over the years, he built a successful career as a sought-after celebrity hairstylist, working with a long list of A-list clients.
His impressive client roster included:
- Demi Moore
- Jared Leto
- Venus Williams
- Catherine O’Hara
More recently, he had been styling for:
- Madison Beer
- The White Lotus star Meghann Fahy
- Writer and actress Erin Foster
Tributes pour in from friends and clients
Following his sudden passing, Erin Foster, creator of the Netflix romantic comedy Nobody Wants This, paid tribute to Nation on her Instagram Story.
Sharing a touching photo of Nation with his young son, she wrote:
**“I cannot stop thinking about and missing @grahamnation. He left behind a six-month-old baby.
We shared diapers and sleep training tips. He was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about his partner Tonya and what she must be going through, losing her partner and now raising their son alone.”**
She also encouraged followers to donate to a GoFundMe page that has been set up in support of Nation’s family.
“Please consider donating and sharing, $20 makes a difference!” she wrote.
GoFundMe launched to support his family
Nation’s close friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Tonya Brewer and baby Romeo during this difficult time.
The page description reads:
**“With the deepest sorrow, we suddenly lost our beloved Graham on Friday, February 14.
Graham’s passing came completely unexpectedly. His family is left bereft, bewildered, and in a state of tragic shock and sorrow.”**
The tribute continued, highlighting Nation’s dedication to his work and his love for his family:
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**“Graham had an esteemed career as a hairstylist—a true artistic visionary whose creative passions were only magnified by the birth of his son, Romeo, who just turned six months old on the 5th of February.
He had an unparalleled work ethic and, along with his incredible partner Tonya, it was their shared moral values to create and build a legacy for their beautiful budding family.”**
The page also reassured supporters that Nation’s memory would live on:
“As Graham continues to be a ray of light and inspiration, we will continue to keep his legacy alive for his son Romeo.”
Finally, the post urged the public to contribute whatever they could to help Brewer and Romeo navigate life without Nation.
“With the utmost respect, we honour Graham’s family, The Cheek family, who raised him to be the wonderful son, brother, and friend we have all known and loved.”
A life and legacy remembered
Graham Nation’s sudden passing has left the Hollywood beauty industry, his loved ones, and the celebrity world in mourning. While his career saw him work with some of the biggest names in entertainment, his most cherished role was that of a devoted partner and father.
As tributes continue to pour in, it is clear that his impact—both professionally and personally—will be remembered for years to come.
