Anika Rashaun's BFF Mourns Her Death, Reveals Details Of Her Diagnosis After A 'Strange' Back Pain

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American reality television personality, podcast host, and dating coach, Anika Rashaun, passed away at the age of 34. Anika was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and after a year-long battle, she passed away on October 1, 2026. The reality TV personality, who grabbed attention with her appearances in MTV's The Real World and The Challenge got married only a few months back; however, destiny had other plans, as the gorgeous and strong woman passed away after giving cancer a shoulder-to-shoulder fight.

Now, her best friend, Tiara Ramos, sat for an interview with PEOPLE and mourned Anika's death, while sharing details about her diagnosis. Tiara and Anika had been inseparable, and in the recent interview, the former revealed how her friend helped her even when she was dealing with her own health struggles. Tiara works as an HR professional in a tech company and is married with two kids. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer, just six weeks after Anika's shocking diagnosis.

Anika Rashaun's best friend, Tiara revealed the former's shocking diagnosis following back pain

Tiara and Anika were called soulmates, given the fact that they had been inseparable since eighth grade; however, their diagnosis with breast cancer felt to them like a 'strange twist of fate'. While Anika had stage-4 breast cancer, Tiara was diagnosed with stage 1, and the two best friends, while channeling their experiences, launched a podcast, Breast Friends Forever. Speaking about the same, Tiara revealed:

"People often joked that Anika and I were intertwined and soulmates who did everything together. Us getting breast cancer at the same time felt like a strange twist of fate in life. Our cancer journeys fueled us to start a podcast, Breast Friends Forever, to share our stories and make sure other young women advocated for themselves and understood their risk."

Anika was the one to be by Tiara's side, when the latter's mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer. The best friend stood like a strong pillar by Tiara, even when she lost her mother, and decades later, she also had to face something similar. In 2025, Anika was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the diagnosis came months after her 'strange and intense' back pain.

Anika's passing left her followers in grief, and they have been offering condolences to her family. One of her last social media posts featured moments of her wedding with Kyle Walker-Reh. Even before she could step into her first anniversary, she passed away.

Coming back to the interview, her friend, Tiara said Anika initially thought it was a nerve pinch or fracture. However, when an X-ray also didn't show anything suspicious, Anika decided to have an MRI done, which eventually revealed that the reality TV personality had breast cancer that had spread through her spine, causing a fracture in her back.

Tiara was by Anika's side through her journey with her health battle, and she recalled being in the hospital, and her friend kept on fighting. Recalling seeing her friend in a wheelchair, Tiara said:

"Just a few months prior, she was dancing and enjoying life at her engagement party and then suddenly she was in a wheelchair and learning how to walk again. I slept in the hospital room with her and tried to keep her comforted as she learned more about her cancer. Anika was scared while in the hospital, but her fighter spirit was there the entire time. She amazed me with how she kept going even through the challenges of hearing extremely scary medical news and her determination and spirit to beat cancer no matter what.”

Anika Rashaun's mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer

Tiara talked about feeling empty and lost after losing her best friend, and one issue that continued to weigh on her is the possibility that Anika's diagnosis could be detected earlier. She revealed that Anika's mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago; however, she was not told that she was considered high risk, nor was she asked to have special screening done. According to Tiara, earlier screening or genetic testing might have changed the course of Anika’s diagnosis.

What do you think of Anika's friend Tiara's heartbreaking revelations?

Photo Courtesy: Tiara/People

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