Overview

• Joshua Blackledge, a 16-year-old TikTok influencer from Newport, North Carolina, passed away on March 18, 2025, with no cause of death disclosed by his family.
• Known for his car content, lip-sync videos, and posts with friends and girlfriend Emmie Gillikin, Blackledge had over 1.1 million TikTok followers.
• A celebration of life was held on March 23, 2025, in Newport, where friends, family, and followers gathered to honor his memory.
• Blackledge, a junior at West Carteret High School, was involved in wrestling and track and had a passion for cars, the outdoors, and helping his family.
• His girlfriend, Emmie Gillikin, shared a heartfelt tribute video on March 20, expressing her grief and reflecting on their relationship.