Kailia Posey

{{short description|American beauty pageant contestant (2006–2022)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Kailia Posey

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_name = Kaila Lexis Posey

| birth_date = {{Birth date|2006|04|19}}

| birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

| disappeared_place = Lynden, Washington, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|05|02|2006|04|19}}

| death_place = Birch Bay State Park, Washington, U.S.

| death_cause = Suicide

| body_discovered = May 2, 2022

}}

Kailia Lexis Posey (April 19, 2006{{Cite web |title=Kailia Posey: ¿Quién era la niña que se volvió meme por su mueca? |url=https://www.informador.mx/entretenimiento/Kailia-Posey-Quien-era-la-nina-que-se-volvio-meme-por-su-mueca-20220503-0154.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=El Informador |date=May 3, 2022 |language=es-MX}} – May 2, 2022) was an American beauty pageant contestant and reality television personality best known for her appearance on the TLC show Toddlers & Tiaras.

Career

Posey competed in child beauty pageants from the age of three until her death at 16.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2022 |title=‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ Alum Kailia Posey’s Sweetest and Proudest Photos Throughout the Years |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/toddlers-tiaras-kailia-posey-throughout-the-years-pics/ |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}} She was five years old when she appeared on the fourth season of Toddlers & Tiaras, during which she additionally became the subject of the "Grinning Girl" internet meme.{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2022 |title=How was Kailia Posey's legendary 'grinning girl' meme born? |url=https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/celebrities/2022/05/04/6271b28dca4741cf558b45b3.html |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=MARCA |language=en}} Posey won the title of Miss Lynden, Washington Teen in 2021 and Miss Springfield, Missouri Teen in 2022.

Death

On May 2, 2022, Posey was found dead at Birch Bay State Park in Blaine, Washington. Her death was ruled a suicide by asphyxia from ligature hanging.{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Toddlers & Tiaras star Kailia Posey's cause of death revealed|url=https://ew.com/tv/kailia-posey-toddlers-and-tiaras-star-cause-of-death-revealed/|work=EW.com|accessdate=May 10, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Family of 'Toddlers & Tiaras' star Kailia Posey reveals her cause of death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/family-toddlers-tiaras-star-kailia-posey-reveals-cause-death-rcna27311 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |website=NBC News |date=May 4, 2022 |language=en}}