Weeks after David Babaii passed away, the former 'Grey's Anatomy' star explains why she chose to pay a tribute to the beauty expert through the special program.
- Oct 14, 2021
AceShowbiz - Former "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl has set up a grant to benefit animal shelters as a tribute to her late hairstylist David Babaii.
The actress has taken to Instagram to reveal she's come up with a fitting tribute for the beauty expert, who passed away last month (September 2021) - a special program to help with the care of shelter pets. And the first grant will go to the Lenoir County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in North Carolina.
"The @jasonheiglfoundation will establish 'David's Grant' to help small, rural, struggling shelters, to fund spay/neuter and vaccine programs with the goal of getting as many animals adopted as possible," Heigl wrote.
She and her mother founded the Jason Heigl Foundation in 2008 to honor Katherine's late brother.
"David will be deeply missed," the "27 Dresses" star concluded. "Though he needs no help from me in leaving a legacy of greatness behind, I'd like to add a little something to that great legacy and do something for companion animals in his honor and in his name. David was a true and loyal champion for the pets of our world and this grant is for him."
In the post, Heigl has also shared her grief over the sudden loss. "I'm having a hard time imagining this world without David. He was a small guy (he'd be the first to tell you!) but the biggest personality and heart in the business," she noted. "His talent was legendary."
"He could make you laugh with nothing more than a look and a raised eyebrow. He could lighten your load with an effusive outpouring of love and support. He could make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world armed with nothing more than a hairbrush some hairspray and his overflowing heart."
Babaii also tended the tresses of other stars including Kate Hudson and Reese Witherspoon.
