Dream Street's Chris Trousdale dies of coronavirus

Singer and actor Chris Trousdale has passed away at the age of 34. Trousdale’s death is reportedly linked complications from COVID-19, though the precise cause of death remains unconfirmed.

Trousdale was a member of the short-lived teenage boy band Dream Street. The group also featured Jesse McCartney, who went onto pop superstardom after the group’s dissolution in 2002. Producers Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow formed Dream Street in the late-’90s, having observed the immense success of groups like Backstreet Boys NSYNC and 5ive.

The group’s members were all scouted from New York’s Broadway acting scene. Trousdale started acting on Broadway when he was just ten years old and landed roles various staple productions such as Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz and Les Miserables alongside Ricky Martin and Lea Michele.

Dream Street’s lineup solidified around Trousdale, McCartney, Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie Galasso. They signed a deal with Atlantic Records and released their debut, self-titled album in 2001. While the record enjoyed decent chart success in the USA, gaining Gold certification, Dream Street weren’t long for this world.

The group’s second and final release was the 2002 soundtrack to the film The Biggest Fan. Trousdale starred in the film as himself, appearing opposite Kaila Amariah as his biggest fan. The rest of Dream Street had cameo roles, but the film’s release was halted due by legal proceedings that ultimately led to the group’s breakup. Trousdale’s post-Dream Street career was stop-start, comprising a haphazard solo career and appearances in TV shows like Days of Our Lives and Lucifer.

McCartney posted an extended tribute his late band mate on Instagram. The post gives credence to the report that Trousdale’s death was a result of COVID-19. “Chris had an explosively charming personality with boundless amounts of talent. Together we made up two of the five members of a boyband called Dream Street,” wrote McCartney.

“We were young kids with budding talent who shared an overwhelming love for music and performing. Chris, in my opinion, was the most popular among us, who had a way of drawing every eye to what he was doing on stage.”