This morning, from her childhood home and surrounded by her loving family, Catherine peacefully entered the light and love of her heavenly creator.”
Cat Janice. You might not have heard of her before last year, but since January 2024, her popularity skyrocketed after a song she wrote for her son, titled «Dance You Outta My Head,» that went viral on TikTok. Sadly, she died on February 28th.
@pictoline Vuela alto; baila en el cielo ✨🎵🩵 #CatJanice #danceyououttamyhead #wewilldanceagain #LegadoMusical ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
In 2022, Catherine Janice Ipsan received a devastating diagnosis: sarcoma, a form of cancer that develops in the bones or soft tissue. After a few months, doctors delivered the news that they had beaten the disease, and she was in the clear. However, just a year later, the cancer returned, and in January, she was given a terminal diagnosis, with little hope for further treatment.
It was then that she decided to marry her boyfriend and write the song to leave something behind for her son, who would soon lose his mother. “I am grateful to share this little song, which we came up with in the car one summer day, with my child. I will miss you all very much, and I want to listen to live music and play as much as possible. I will work very hard to rise again and perform live, as long as God grants me time,” she said before her passing. However, she did not manage to fulfill this wish.
Cat’s story touched the hearts of thousands of users, who quickly shared her song and the reason why they were sharing it. It quickly went viral, and we could hear the song everywhere.
‘I want my last song to bring happiness and joy to you all! It’s all I’ve wished for during my battle against cancer,’ she said when she was already in palliative care. ‘I would love to tell you these words, but lung cancer stole my voice. So, the only favor I ask of you is to keep my last song. I thank you and pray that you enjoy the song. I’ll see you in heaven,’ she added at that moment. And people responded.
@jarredjermaine The origin of this viral sound: Dance You Outta My Head from Cat Janice #viraltiktok #titkoksound #catjanice #danceyououttamyhead ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
@cost_n_mayor Replying to @Eli, Lilly and Birdie if you ever learn one of our dances MAKE IT THIS ONE!! We are so moved to see this JAM blowing up in support of @Cat Janice ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
@meredithduxburyCat Janice has been battling cancer and has signed over the rights of this song to her 7 year old son. All the proceeds will go to him! Praying for them both 🤍♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
“We are eternally thankful for the outpouring of love that Catherine and our family have received over the past few months,” the family wrote. “Cat saw her music go places she never expected and rests in the peace of knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through her music. This would not have been possible without all of you.” continued the announcement of the singer’s passing.
As mentioned earlier, «Dance You Outta My Head» is a song she wrote for her seven-year-old son, Loren. She wanted to leave him something that would provide financial support in the future when she was no longer around. Its reception was so overwhelming that the song even made it onto the top of Billboard’s ranking of the most popular songs on TikTok in the U.S.
“I never thought I would live to see the day where my art is #1 Billboard charting,” she wrote on Instagram. “Thank you. Thank you for giving us this moment at such a time.” With Cat’s passing, her brother will now be managing her musical legacy and her social media accounts.