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Hunter Hardin, an adult content creator also known as burlesque performer LuLu LoveBottom, is being mourned by fans and friends after his apparent death at age 30.
According to Out.com, Hardin died by suicide on Monday, September 7, after sharing a farewell message with his followers on Instagram.
“I love you and I’m sorry I was unable to make it to the end. Goodbye forever. Love, LuLu,” a post shared by Hardin via Instagram on Monday read.
He captioned the post, “Been hurt for the last time by someone I shared my heart with 💔.”
Burlesque performer Asura, who described themselves as Hardin’s “best friend,” later commented on the post with an update, confirming Hardin’s death.
“His roommates broke down his door and called paramedics, but unfortunately it was far too late to resuscitate him,” Asura wrote. “Lulu has sadly passed away and I’m so truly sorry to anyone that knew him. 💔”
In a lengthy Instagram tribute on Tuesday, September 8, Asura remembered Hardin, captioning a series of photos of them together, “Never before, or since, have I met anyone that could light up a room like you could.”
“You’ve touched so many people’s lives with such impact that you’ve spun entire communities through the love and positivity that you radiated,” Asura continued. “Your fearlessness was palpable. Your confidence and ambition constantly raised the bar for you, our community, and those you cherished.”
A former high school football player, Hardin shared with Out Sports in March 2025 about transitioning from sports to burlesque.
“It allows me to identify my femininity with my masculinity. There’s a lot of musculature to what I do. I’m oiled up, but I let myself express my femininity as well. It feels authentic and reflects the journey I saw for myself when I was younger,” he said.
He added, “I’ve dealt with a lot of depression in my life, and sports was relief from that. The gym, practice — I’ll always be a fan because of that.”
In an interview with Queerty that same month, Hardin opened up about his burlesque persona, LuLu.
“A lot of it has glitz and glamour and stuff for queer boys who want [to] be feminine,” he said of his onstage alter ego. “But there’s also a lot of darkness, a lot of emo, Ethel Cain energy. That comes from a lot of pain and suffering. I’m a deep feeler, and I journal a lot. I tie a lot of vampire themes to things. I like to make things a little rough and then a little glitz and glam. I like the juxtaposition of the two. I think it fits my personality.”
“I’m a happy and bubbly person, and I also like to dance around and have some fun. But I’ve also been depressed,” he said. “I’m happy now, and it’s not something I’m shy about talking about. I like to use my art to express those feelings. A lot of it is pain and abandonment, a lot of suffering through romance. Things like that. I live in two different realms.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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