LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Disney Channel child star-turned-bombshell actor Dove Cameron's father, Philip Alan Hosterman, killed himself in 2011 when she was 15 years old.
Having been "incredibly suicidal" at points in her life, Cameron has urged people to be more open about the subject in an effort to eliminate the "shame and stigma," with the goal of inspiring individuals who have reached their lowest point to get treatment.
"I think it’s important just to say this: I’ve had times in my life when I was incredibly suicidal. And I think that needs to be destigmatized," Cameron told Byrdie magazine.
The actress – born Chloe Celeste Hosterman – further noted, "My father [died by] suicide. I’ve spoken about that a lot. And I always think about how much shame and stigma there is around suicide," per Celebretainment.
Dove Cameron's father had 'a very emotionally volatile life'
Cameron identified her childhood as a unique blend of weird highs and sickening lows. Her father Philip killed himself when she was 15 and her sister, Claire Hosterman, was 22, per Radar Online.
The Disney star has been rather quiet regarding the specifics of his death, but over time, the actress has shared a few insights about her relationship with her father.
Cameron told the outlet, "It's not like that comes out of nowhere. His life was always a very emotionally volatile life for him. And so, as his children, we came along on that ride with him."
Chloe eventually changed her official name to Dove after the 2011 tragedy to honor her father's nickname for her.
She paid a heartfelt yet tragic homage to her father in 2016 by posting a moving tribute on her Instagram page.
A part of the caption read: "You still teach me lessons every day, and make me laugh as the lessons you instilled at a young age begin to settle into my bones and make more sense."
"I love you eternally, and can't wait to see you again, maybe in our next life as we find each other over and over. Forever your best friend, and your little girl," Cameron continued in the caption.
Dove Cameron discovered her father's dark secret
In a July 2017 conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Cameron addressed the death of her father and shared some unexpected details about him.
She remarked about her father at the time, "He took his own life, and he also was closeted, which we only found out after he died."
Cameron claimed to have had an epiphany when she found out her father was gay; it gave her more insight into the tragic circumstance than she could have ever imagined.
She remarked, "When I found that out [that he was closeted], I was like, everything adds up," before characterizing him as sensitive and prone to "bursts of anger."
The 'Descendants' star, who had previously identified as bisexual but now identifies as queer, stressed that changing her appearance is something she enjoys doing to "reclaim" herself.
Talking to Byrdie magazine, Cameron explained: "Me coming out as queer has been something people have definitely focused on, and obviously I wrote a big song about it, so I understand that. But sometimes how you present is a huge statement, a declaration, and a reclamation of who you are."
"[I realized] I can exist in the world and be something that is less universally palatable. And it’s not to be controversial—in fact, I think who I am as a person has not really changed at all," she added.
Cameron doesn't talk much about her father, but she earlier revealed to EW: "I'd really like to write a movie about him one day because my dad was just the most fascinating human being."
