Hunter Hardin, a gay adult film star and burlesque dancer, has died. He was 30.
Hardin, who also went by the stage name LuLu LoveBottom, died by suicide on Sept. 7 after leaving a message on Instagram saying goodbye to friends and followers.
Asuras, a close friend, left a statement about his death as a comment on Hardin’s post, letting people know that Hardin died at home and was unable to be resuscitated by paramedics.
“Hey everyone- Lulu’s best friend here,” the comment read. “His roommates broke down his door and called paramedics but unfortunately it was far too late to resuscitate him. Lulu has sadly passed away and I’m so truly sorry to anyone that knew him.”
Johani Montero, another friend who left a heartfelt message on Instagram, called Hardin “one of the happiest and sweetest people I’ve ever met,” before urging people to use his passing as a reminder of the importance of supporting the people in your community.
“If there’s anything this reminds us of, it’s how important it is to be there for one another, especially when someone may be struggling,” Montero wrote. "We can get so used to putting on a facade, acting like everything is okay, and keeping things to ourselves. Sometimes, we don’t even realize how much someone might be going through beneath the surface. So check on your people. Ask them how they’re really doing. Make time for the conversations that go beyond ‘I’m good.’ Let the people in your life know that they don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Someone else in the comments also announced that Hardin’s family is “asking for privacy during this very overwhelming time.”
Hardin, a former football player and high school crew star, combined his love of fitness and sports with his affinity for dance and femininity by becoming a burlesque star.
“It allows me to identify my femininity with my masculinity,” he told Out Sports in a March 2025 interview. “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.”
Hardin also made adult content for his OnlyFans page, and was even photographed nude with Drag Race star Utica Queen.
Further details about his death have not been made available at this time, but Hardin talked with Out Sports about struggling with depression.
“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,” he said.
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.
