Tributes pour in for The Crown and Barbie movie make-up artist, 26, killed in two-car crash

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:16, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 21:20, 3 August 2026 Tributes have poured in for The Crown and Barbie movie make-up artist who was killed in a two-car crash. Ava Gillies was driving her white Volkswagen Polo near Wrelton, North Yorkshire, at 1.30am on July 29 when a black Audi A4 driving in the opposite direction collided with her. Sadly, the 26-year-old hair and make-up stylist was pronounced dead at the scene by the emergency services.  Five people in the Audi A4 were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries but none are believed to be life-threatening. Ms Gillies' family issued a heartbreaking statement about their 'beautiful daughter, sister and granddaughter,' who worked on shows including Bridgerton, Barbie and The Crown. The tribute read: 'Ava, we will always, always miss you, your wit, your charm, your beauty, your feisty confidence, your many talents and your excellence in your field: hair & makeup for film and TV.' Her family said that they were proud of her achievements, including becoming a Bafta Connect member and her hair and make-up roles. They continued: 'What's becoming clearer with every passing day is you were loved by so many people outside the family, your friends and the community in which you were raised. Successful hair and make-up artist Ava Gillies, 26, died on July 29 after a black Audi A4 hit her white Volkswagen Polo Ms Gillies's family paid tribute to their 'beautiful daughter sister and granddaughter'  'We take great comfort from the comments, cards and messages from people within the film industry and their expressions of love and respect for your talent. Ms Gillies studied at York College before she went on to train at Delamar Academy of Make-up and Hair in London where she graduated in 2018. After leaving the academy, Ms Gillies went on to work on some of the film industry's biggest shows and movies. Her impressive IMDb portfolio credits her involvement with 29 projects during her career.  She worked in the make-up department for the 2022 reboot of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile and the superhero flick Wonder Woman 1984. Ms Gillies was also part of the hair and make-up team on the sets of Star Wars: The Acolyte and fellow Star Wars universe spin-off, Andor. Aside from her roles in blockbuster films and television shows, she was a designer for the Enzo Fernandez ambassador collaboration with Bing X. Delamar Academy paid tribute to Ms Gillies and said they were 'broken-hearted' by the news of their former student's death. 'Ava was an exceptionally gifted artist, and has been successfully building her career since training at Delamar in 2018.'  'Ava was a kind, creative, hardworking and lovely person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.'