So much has happened in the past couple of weeks that it’s hard to remember how Trump utterly smeared and deeply offended people who lost loved ones to covid. He was so tone deaf, so arrogant in his statements after being diagnosed and treated that it was staggering, even for him. He tweeted “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.” Amanda Kloots is the widow of Broadway star Nick Cordero, who passed away at just 41 this July after an over three month battle with the virus. Amanda spoke out about how awful it was of Trump to tell people not to be afraid of a virus that had taken her husband’s life and over 210,000 lives at that point (222k now). She said it was “a gut punch” and “such an insult” and brought it all back. She also talked about how the virus “dominated” small businesses and workers who lost jobs and livelihoods and said Trump owed America an apology.
Amanda and her baby, 16-month-old Elvis, are covering the new issue of People Magazine. Amanda told People the ways she shows Elvis who his dad is, by showing him photos and singing his songs. It was sweet and sad and just reminds people that there families who have lost so much.
It’s been three months since Broadway star Nick Cordero died from complications of COVID-19 at 41 years of age, and his wife Amanda Kloots is opening up about the ways in which she honors her late husband every day.
Kloots, 38, and her 16-month-old son, Elvis, often start their mornings by playing some of Cordero’s music and every night, before bed, they look at photos of him.
“We say goodnight to Dad and give Nick a kiss,” Kloots tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story, on stands Friday.
Kloots says even in her darkest times, it’s her son who always cheers her up.
“Anytime I’m sad, he brightens my mood in two seconds,” she says. “He looks at me with his big smile and his little teeth, and I’m instantly transported into a different mood.”
The fitness instructor and founder of AK! Fitness says she already sees the similarities between her husband and her son. “Elvis is just calm and cool. He gets along with everybody. I think that’s very much Nick,” she says.
Her home is filled with mementos of Cordero — a rug in the living room has the title of Cordero’s song “Live Your Life” on it; a painting of the family, made by one of Kloots’s Instagram followers, hangs on the wall, and a pillow on the couch is covered in printed photos of him.
Kloots says she feels Cordero’s positive energy watching over them.
“We have this beautiful little boy that we created together,” says Kloots. “I love watching him grow, and I know Nick is watching him too.”
People has a video with Amanda where she gushes about Elvis and it’s sweet. They likely put Amanda on the cover right ahead of the election because she’s been so open about her husband’s illness and tragic death. Look at that headline “Widowed by Covid-19.” I bet the fact that she spoke out against Trump made their editors pick her. (Amanda does have a memoir coming out, but not until next year.) So many people think covid is no big deal because they haven’t been affected by it. For those who haven’t yet learned the hard way, maybe Amanda’s story will help bring it home. I’m really interested to see who People picks for next week’s cover.
As an aside I’ve actually worked out with Amanda and didn’t realize it until now! She has a dance fitness segment with PopSugar that I’ve done. It was tough but fun. Her choreography was just the right level of challenging too. She has on demand and live workouts available through her website for only $9.99 a month.
His little cowboy boots. 😭 I’m devastated he is growing up without his dad, but it sounds like she is honoring his memory in the best way possible.
That popsugar video was what introduced me to her and I’ve been following her on Instagram ever since. I remember the wedding, the pregnancy, and all the photos she would post of him. I followed her daily updates of Nick’s hospital stay and when he died it was the first time I ever cried over the death of someone I didn’t know. Beyond heartbreaking.
That death really brought the pandemic home to me. I remember it was also around the time that the public heard of Elijah McClain. I cried over that too. Sign of the times I guess.
This is such a sad story. I was shocked by Nick’s death and I feel so bad for his family. Covid is unpredictable. That’s part of what makes it so scary.
My heartfelt condolences to Amanda, Elvis, and everyone else devastated by this pandemic.
I lost my husband when my children were adults, and it is immeasurably sad. To lose a parent when the children are babies is unimaginable. And freaking AVOIDABLE had this pandemic been dealt with in a reasonable manner.
My American friends, pleasepleaseplease vote!! It matters. We want to open our borders to you again. I have family in the States I can’t see until things get better!
Your loving Canadian/American friend.
Their story is just heartbreaking.
Nick was in the hospital for THREE MONTHS before he passed away. I cannot imagine the pain and exhaustion Amanda and the family went through.
I pray for her often. My heart aches for her and that sweet baby boy. The Cheeto and his buddies have got to go. Voted Blue in Georgia! Hopefully we can flip it!