Oliver Tree's mother is sharing the bittersweet final moments she had with her son just one day before the singer's tragic death-and the story is as heartbreaking as it is unmistakably Oliver.
Speaking at the late artist's Celebration of Life memorial in Santa Cruz over the weekend, Christine Nickell recalled the last FaceTime call she shared with the 32-year-old musician before he was killed in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14.
The emotional revelation came with a dose of the quirky humour that made Tree famous. Christine said she had texted her son to check whether he had kept his promise to quit smoking while on tour. Instead of a reassuring update, Tree immediately FaceTimed her and playfully blew a huge puff of cigarette smoke directly into the camera.
Despite the joke, Christine said her son was in wonderful spirits.
"He was so happy and excited about life that day," she told the crowd. Tree excitedly shared his plans to take a helicopter ride to a mountaintop home where he intended to spend the next day creating TikToks and making music with friends. According to his mother, he loved filling every day with unforgettable adventures.
Christine described Tree as a "sweet and mischievous child" who was constantly eager to run toward his next adventure, saying the overwhelming support from fans following his death has brought immense comfort to the family.
The memorial itself reflected Tree's larger-than-life personality. Three mannequins dressed in his trademark colourful jackets, cowboy hats, sunglasses and iconic bowl haircut were displayed in coffins at the front of the venue-a fittingly bizarre tribute to the artist's offbeat humour.
But his family also revealed another side of the eccentric performer. Whenever Tree unveiled new music, everyone was expected to sit silently, put away their phones, and give his work their complete attention.
"If you didn't, he'd shut it down and you'd get the wrath of Oliver," Christine joked, drawing laughter from those who knew exactly what she meant.
The celebration also featured tributes from friends including Diplo, who called Tree "the coolest person" he had ever met, and Logan Paul, alongside a touching video montage chronicling the singer's life from childhood through his meteoric career.
One particularly emotional clip showed a teenage Tree confidently declaring that people often underestimate their own potential.
The memorial concluded with a reminder that Tree's creative legacy will continue. Proceeds from the event will benefit Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Grant for Baby Geniuses, a foundation established by his estate in accordance with his will to support emerging artists-ensuring that even after his untimely death, his passion for creativity will inspire the next generation.
