Ella Bleu Travolta is celebrating the memory of her late mother, Kelly Preston, on what would have been her 62nd birthday. The singer-songwriter, 24, took to Instagram on October 13 to share a touching throwback photo of Preston, who passed away from breast cancer in 2020.
“Happy Birthday, mama. I love you🤍,” Ella captioned the heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a joyful image of her mother.
John Travolta, Ella’s father and husband of Preston, also marked the occasion with a tribute on his Instagram Stories, posting a glamorous red carpet photo of his late wife and writing, “Happy birthday Kelly. We love you!”
Ella’s tribute comes on the heels of her recent single, “Little Bird,” which pays homage to her mother’s memory. The accompanying music video features cherished family home videos showcasing Preston, along with Ella’s father and younger brother, Benjamin, 13.
“‘Little Bird’ is about holding onto those pure relationships that you have with people that you lost and really just listening to yourself and staying true to that relationship with that person,” Ella explained to PEOPLE. “It’s sort of the viewpoint of a mama bird talking to a baby bird and just not letting any other interference get in between it because your true instincts were there all along.”
Reflecting on her mother’s passing, Ella shared that she felt her mom’s presence while creating “Little Bird” and her EP, Colors of Love. “I knew that she was really proud of this whole process and of me,” she said.
The music video serves as a compilation of Ella’s favorite memories, intended to be both authentic and a celebration of life. “I think it’s so important, even when you lose someone, for it to be a celebration of their life because you got the chance to be with that person for as long as you did,” she remarked.
Since Preston’s death, Ella has consistently paid tribute to her mother, who, alongside her father, has been a significant inspiration in her life. Shortly after Preston’s passing, Ella expressed her admiration in an Instagram post, describing her mother as “courageous, strong, beautiful and loving.”
“Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and makes anyone around you feel instantly happy,” Ella wrote at the time. “Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and for making this world a better place. I love you so much mama.”
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