If you spent any time watching Fast N' Loud on Discovery, you know exactly who Christie Brimberry is. She was the "Zookeeper." The woman who kept Richard Rawlings in check and made sure Gas Monkey Garage didn't descend into total anarchy. But then, she seemingly vanished. One minute she’s managing the chaos of a world-famous hot rod shop, and the next, the cameras are gone, the show is over, and the internet starts whispering.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. Is Christie Brimberry still alive? Yes, she is very much alive in 2026.
However, the reason people keep asking this isn't just idle curiosity. Christie has been through a literal battle for her life that most fans only caught glimpses of on social media. It wasn't just "reality TV drama." It was a grueling, terrifying fight with cancer that changed her voice, her career, and her entire outlook on life.
The Health Battle That Sparked the Rumors
The confusion about whether Christie is still with us usually stems from her 2016 diagnosis. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and it wasn't a simple "in and out" procedure. During the surgery to remove the cancer, doctors discovered it had spread to her lymph nodes and even part of her trachea.
They had to cut a nerve to her larynx.
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For a woman whose job—and TV persona—relied on her voice and her ability to command a room, this was devastating. She spent months in total silence. She couldn't speak. She had to use a tube for a while to breathe and heal. When you’re a public figure and you suddenly go silent, the internet does what it does best: it assumes the worst.
By the end of 2017, Christie shared the news everyone was waiting for: she was officially cancer-free. But the road to that "all-clear" was paved with chemotherapy and surgeries that took a massive toll.
Where is Christie Brimberry in 2026?
Honestly, she’s living a life that looks a lot different than the Gas Monkey days. She hasn't returned to the high-octane world of reality TV, and it seems like that’s a very conscious choice.
Christie is still based in Texas. If you follow her on Instagram or Facebook today, you won’t see her shouting over the roar of a 1967 Mustang engine. Instead, you see a woman who has prioritized her family and her health. She’s been very open about her fitness journey, often posting "Work Hard Wednesday" updates to encourage her followers.
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Life After Gas Monkey Garage
A lot of people wondered if there was "beef" between her and Richard Rawlings. While Fast N' Loud ended its massive run in 2020, Christie had already started stepping back before the final curtain call. She has remained part of the "Gas Monkey family" in spirit, but she’s moved on to her own ventures.
- Family First: She’s been married to Darren Brimberry (a successful hair stylist in Dallas) for years. Much of her life now revolves around being a mother to her six children (four with Darren and two from a previous marriage).
- Modeling and Confidence: In a move that surprised some fans, Christie took up modeling in her 50s. After surviving cancer and the "body-shaming" that sometimes comes with being a woman on television, she’s used her platform to show off a renewed sense of confidence.
- Health Advocacy: She hasn't just moved on from her cancer; she’s used her experience to push for better health screenings. She famously told her fans, "If you think something might be wrong with you, GO TO THE DOCTOR."
Why the "Death Hoaxes" Keep Popping Up
In the age of AI-generated clickbait and "tribute" videos on YouTube, Christie Brimberry has unfortunately become a frequent target for fake news. You’ve probably seen those videos with titles like "Tragic Update" or "The Final Days of Christie Brimberry."
These are almost always scams designed to get ad revenue. They take old footage of her in the hospital from 2016 and repackage it as if it's happening right now. It's frustrating for fans and likely exhausting for her family.
The reality is that Christie has outlived the show that made her famous. While Fast N' Loud is a memory of the 2010s cable TV era, Christie is focused on the "now." She’s healthy, she’s cancer-free for nearly a decade, and she’s active on social media.
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What Really Matters: The Actionable Takeaway
Christie Brimberry’s story isn’t just a "where are they now" piece of trivia. It’s a pretty intense reminder of how quickly life can pivot. She went from being a TV star to not being able to speak in the span of a few months.
If you’re a fan of Christie or just someone looking for the truth, here is what you should actually do:
- Ignore the "Rest in Peace" Clickbait: If it’s not coming from her verified Instagram or a major news outlet, it’s fake. Christie is active online; if something happened, she (or her family) would be the first to share it.
- Take Your Health Seriously: Christie’s thyroid cancer was caught because she paid attention to her body. Thyroid issues are often overlooked. If you have persistent hoarseness, a lump in your neck, or unexplained fatigue, get it checked.
- Support Her Current Path: She’s no longer the "Zookeeper" at Gas Monkey. If you want to support her, follow her fitness journey and her modeling work. She’s reinvented herself, and that’s a lot harder than just staying in the same role forever.
Christie Brimberry is a survivor, a mother, and a Texan through and over. She’s not gone; she just changed the channel.