"If there was a word stronger than devastated that could describe the depth of pain that I was feeling, I would use it."
Dove Cameron has opened up about the aftermath of "Descendants" costar Cameron Boyce's death. Speaking with Seventeen, the actress revealed how she found out the young actor died, following an epileptic seizure on July 6.
"When I heard about Cameron, I had just woken up early in a London hotel room to the sound of my phone ringing off the hook," the actress told the publication. "I was nervous about why I could be getting so many texts and calls, so I only looked at my mother's text. I knew she would be the gentlest, and the most concise, whatever it was."
Dove Cameron Breaks Down Over Death of 'Descendants' Co-star Cameron Boyce in Heartbreaking Video
View Story"It explained what had happened and I immediately phoned Boo Boo [Stewart], who had already called me twice," Cameron continued, referring to her fellow "Descendants" costar. "We just sobbed without speaking. If there was a word stronger than devastated that could describe the depth of pain that I was feeling, I would use it."
Dove said the two first met after they signed onto the original film in the Disney franchise, which came out in 2015. She had always been a fan of Boyce's from seeing him on "Jessie," thinking he was a "a charismatic, bright and brilliant kid."
They clicked immediately and, according to Cameron, Boyce treated her -- as he did all his friends -- "like they were the most important person in the room."
"I loved him like a brother, and I learned from him every day, how to be joyful, how to be resilient, how to be patient, no matter the circumstances," she added. "I couldn't begin to quantify the wisdom and generosity that this kid had. I still learn from him every day."
Disney Star Cameron Boyce Dead at 20 -- Hollywood Celebrities, Disney Co-Stars and Fans Pay Tribute
View StoryShe also told the publication that she, Stewart, Boyce and Sofia Carson have a group text that is still "active and open." They've had it going for five years now.
"It's hard when there are no adequate words to express the pain we are all feeling, but the usual text is 'love you.' Or 'are you eating?' Or 'how are we all today?'" she explained. "I think something like this horrible loss makes you realize how important you are all to each other. I am grateful for my chosen family at a time like this."
"Descendants 3" will air on the Disney Channel this Friday, August 2.