Backflips and drop splits were now out of the question even just putting on a pair of tights or getting on stage was sometimes a struggle. Mortality in the most affected countries. People from all around the world were so excited about this season," Hall added. ", "She always showed how being humble, honest and your true authentic self will get you far!" The TV personality, 34, returned to hospital with pneumonia just days ago after she had a short stay with . [25][26] During that time, he made his final social media post, a video asking fans to keep him in their prayers and promising to "be back soon". . Minutes before I sat down with "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 12 stars Jaida Essence Hall (who won) and Heidi N Closet (who snatched the sash for Miss Congeniality), news of the tragic death of Chi Chi DeVayne broke. She was diagnosied with scleroderma back in 2018. View our online Press Pack. In a photo posted to Chi Chi's Instagram story this week, the performer said: "Hey guys, Im back in. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all.. The talented drag star is thought to have passed away due to complications from pneumonia. 541 posts. The TV personality, 34, returned to hospital with pneumonia just days ago after she had a short stay with suspected kidney failure in July. By the time a U.S. adult lives to 65, they are unlikely to die . U.S. deaths from COVID-19 so far, compared to top 10 U.S. causes of death in 2019. I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. The show's host RuPaul mourned her passing. "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. August 21, 2020 - 12:16 BST Emmy Griffiths. Chi Chi was the OG Unconventional Materials Queen who could literally spin trash into treasure and who gifted us with the greatest, most heartfelt . DeVayne, whose off-stage name was Zavion Davenport told . "I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul," he said in a statement, posted on the show's Twitter account. RuPaul (2/2)". "And so I was like, hopefully things will turn around. Earlier this year, DeVayne revealed she had been diagnosed withscleroderma in an interview onHey Qween. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. She was 34. Assault is the leading preventable cause of death, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and associated mental health problems. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. DeVayne, whose non-stage name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on season eight of the . Former contestants and fans of the show also paid tribute to Vhi Chi. Before filming, the incoming Ru-Girls typically incur a massive personal debt to hire designers and buy materials to prepare for the shows gruelling challenges. Her future was bright. Scleroderma is an uncommon condition that results in hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with internal organs and blood vessels. 4 According to provisional data, in 2020, there were notable changes in the number and ranking of deaths compared with 2019. She had been hospitalised in mid August 2020 amid complications from her scleroderma diagnosis. Keep me in your prayers, Ill be back soon. The Louisiana native (real name Zavion Michael . RuPauls Drag Race shifted the landscape of drag, pulling talented queens from their local bars and catapulting them into international stardom. Chi Chi DeVayne came to international attention on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and also appeared on the third season of the All Stars version of the show. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61. It's crazy. Chi Chi became well known after competing on the eighth series RuPaul's Drag Race. Known offstage as Zavion Davenport, DeVayne was remembered by peers as "a caring, empathetic and beautiful soul.". The world lost a charismatic, fearless and inimitable star; I lost a dear friend. "In these crazy and dark times right now, that's truly important. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts, and try to work towards being the symbol of kindness that she exemplified for so many. She had been hospitalised in mid August 2020 amid complications from her scleroderma diagnosis. And there were a lot of limitations, but Chi Chi kept finding new ways to evolve as an artist taking a page from her own book: It doesnt matter what you have, its what you do with it that counts A post shared by Chi Chi DeVayne (@chichidevayneofficial) on Jun 29, 2019 at 8:40am PDT. So just trying to be a beacon of light in these times has been the main focal point of my platform right now.". RuPauls Drag Race star Chi Chi Devayne has died at age 34. [7], DeVayne competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' contestant Sherry Pie disqualified over catfishing allegations. How COVID-19 Deaths Are Counted. The Southern drag queen with an effervescent personality, one-of-a-kind fashions and impressive dance skills was a contestant on the eighth season of the show and the third season of the spin-off, RuPauls Drag Race All Stars.. We find that nearly as many people died of COVID-19 in January and February of 2022 as the . Later in 2018 DeVayne was diagnosed with scleroderma, a condition that attacks the internal organs. This season of "Drag Race" premiered only a few weeks before lockdown began, making it impossible for this batch of new queens to really . As Covid barrels through China, . rest in power.". Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Theres no cure, but most people with the condition can lead a full, normal life, with symptoms usually controlled by a range of different treatments. CHI CHI DEVAYNE - who was best known for starring in RuPaul's Drag Race - has died at the age of 34 after battling pneumonia in hospital. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all.". Zavion explained that in Shreveport, where he grew up and first made a name for himself locally as a Black drag performer, there was no room to express femininity out of drag, not even by putting on sparkly pink socks. "she started with nothing and never gave up. She was 34. The risk of death was higher for survivors of severe COVID-19 than for the uninfected (hazard ratio [HR], 2.50) and those who were mildly ill (HR, 1.87). She was a star & without her the world has less sparkle. Chi Chi lived with a rare condition called Scleroderma. DeVayne's first stint on RuPaul's Drag Race was aired in 2016, where she impressed the judges with her ingenuity and quick wit. Zavion Davenport, best known by the stage name Chi Chi DeVayne, has died, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. [16] DeVayne then appeared on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, which premiered on January 25, 2018. RuPaul, the host of the eponymous reality show, remembered DeVayne in a statement provided to USA TODAY on Thursday. Former "Drag Race" contestant Peppermint tweeted a photo of DeVayne. 480K followers. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all. That has definitely been a plus for us.". There's no cure for scleroderma, but most people with the condition can lead a full, productive life. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, known for her drag-on-a-dime craftiness and Southern Belle persona, has died at age 34. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34; [11] DeVayne made it to the top four but was eliminated before Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls; Bob the Drag Queen won the crown. By Kathryn Ingate 21:37, Thu, Aug 20, 2020 | UPDATED: 23: . Chi Chi Devayne Courtesy of VH1. We were sitting at home during our season, watching along with them, and it gave us that time to talk and chat with them and really make those connections. Chi Chi DeVayne has died of pneumonia. "Outside of the United States, the fans are wild," she told The . Her loyal fan base amounted to 491K on Instagram following her television appearances which rocketed her to a new height of fame. |. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. DeVayne, who hailed from Shreveport, Louisiana, and Closet, who is from Ramseur, North Carolina, both come from self-proclaimed "humble beginnings." [10] Out dubbed the performance one of the series' best lip syncs. I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul, he said in a statement, posted on the shows Twitter page. The reality show catapulted her career and brand. But she didnt surprise me. Last year, at a time when getting into drag had become more of a challenge, the minute she found out my mother went into hospital, she leapt into quick-drag to record a video message to help lift Moms spirits. When she wasnt absorbed in security cam footage, she loved watching camp films, like Little Shop of Horrors and Death Becomes Her, and action movies too disaster movies were her favourite. Other queens from the show have paid tribute to Chi Chi, including Kennedy Davenport, Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne and The Vixen. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. DeVayne, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, appeared in the eighth . Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images. DON'T MISSCanada's Drag Race judges: Who is judge Deborah Cox? She was 34 . Julie Newmar, and the surname DeVayne came from the DeVayne drag family of Shreveport. Days ago, DeVayne posted a brief video from a hospital bed after being readmitted due to pneumonia. Canada's Drag Race: Who are the judges on Canada's Drag Race? RuPaul's Drag Race Chi Chi DeVayne, has passed away at the age of 34. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images/TNS) Santiago . So sad and heartbroken to hear of the passing of #chichidevayne youll be loved and missed sis! I was always a little performer. 2023 BBC. Drag Race star hospitalised with suspected kidney failure, RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne fights pneumonia in hospital, The TV personality, 34, begged fans to keep her in their prayers while she continued her fight against pneumonia, Chi Chi cemented her status as an international star. Scleroderma is an uncommon condition that results in hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with internal organs and blood vessels. Public figure. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Her death comes after the Drag Race star was hospitalised last week with the lung disease. Aug. 20, 2020 6:13 PM PT. RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 release date: When will it air. RuPaul shares "the biggest lesson I learned" on "RuPaul," a daytime talk show airing in seven markets around the U.S. for three weeks. hi Chi DeVayne, an entertainer who competed on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," died at age 34, his mother, Tina Davenport, told CNN. Drag Race alum Chi Chi Devayne dead at 34. Chi Chi was the OG Unconventional Materials Queen who could literally spin trash into treasure and who gifted us with the greatest, most heartfelt, lip sync of all time with Jennifer Hollidays And I Am Telling You Im Not Going.. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all. Now Trump proposals threaten their hopes of U.S. asylum. Assigning a cause of death is never straightforward, but data on excess deaths suggest coronavirus death tolls are likely an underestimate.