She had been hospitalised in mid August 2020 amid complications from her scleroderma diagnosis. Her loss is devastating. RuPaul shares "the biggest lesson I learned" on "RuPaul," a daytime talk show airing in seven markets around the U.S. for three weeks. Chi Chi DeVayne starred on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2018. Some types are relatively mild and may eventually improve on their own, while others can lead to severe and life-threatening problems. Chi Chi DeVayne, a beloved drag queen who shot to fame on the RuPauls Drag Race franchise, died Thursday in her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. She may not have won her season, but she won the heart of viewers and became an international star, going on to tour and performing in cities like Rio, Los Angeles and Montreal. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada, which "Keep me in your prayers, Ill be back soon.". Im sending love to her family, her friends and her fans. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fan Favorite Chi Chi DeVayne Dies At 34 Rest in Power. closed in 2021. I was always a little performer. Zavion Michael Davenport was born on September 24, 1985, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Alberteen Wyandon and Zan Davenport III. That laugh of hers was the sound of her beautiful spirit. The drag queen, whose real name was . On Thursday (August 20), news broke that fan-favorite RuPaul's Drag Race queen Chi Chi DeVayne, who appeared on season 8 of the show and on season . Audiences packed into the Central Station nightclub to cheer her on, in hopes she would deliver on hersignature backflips. DeVayne began her drag career in her native Shreveport, Louisiana, where she was known locally prior to her 2016 debut on Drag Race. DeVayne's first name, Chi Chi, was inspired by the character Chi-Chi Rodriguez from To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!Julie Newmar, and the surname DeVayne came from the DeVayne drag family of Shreveport. The symptoms of scleroderma can usually be controlled by a range of different treatments. "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. [2] Prior to appearing on Drag Race, Davenport worked two nine-to-five jobs to support himself. ET. 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. Most deaths (79.5%) were from causes other than respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. [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". I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. Sahara Davenport, who appeared on the shows second season, died in 2012 at age 27. He had a sister, Brittany; a brother, DaRico Wyandon; and two half-brothers, Zachary and Zamien Willis. . 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. Corrections and clarifications: An earlierversion of this story had an incorrect title for Joe Patterson and diagnosis date for DeVayne. So just trying to be a beacon of light in these times has been the main focal point of my platform right now.". DeVaynes road to stardom began in her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. Her death comes after the Drag Race star was hospitalised last week with the lung disease. The cause of death was not immediately reported. RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne begged for prayers from her hospital bed. Chi Chi was previously also hospitalised in July with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure, telling fans she was to undergo dialysis treatment. Age: 86. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. For the twenty countries currently most affected by COVID-19 worldwide, the bars in the chart below show the number of deaths either per 100 confirmed cases (observed case-fatality ratio) or per 100,000 population (this represents a country's general population, with both confirmed cases and healthy people). Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34; 'RuPaul's Drag Race' favourite Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 She was a star & without her the world has less sparkle. RuPaul's Drag Race's Chi Chi DeVayne begs for prayers in - mirror [30][31][32] In 2022, director Stephen Dunn announced that DeVayne was meant to play the character Bussy on Queer as Folk, but she was replaced by Armand Fields after she died. 480k Followers, 1,143 Following, 541 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chi Chi DeVayne (@chichidevayneofficial) chichidevayneofficial. The date and cause of death were not . Read our privacy notice. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, best known for appearing on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, has died aged 34. The cause of death was not immediately reported. In life years lost, COVID-19 outpaces other common causes of death in U Other RuPauls Drag Race veterans, including Peppermint and Sasha Velour, expressed their sympathy on social media. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. As I sat across the table, I remember how perplexed he was by my sparkly pink socks. In a series of Instagram videos, DeVayne said she had tested negative for COVID-19 but was believed to be suffering kidney failure."I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi . She was 34 years old. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. My uncle used to stage talent shows with all us cousins, and my mom saw something in me. "Such I caring, empathetic and beautiful soul. Drag Race alum Chi Chi Devayne dead at 34. She was 34. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 Chi Chi DeVayne, Fear Not: You Are Unforgettable | HuffPost Life What's the least exercise we can get away with? "May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all. DeVayne, cuyo . There's no cure for scleroderma, but most people with the condition can lead a full, productive life. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, ChiChi died after being admitted into hospital, Chi Chi is known for RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars. Read about our approach to external linking. [33] Dunn stated that he set the series in New Orleans due to his longtime friendship with DeVayne. And when you think about what makes television outstanding, I think about stories and the way that television can move you and impact you. 1,143 following. Following the news of DeVayne's death, many took to social media to express their condolences. GLAAD remembered DeVayne as "an incredible performer and such a bright light" in a tweet Thursday. "Well, knowing that she is so similar to me in so many qualities, it just means I'm doing the right thing. DeVayne, whose non-stage name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on season eight of the . The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on patterns of interpersonal violence across the world. Chi Chi, whose non-stage name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on season eight of the show, as well as season three of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She had completely surprised herself. In her early days as a drag entertainer, she was a regular performer at the . When she walked through the door, she was nothing like I expected. COVID-19-related MODS had a median time from ICU admission to death of 14 days (25th-75th IQR: 7-19 days), while only one death had occurred during the first 3 days since ICU admission. "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne," said the host. [2] He described parts of his upbringing as rough: he carried a gun, got into trouble, and joined gangs. There are several different types of scleroderma that can vary in severity. RuPaul (2/2)". She had me in gymnastics, and I was in a dance company in my twenties. Check out these locals who made it on reality tv shows. She was an easy person to like: someone who found pleasure in surprisingly down-to-earth things like gardening and her cat, Maddox, whom she would watch on her security cam when she was out of town. Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. If any of my sisters see this and are interested please let me know.". But, a scleroderma diagnosis in 2018 created further division between Chi Chi and Zavion. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Julie Newmar, and the surname DeVayne came from the DeVayne drag family of Shreveport. Gone much too soon. Two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Chi Chi DeVayne has died at the age of 34, TheWrap has confirmed.DeVayne, real name Zavion Davenport, was hospitalized last month with an undiagnosed illness. DeVayne has died at age 34. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dead at 34 - WTHR That charismatic personality and fearlessness we all saw on TV was noticeably muted out of drag. [7], DeVayne competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016. Chi Chi had also been in and out of hospital following suspected kidney failure. . Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, best known for appearing on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Chi Chi DeVayne death: How did the RuPauls Drag Race star die and what is scleroderma? "I wish there was more I could do to help out her family in her honor or something. Davenport, whose stage name was Chi Chi DeVayne, competed on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race and one season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Chi Chi's lip sync to Dreamgirls' And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going is also considered iconic in Drag Race history. DeVayne is the second Drag Race contestant to have died since the shows 2009 inception. Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34 On Thursday, after being hospitalized for several days, Chi Chi died of pneumonia at age 34. Who Is Chi Chi DeVayne? 'Drag Race' Star Dead At Age 34 - Hollywood Life See All . She put herself on the global map with appearances on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. I love you Chi Chi. RuPaul paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was "heartbroken" to learn of her death. 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. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard | WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19 Certain site features have been disabled. RuPaul breaks silence following Chi Chi DeVayne's death aged 34 "Our season is super deserving of that Emmy because it's for outstanding reality competition, right? DeVayne's death was announced on August 20, 2020. she has inspired so many and she has changed this community forever. It's so entertaining, and the entertainment value from the show is just one of those things that we really, really needed in a time when people were just locked away at home.". Cause of death: COVID-19-related complications. The symptoms of scleroderma can usually be controlled by a range of different treatments. ", "With COVID and all of the ways the world has literally been falling apart at the seams in 2020 and the way that 'Drag Race' in a lot of ways held so many people together, it connected people who were so far apart. [19][28], Celebrities including Padma Lakshmi,[21] Ross Mathews and Miss Coco Peru paid tribute to DeVayne. It comes after she was hospitalised with pneumonia last week where she asked fans . Chi Chi DeVayne Dies: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion - Deadline CHI CHI DeVayne's death has left fans of RuPaul's Drag Race in mourning. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Chi Chi DeVayne The RuPaul's Drag Race alum died at age 34 after battling pneumonia, scleroderma and other health problems. [EXPLAINER]Canadas Drag Race star Ilona Verley talks her exit from the show[VIDEO]Councils apology after outraged parents slam drag queen school visit[INSIGHT], "she spoke up for all the disheartened poor kids, and she dominated every stage she set foot on. [3] In 2018, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition. I first got to know the Drag Race alum when I reached out as a fan via Instagram. DeVayne described it as a chronic, incurable illness that causes the skin to tighten and thick scar tissues to form around internal organs, impairing their ability to function. DeVayne, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, appeared in the eighth . Chi Chi DeVayne World of Wonder. The drag queen, whose real name was . please check our, Week after week, she gave the show everything she had: back flips, front flips, lip-synching while twerking in an upside-down, A post shared by Chi Chi DeVayne (@chichidevayneofficial), A post shared by the other stephen dunn (@notstephendunn). By the time a U.S. adult lives to 65, they are unlikely to die . The news came days after the performer, known offstage as . (She was also constantly on watch to see who was stealing her mail it was almost compulsive!) Her drag mothers were Kourtni DeVayne and Lady Phat Kat. Love you, Chi Chi. According to EW, the artist was recently hospitalized with suspected kidney . Don't miss a beat. The classically trained dancer, known . The glamorous star often shared details of performances and travels around the world, as well asbehind-the-scenes footage, on social media. RuPauls Drag Race star Chi Chi Devayne has died at age 34. This year, the tone of her posts took a turn when the entertainer began giving medical updates. Rest in Power pic.twitter.com/a69JK8wvvT, So much light, kindness, and creative talent. |. Chi Chi DeVayne dead :Chi Chi's cause of death is yet to be revealed, Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34, Chi Chi DeVayne dead: Earlier this week Chi Chi post to her Instagram saying 'keep me in your prayers', Drag Race Canada recap: Who is Anastarzia Anaquway? The reality star was wearing a hospital gown during her latest Instagram update. She was diagnosied with scleroderma back in 2018. [13] The next year, she toured with A Drag Queen Christmas,[14][15] and she was subsequently a cast member of several international live shows featuring Drag Race contestants. 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. The NHS reports that scleroderma is an uncommon condition that results in hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with internal organs and blood vessels.. "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. She was 34. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Queen talks exit. We all love you and will miss you. The death of DeVayne is just another rough moment for 2020. Chi Chi Devayne Courtesy of VH1. "I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. ", English drag queen Cheryl Hole, who appeared on "RuPaul's Drag Race UK," tweeted that DeVayne "was such a light during her season and beyond. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Tributes have been paid to "kind and beautiful soul" Chi Chi DeVayne after the drag queen's death at the age of 34. Earlier this year, Chi Chi lip-synched in the final scene of an episode I made for the anthology series Little America, called The Son. She fought through her pain at the time to deliver a chilling performance that shook the entire cast and crew. Related Accounts. [19][20] DeVayne credited her experience on Drag Race with helping her heal from some of the difficulties of her past.[2]. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' stars remember Chi Chi DeVayne: 'Her legacy will He also expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, and he stated that he was undergoing dialysis treatment. Chi Chi DeVayne, a competitor on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died at the age of 34. She finished in fourth place, but was invited to take part in the spin-off show RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, which aired at the beginning of 2018. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Another wrote: "The legacy that chi chi has left in our community is everlasting. Her first stint on RuPaul's Drag Race was aired in 2016, where she impressed the judges with her ingenuity and quick wit. Chi Chi, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on two seasons of the popular show "RuPaul's Drag Race" and quickly became a fan favorite. '", "It shows the impact that we left this year. She finished in eighth place. Cause of death: Complications from COVID-19. Contestants on the show perform lip syncs when they are at risk of elimination. Chi Chi was incredibly kind and caring to her friends and family, even while battling pain and decreased mobility. American drag performer Chi Chi DeVayne, known offstage as Zavion Davenport, died Thursday at 34. "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne . Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne in hospital with suspected kidney RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has died. Her future was bright. Family members confirmed DeVaynes death on Instagram, but did not disclose the cause. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes.