The United States former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, Chi Chi DeVayne, has been confirmed dead by medical experts at age 34 after a brief illness.
Having been hospitalized earlier this year for suspected kidney failure, DeVayne was readmitted at the hospital with pneumonia recently where she was confirmed dead.
Before her death hours ago, Chi Chi appeared in a video where she confirmed her admission to hospital and appealed that the fans’ prayers were seriously needed for survival.
DeVayne, who was born Zavion Davenport, appeared on two series of the hit reality show, in 2016 and 2018, but after the last show, she was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition that causes the body’s connective tissues to scar and harden.
Confirming her death, the family through a statement made available to newsmen, described her death as shocking and appealed to all patients in hospitals not to surrender to any ailment.
Leading the flood of tributes, the organizer of the reality show, RuPaul, paid glowing tributes to the drag queen and said that her legacy would remain relevant for several years more years.
RuPaul of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, through a statement on its official social media handle, stated that her contribution to the entertainment industry would remain a reference in decades.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all.”
The winner of the most recent series of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Shea Couleé, said: “I’m devastated and sick to my stomach. Wake me up when it’s all over.”
The Louisiana-born performer came to prominence during the eighth season of Drag Race, which aired in 2016. DeVayne also appeared on the third season of All Stars.
Baga Chipz, a finalist on the first series of the United Kingdom (UK) version of the show, described the deceased as kind and assisted in its recovery recently.
We're heartbroken to learn that Chi Chi DeVayne has passed away today. Her drag spread a message of love and kindness that truly touched each person she met.
Rest in power, Chi Chi. pic.twitter.com/AlTwGR71OU
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) August 20, 2020
"I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne.
I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul.
She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all." –RuPaul (1/2) pic.twitter.com/iN3oT3R2dG— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) August 20, 2020
