“She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.”
Tributes have been pouring in for RuPaul’s Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne, who passed away yesterday.
The performer, who appeared on the eighth series of Drag Race and the third series of Drag Race All Stars, died in hospital yesterday following a battle with pneumonia. She was 34-years-old.
Chi Chi, real name Zavion Davenport, was living with scleroderma, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition where the immune system attacks the tissue around internal organs and blood vessels.
Chi Chi was admitted to hospital last month with suspected kidney failure and high blood pressure. She was admitted again last week, informing her fans that she was going to undergo dialysis.
“Hey guys, I’m back in [hospital],” she said on social media. “Currently battling pneumonia so I’ll be MIA for a few more days,
“Keep me in your prayers, I’ll be back soon.”
RuPaul Charles and countless other drag queens including Bianca Del Rio, Lady Bunny, and Yvie Oddly have led the tributes for Chi Chi on social media.
"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
This is…rough. Rest in power
— Yvie Oddly (@OddlyYvie) August 20, 2020
Rest in Power! ? So sad and heartbroken to hear of the passing of #chichidevayne you’ll be loved and missed sis! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sYEIRMZ5u9
— Heidi N Closet (@HeidiNCloset) August 20, 2020
I once went on tour with #ChiChiDevayne, who told me that many women in her Louisiana church could put Jennifer Hudson's singing to shame. I hope these ladies send her off in style, bc she was one of the nicest @RuPaulsDragRace queens I ever worked with. RIP.
— LADY BUNNY (@LADYBUNNY77) August 21, 2020
This is so heart-breaking ?? RIP Chi Chi DeVayne ? My heart goes out to all of Chi Chi’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/g6ZXoF2RAO
— Pandora Boxx (@ThePandoraBoxx) August 20, 2020
Rest In Peace now my beautiful sister #chichidevayne im heart broken.
— Roxxxy Andrews (@RoxxxyAndrews) August 20, 2020
Chi Chi appeared in the eighth series fo Drag Race, finishing fourth.
Louisiana born, she later said that the show “changed everything in my life.”
“Everything has turned in a different direction,” she said. “Before, I was just like, ‘What’s a good job that I could get here in town, working in a factory.’ It’s crazy.”
Chi Chi is the second Drag Race contestant to pass away in recent years.
Sahara Davenport, who appeared in the second season of the reality show, died of heart failure in 2012.