That charismatic personality and fearlessness we all saw on TV was noticeably muted out of drag. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. It has since been updated. RuPaul returns to daytime TV for summer test run. Now Trump proposals threaten their hopes of U.S. asylum. Audiences packed into the Central Station nightclub to cheer her on, in hopes she would deliver on hersignature backflips. 1,143 following. Chi Chi DeVayne, a competitor on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died at the age of 34. Read our privacy notice. 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. Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall and Miss Congeniality winner Heidi N Closet sat down with TODAY to reflect on this life-changing last year. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. pic.twitter.com/dlbRex2mNN. The TV personality, 34, returned to hospital with pneumonia just days ago after she had a short stay with . Express. "Honestly, because we were there when drama did happen at the beginning of the season, I was like, 'Oh girl, this is still gonna be a great season,' because we knew the work that we poured into it," she explained. DeVayne, whose given name was Zavion Davenport, told Instagram followers last week she was back in the hospital. Ill be back soon.. 541 posts. RuPaul has paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was heartbroken to learn of her death. Now Chi Chi filmed herself when she was back in a hospital bed battling pneumonia. I would love to have other rule girls a part of yes! Ru Paul paid tribute to Chi Chi DeVayne's "kind and beautiful soul", Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. [6] In her early days as a drag entertainer, she was a regular performer at the Central Station nightclub in Shreveport, where she became known for her backflips. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, best known for appearing on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Zavion Michael Davenport was born on September 24, 1985, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Alberteen Wyandon and Zan Davenport III. She was discharged later that month, but went back to hospital again last week - this time, she said, for pneumonia. But, as her health deteriorated and her fans grew increasingly concerned, she couldnt keep quiet any longer. RuPaul's Drag Race star, ne Zavion Davenport, died this week following a battle with pneumonia. Sahara Davenport, who appeared on the shows second season, died in 2012 at age 27. We became fast friends, and our friendship deepened as we travelled from New Orleans, Chicago and L.A. to Montreal together, while working on various projects, both independently and together. Chi Chi DeVayne, a beloved star of the hit VH1 reality series "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died. "I was hopeful that she would come off this because I have a close friend that's going through a similar situation," Hall, 33, said to TODAY. DeVayne enjoyed using different shades of purple makeup. Another wrote: "The legacy that chi chi has left in our community is everlasting. He had a sister, Brittany; a brother, DaRico Wyandon; and two half-brothers, Zachary and Zamien Willis. You can unsubscribe at any time. RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Chi Chi DeVayne is in the hospital with suspected kidney failure. 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. Her talent was incomparable. People from all around the world were so excited about this season," Hall added. 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.. Rest in Power. 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. [11][25] Two days later, he posted an update on social media, saying, "I let it go too long without going to the doctor, and these are the consequences". "I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. Chi Chi DeVayne, a competitor on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died at the age of 34. The top global causes of death, in order of total number of lives lost, are associated with three broad topics: cardiovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections) and neonatal conditions - which include birth asphyxia and birth trauma, neonatal sepsis and infections, and preterm birth complications. American drag performer Chi Chi DeVayne, known offstage as Zavion Davenport, died Thursday at 34. "[12], DeVayne was interviewed on RuPaul's podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee? We all love you and will miss you. She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. The glamorous star often shared details of performances and travels around the world, as well asbehind-the-scenes footage, on social media. 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, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, revealed in early . RuPaul paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was "heartbroken" to learn of her death. Im thinking we should do a benefit show for her family to help with the costs of her funeral. I loved the flamboyant and inimitable performances of the 'Drag Race' alum, just as I loved her quieter side off-stage. 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 . DeVayne, cuyo . DeVayne, whose non-stage name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on season eight of the . [19][28], Celebrities including Padma Lakshmi,[21] Ross Mathews and Miss Coco Peru paid tribute to DeVayne. More info. "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox. The statement said: "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. Canada's Drag Race: Who left Drag Race? Knowing that she is such a beloved person, it speaks to me," Closet said. During his acceptance speech for outstanding host for a . (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images) Justin Townes Earle. The production company World of Wonder, which produces "RuPaul's Drag Race," also confirmed the news on its Twitter account. Basically my biggest platform right now is to share love and joy to other people," she said. 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. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on patterns of interpersonal violence across the world. 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 world lost a charismatic, fearless and inimitable star; I lost a dear friend. Im sending love to her family, her friends and her fans. 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. RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has died. The drag queen, whose real name was . ", "Absolutely," Closet, 24, agreed. Scleroderma can come in different types, with different levels of seriousness. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The classically trained dancer, known . Dialysis is a procedure to remove excess water and toxins in the blood from kidneys not performing normally. There are several different types of scleroderma that can vary in severity. Keep me in your prayers, Ill be back soon. "And so I was like, hopefully things will turn around. She was previously treated in July for suspected kidney failure. RuPaul has broken his silence following the death of former RuPaul's . [7], The finale episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 13the first to air after DeVayne's deathcontained a tribute segment wherein RuPaul and several former contestants shared memories of DeVayne's life and work. Such I caring, empathetic and beautiful soul.I love you Chi Chi. READ MORECanadas Drag Race star Ilona Verley talks her exit from the show. Don't miss a beat. Among patients 65 years or older, the pattern was similar, but the risk of death for survivors of . You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. And the show was there for them," she explained. Follow. Former contestants and fans of the show also paid tribute to Vhi Chi. Some types are relatively mild and may eventually improve on their own, while others can lead to severe and life-threatening problems. Most deaths (79.5%) were from causes other than respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Chi Chi DeVayne performs onstage during the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Finale Party at Stage 48 on May 16, 2016, in New York City. ", Im heartbroken to hear about the loss of our beloved Chi Chi De Vayne. Courtesy of YouTube. Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34; Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. A post shared by the other stephen dunn (@notstephendunn) on Aug 20, 2020 at 3:28pm PDT. In July, DeVayne was admitted to the hospital for a biopsy after suspected kidney failure. "A lot of people didn't have anyone to talk to or anywhere to go, anything to do. Photo: Santiago Felipe/Getty. rest in power". That laugh of hers was the sound of her beautiful spirit. She had a natural, God-given light within her & she shared it with all of us on Drag Race. [11] DeVayne made it to the top four but was eliminated before Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls; Bob the Drag Queen won the crown. "she started with nothing and never gave up. August 20, 2020 2:55pm. I love you Chi Chi. Chi Chi DeVayne, a popular contestant from the competition reality series "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died following a recent hospitalization for pneumonia. Chi Chi DeVayne death: How did the RuPauls Drag Race star die and what is scleroderma? Family members confirmed DeVaynes death on Instagram, but did not disclose the cause. This trend was seen among both younger (aged <65 years) and older adults (aged 65 years) ( Figure 11 ). One user wrote: "chi chi devayne was a powerhouse. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. [4], DeVayne's first name, Chi Chi, was inspired by the character Chi-Chi Rodriguez from To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Days ago, DeVayne posted a brief video from a hospital bed after being readmitted due to pneumonia. The star also competed in the third series of the All Stars version of the series. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all. August 20, 2020 2:55pm. [3] In 2018, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition. She posted on Instagram last week that she was in hospital for a chronic condition - the second time this year. She spoke openly about her struggles, becoming an advocate for Scleroderma awareness, and she vowed to switch up her drag, adapting to the limitations of her own body. 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. 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?