Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. last year, with only heart disease and cancer killing more people, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control . ", "Absolutely," Closet, 24, agreed. Her first stint on RuPaul's Drag Race was aired in 2016, where she impressed the judges with her ingenuity and quick wit. A post shared by the other stephen dunn (@notstephendunn) on Aug 20, 2020 at 3:28pm PDT. I love you Chi Chi. [3] In an interview on RuPaul's Drag Race, he said, "Girl, I've seen people shot. She was 34. ", "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. During January-September 2022, 80% of COVID-19 . The date and cause of death were not . RuPaul paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was "heartbroken" to learn of her death. DeVayne, cuyo . At the time, I was working in New Orleans, doing research for the Queer As Folk reboot, for which one of the lead roles was written specifically for Chi Chi. 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.. So sad and heartbroken to hear of the passing of #chichidevayne youll be loved and missed sis! The star also competed in the third series of the All Stars version of the series. RuPaul paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was "heartbroken" to learn of her death. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. Some fans have drawn a comparison between DeVayne and Closet, not only because of their lip-synching talents but also because of their origin stories. Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. Chi Chi was incredibly kind and caring to her friends and family, even while battling pain and decreased mobility. But also, that desperate desire for connection has made "Drag Race" an even brighter rhinestone in the dark. See All . "Also show that there can be kindness out there in the world, even in these crazy times. Everything has turned in a different direction. The talented drag star is thought to have passed away due to complications from pneumonia. 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, 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 was truly a legendary queen. "I wish there was more I could do to help out her family in her honor or something. Some types are relatively mild and may eventually improve on their own, while others can lead to severe and life-threatening problems. Now Trump proposals threaten their hopes of U.S. asylum. And this shows in the numbers. ", Bianca Del Rio 'daunted, excited' for Wembley gig. Unfortunately, fan favorite Chi Chi DeVayne -- arguably the best performer out of this season's crop of girls -- didn't make the cut. "I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. 5 COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2020, with an estimated 345 323 deaths, and was largely responsible for the . RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 release date: When will it air. [2], As a child, Davenport took classes in ballet and in West African and modern dance. Trinity "The Tuck" Taylor,a contestant from"Drag Race" and "Drag Race All Stars,"floated the idea of a drag benefit show to raise funds for DeVayne's funeral. The Louisiana native (real name Zavion Michael . Following her time on the show, DeVayne embarked on a number of domestic and international tours, and she was featured on several web series about drag. "Currently battling pneumonia so Ill be MIA for a few more days.". The median time from ICU admission to death was 15 days (25th-75th IQR, 7-27 days). She was 34. RuPauls Drag Race star Chi Chi Devayne has died at age 34. Always open with her fans, her camera was rolling when she underwent dialysis. She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. [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. Chi Chi DeVayne World of Wonder. [7] Many fellow Drag Race contestants also expressed condolences; these included Aja, Alexis Mateo, Alexis Michelle,[22] Aquaria,[10] BeBe Zahara Benet,[22] Bianca Del Rio,[10] Cheryl Hole,[7] Detox,[27] Farrah Moan,[22] Heidi N Closet,[21] India Ferrah,[22] Jaida Essence Hall,[29] Kennedy Davenport, Mont X Change, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Ongina, Pandora Boxx,[22] Peppermint,[7][25] Priyanka,[22] Roxxxy Andrews,[21] Shea Coule,[22][25] Tatianna,[27] Trinity the Tuck,[7] Trixie Mattel[10] and The Vivienne. Chi Chi DeVayne World of Wonder. The news came days after the performer, known offstage as Zavion Davenport, was reportedly hospitalized with pneumonia. For other inquiries, Contact Us. "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. She was diagnosied with scleroderma back in 2018. Fans of Chi Chi have since taken to social media to pay tribute. Drag Race: The most political, troubled season ever? She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. The drag queen, whose real name was . As Chi Chi DeVayne, the performer rose to national prominence on Season 8 of RuPauls Drag Race in 2016, returning two years later for RuPauls Drag Race: All-Stars. Earlier this year, she appeared on the Apple TV+ series Little America., She spoke of her interest in branching out into a variety of artistic mediums in a 2016 interview with HuffPost, saying she ultimately wanted to be known as a damn good performer that came from nowhere and took the world by storm., I think people are becoming more receptive to the alternative styles of drag, she said. She was taken to hospital in July - she told her followers on Instagram it was for kidney failure. [2] Prior to appearing on Drag Race, Davenport worked two nine-to-five jobs to support himself. With so many people sitting at home, some people have no jobs People are really struggling. 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. RuPaul is paying tribute to Drag Race queen Chi Chi Devayne, who died at the age of 34 in August. She was 34 years old. She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. [33][34], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 18:48, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! As Covid barrels through China, . Check out these locals who made it on reality tv shows. (As a "Drag Race" super fan myself, this year I found myself especially looking forward to Fridays more than ever before, knowing that for a few hours I would be able to forget my pandemic troubles and watch drag queens strut a runway in things that sparkle and shine.). Two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Chi Chi DeVayne has died at the age of 34, TheWrap has confirmed. 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. Following the death of the popular drag queen, RuPaul, host of the reality show . This causes scarring and thickening of the tissue in these areas. My father was like, 'I really look forward to Fridays now. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. As I sat across the table, I remember how perplexed he was by my sparkly pink socks. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. We find that nearly as many people died of COVID-19 in January and February of 2022 as the . RuPaul paid tribute to DeVayne, saying that he was "heartbroken" to learn of her death. Cause of death: COVID-19-related complications. On Thursday, after being hospitalized for several days, Chi Chi died of pneumonia at age 34. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Just informed that zavion aka chi chi devayne has passed away rest in no more pain, no more worry and no more sorrow #chichidevayne #rip #rupaulsdragrace #canadasdragrace #dragqueen #rupaul #makeup #mua #makeupslaves #makeupvideo #makeupideas #makeupgeek pic.twitter.com/CdV3KBsW1v, MORE : RuPaul heartbroken after Drag Race star Chi Chi Devaynes death as she pens emotional tribute. People from all around the world were so excited about this season," Hall added. |. Read about our approach to external linking. Follow. Her drag mothers were Kourtni DeVayne and Lady Phat Kat. "Her laugh alone was enough to win my heart, but there was so much to her that won me over," she wrote on Twitter. There are several different types of scleroderma that can vary in severity. 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. "In these crazy and dark times right now, that's truly important. She was 34. Im sending love to her family, her friends and her fans. She had been hospitalised in mid August 2020 amid complications from her scleroderma diagnosis. On behalf of VH1, World of Wonder and the cast and crew of RuPauls Drag Race, I extend my deepest sympathy - from our family to hers. 2 min read. 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. Rest in Power pic.twitter.com/a69JK8wvvT, So much light, kindness, and creative talent. Zavion (Chi Chi went by both names and flipped between she/her and he/him comfortably) looked boyishly conservative in a backwards hat and high tops, but it was his timid demeanour that surprised me most. 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. Im thinking we should do a benefit show for her family to help with the costs of her funeral. She gushed about the season's popularity, explaining, "So many people even in my family! [16] DeVayne then appeared on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, which premiered on January 25, 2018. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, known for her drag-on-a-dime craftiness and Southern Belle persona, has died at age 34. Week after week, she gave the show everything she had: back flips, front flips, lip-synching while twerking in an upside-down handstand. Meet Karine Jean-Pierre, the out lesbian serving as Kamala Harris' chief of staff. Chi Chi had also been in and out of hospital following suspected kidney failure. Chi Chi DeVayne death: How did the RuPauls Drag Race star die and what is scleroderma? COVID-19 claimed 340,000 lives in 2020, 475,000 lives in 2021, and so far, has taken 230,000 lives in 2022 through September. 480K followers. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has died. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. The condition sees the immune system attack the tissue under the skin as well as around internal organs and blood vessels. I love you Chi Chi. Family members confirmed DeVayne's death on Instagram, but did not disclose the cause. She had been hospitalised in mid August 2020 amid complications from her scleroderma diagnosis. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all.. DeVayne, whose given name was Zavion Davenport, told Instagram followers last week she was back in the hospital. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. 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. "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. DeVayne, whose off-stage name was Zavion Davenport told . pic.twitter.com/pOLjEN5pPJ. Rest in perfection. Corrections and clarifications: An earlierversion of this story had an incorrect title for Joe Patterson and diagnosis date for DeVayne. Covid-19 Response Fund Donate In China , from 3 January 2020 to 6:06pm CET, 28 February 2023 , there have been 99,030,129 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 119,865 deaths , reported to WHO. Chi Chi DeVayne, a popular contestant from the competition reality series "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died following a recent hospitalization for pneumonia. Assault is the leading preventable cause of death, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and associated mental health problems. RuPaul has paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was heartbroken to learn of her death. How COVID-19 Deaths Are Counted. When I tell you I come from the streets, I'm not kidding. Chi Chi DeVayne, the drag superstar who rose to fame on RuPaul's Drag Race, is reportedly dead at 34. she wrote onTwitterThursday. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. [3] In 2018, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition. Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. Public figure. One of the brightest, beloved stars of 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' has died. 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 non-stage name was Zavion Davenport, appeared on season eight of the . And the show was there for them," she explained. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Another wrote: "The legacy that chi chi has left in our community is everlasting. RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has died, production company World of Wonder confirmed. Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34; In July, DeVayne was admitted to the hospital for a biopsy after suspected kidney failure. The death of DeVayne is just another rough moment for 2020. Chi Chi was previously also hospitalised in July with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure, telling fans she had catheters to her heart and kidneys surgically installed before undergoing dialysis treatment. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all., Chi Chi DeVaynes light will shine forever in all of our hearts. DeVayne, 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. Such I caring, empathetic and beautiful soul.I love you Chi Chi. RuPaul, the host of the eponymous reality show, remembered DeVayne in a statement provided to USA TODAY on Thursday. 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. 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). The entertainer, whose real name was . At the time of this brief, COVID-19 is on track to be the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for the third year in a row. I feel like that first of all and her dancing toes. The classically trained dancer, known . RuPaul's Drag Race star, ne Zavion Davenport, died this week following a battle with pneumonia. she has inspired so many and she has changed this community forever. But when Chi Chi DeVayne, the luminescent swamp-queen from Shreveport, La., first emerged into the werkroom in 2016, wearing a garbage bag shed sculpted with her own hands into a gorgeous couture gown, she made a powerful statement: It doesnt matter what you have or where you come from, its what you do with it that counts On Thursday, after being hospitalized for several days, Chi Chi died of pneumonia at age 34. She was diagnosied with scleroderma back in 2018. 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.. "she started with nothing and never gave up. He had a sister, Brittany; a brother, DaRico Wyandon; and two half-brothers, Zachary and Zamien Willis. When she walked through the door, she was nothing like I expected. Photo: Santiago Felipe/Getty. Such I caring, empathetic and beautiful soul. The illness caused the entertainer to lose weight and hindered her ability to perform at her peak dance level, she said. Chi Chi DeVayne is being remembered by her numerous fans. DeVayne, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, appeared in the eighth . The symptoms of scleroderma can usually be controlled by a range of different treatments. Show More Posts from chichidevayneofficial. Competing on Drag Race Season 8, and then again in the All-Stars Season 3, finally allowed Chi Chi to support herself full-time as a drag artist (as well as supporting some of her friends and family). She was lovable because she loved. Do you have a story to sell? [2] After graduating in 2003, he began performing in drag on the local nightlife scene. [10] Out dubbed the performance one of the series' best lip syncs. I loved the flamboyant and inimitable performances of the 'Drag Race' alum, just as I loved her quieter side off-stage. This season of "Drag Race" premiered only a few weeks before lockdown began, making it impossible for this batch of new queens to really . Chi Chi DeVayne Dead: 5 Things About The 'RuPaul's Drag Race Star' Who Tragically Passed Away At 34. Chi Chi, who's real name was Zavion Davenport, died amid a battle with pneumonia, although the exact cause of death has not been revealed. Im heartbroken. At the individual level, CDC estimates that in February and March of 2022 unvaccinated people were 10 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people vaccinated with at least a primary series, on an age . Celeb obsessed? "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. I was always a little performer. 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'. She had completely surprised herself. And when you think about what makes television outstanding, I think about stories and the way that television can move you and impact you. RuPaul (1/2), "On behalf of VH1, World of Wonder and the cast and crew of RuPauls Drag Race, I extend my deepest sympathy - from our family to hers." "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne . The date and cause of death were not . "She was a TRUE STAR and her legacy will live on forever.". Before, I was just like, 'What's a good job that I could get here in town, working in a factory?'. Chi Chi DeVayne death: How did the RuPauls Drag Race star die and what is scleroderma? RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne begged for prayers from her hospital bed. Don't miss a beat. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, best known for appearing on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Performers and Drag Queens the world over are paying tribute to late RuPaul's Drag Race Star Chi Chi DeVayne who has died at the age of 34. I first got to know the Drag Race alum when I reached out as a fan via Instagram.