The American drag queen's stage name is Zavion Davenport. Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. 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. Some types are relatively mild and may eventually improve on their own, while others can lead to severe and life-threatening problems. Her heart was big. Last Words: Chi Chi DeVayne Reflects On Her Time On - HuffPost August 20, 2020 2:55pm. Chi Chi became well known after competing on the eighth series RuPaul's Drag Race. Davenport was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2018 and, two years later, he died following a bout of pneumonia he contracted after a hospital stay for scleroderma-related kidney failure. 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, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star, Dies at 34 [24][25] This prompted fans and fellow Drag Race contestants to initiate fundraising efforts for his medical bills. The TV personality, 34, returned to hospital with pneumonia just days ago after she had a short stay with suspected kidney failure in July. [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. By the time a U.S. adult lives to 65, they are unlikely to die . 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. Corrections and clarifications: An earlierversion of this story had an incorrect title for Joe Patterson and diagnosis date for DeVayne. The Louisiana native (real name Zavion Michael . She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. 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. And when you think about what makes television outstanding, I think about stories and the way that television can move you and impact you. Drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne, known for her drag-on-a-dime craftiness and Southern Belle persona, has died at age 34. I was always a little performer. How COVID-19 Deaths Are Counted. Week after week, she gave the show everything she had: back flips, front flips, lip-synching while twerking in an upside-down handstand. ", "In Memory of Chi Chi DeVayne and Her Everlasting Legacy", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chi_Chi_DeVayne&oldid=1141950824, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 18:48. I feel like that first of all and her dancing toes. CHI CHI DeVayne's death has left fans of RuPaul's Drag Race in mourning. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dead at 34 - KHOU 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.. "[2] Davenport attended Fair Park High School, where he was a drum major in the marching band. 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. 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.. Aug. 20, 2020 6:13 PM PT. A 65-year-old who dies from COVID-19 might ordinarily have expected to live until 85 - a difference of two decades, or roughly a quarter of the average American's total expected life span at birth. "In these crazy and dark times right now, that's truly important. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' stars remember Chi Chi DeVayne, reflect on record Such I caring, empathetic and beautiful soul. Chi Chi's lip sync to Dreamgirls' And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going is also considered iconic in Drag Race history. "A lot of people didn't have anyone to talk to or anywhere to go, anything to do. Chi Chi DeVayne dead: RuPaul's Drag Race star dies aged 34 RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 release date: When will it air. RuPaul has paid tribute to Chi Chi, saying that he was heartbroken to learn of her death. My father was like, 'I really look forward to Fridays now. Chi Chi DeVayne, season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. In life years lost, COVID-19 outpaces other common causes of death in U The talented drag star is thought to have passed away due to complications from pneumonia. In her early days as a drag entertainer, she was a regular performer at the . Her lip sync to Dreamgirls' And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going is also considered iconic in Drag Race history. Chi Chi DeVayne, a competitor on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died at the age of 34. Zavion explained that in Shreveport, where he grew up and first made a name for himself locally as a Black drag performer, there was no room to express femininity out of drag, not even by putting on sparkly pink socks. On Thursday, after being hospitalized for several days, Chi Chi died of pneumonia at age 34. [33][34], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 18:48, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! The cause of death was not immediately reported. Chi Chi was cautious around me at first because I was white (she described a strong cultural divide in Shreveport). May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all., Chi Chi DeVaynes light will shine forever in all of our hearts. She finished in eighth place. She explained earlier on: "Currently battling pneumonia so Ill be MIA for a few more days.". "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne . If that's not outstanding and show the power of what television can do for people, I don't know what else can.". Chi Chi DeVayne dead: How did Chi Chi DeVayne die? Cause of death As the disease progressed, all of the on-stage gymnastics Chi Chi was known for slowly began to slip through her fingers. With so many people sitting at home, some people have no jobs People are really struggling. DeVayne, who hailed from Shreveport, Louisiana, and Closet, who is from Ramseur, North Carolina, both come from self-proclaimed "humble beginnings." 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fan Favorite Chi Chi DeVayne Dies At 34 The drag queen, whose real name was . Julie Newmar, "Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34", "Chi Chi DeVayne was wounded, but Drag Race helped her heal", "Sashay Away: Chi Chi DeVayne on Country Swag, Southern Drag, and Getting Paid", "You Have to See Chi Chi DeVayne Make the Case For Purple Makeup", "RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 queens and premiere date revealed", "Last Words: Chi Chi DeVayne Reflects On Her Time On 'RuPaul's Drag Race', "RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne dead aged 34", "Chi Chi DeVayne talks life-changing 'Drag Race' experience", "Chi Chi DeVayne launches holiday tour before RuPaul Drag Race All Stars", "Instagram Star Max Emerson's "Drag Babies" Set to Premiere", "Chi Chi DeVayne Dies: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion Davenport Was 34", "RuPaul and More React to the Death of 'Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne", "RuPaul's Drag Race royalty Chi Chi DeVayne has been rushed to hospital with suspected kidney failure", "Chi Chi DeVayne 'Overwhelmed' by 'Outpouring of Love' Since Being Hospitalised", "RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne readmitted to hospital following pneumonia diagnosis", "RuPaul's Drag Race stars pay heartfelt, tender tribute to the late, great Chi Chi DeVayne: 'Rest in perfection', "RuPaul's Drag Race Fans Moved To Tears By Beautiful Chi Chi DeVayne Tribute", "Queer as Folk creator on how late Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne inspired reboot", "Check Out Chi Chi DeVayne in the First Trailer for Apple TV+ Series 'Little America', "World of Wonder release The Realness video featuring the late Chi Chi DeVayne", "Ginger Minj serves 'Gummy Bear' realness in new video for her, "LA Revival of 'Women Behind Bars' Release Their First Cinematic Trailer! Two-time "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Chi Chi DeVayne has died at the age of 34, TheWrap has confirmed. [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 think it's given us a closer connection to the fans because they they've been so active with us online," Closet said. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 - NBC News The Leading Causes of Death in the US for 2020 - JAMA Dialysis is a procedure to remove excess water and toxins in the blood from kidneys not performing normally. Chi Chi DeVayne, who appeared on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, has died at the age of 34. 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). What's the least exercise we can get away with? RuPaul, responding to news of DeVayne's death on Twitter[21][22], Davenport was openly gay. TheShreverport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, confirmed the news Thursday with Joe Patterson, the manager of Louisiana's Central Station nightclub, who is in communication with the family. The entertainer, whose real name was . Chi Chi got to shine in the spotlight, only because Zavion was so dedicated to building her in private, while juggling two jobs in the service industry. (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.). Family members confirmed DeVaynes death on Instagram, but did not disclose the cause. The death of DeVayne is just another rough moment for 2020. It's crazy. This year, the tone of her posts took a turn when the entertainer began giving medical updates. 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 illness caused the entertainer to lose weight and hindered her ability to perform at her peak dance level, she said. The date and cause of death were not . Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. Im sending love to her family, her friends and her fans. Timing and causes of death in severe COVID-19 patients RuPaul's Drag Race Fans Moved To Tears By Beautiful Chi Chi DeVayne "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. Earlier this year, DeVayne revealed she had been diagnosed withscleroderma in an interview onHey Qween. DeVayne has died at age 34. Updated 22:41, 20 Aug 2020. RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has died, production company World of Wonder confirmed. The condition sees the immune system attack the tissue under the skin as well as around internal organs and blood vessels. Im heartbroken. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all.". Courtesy of YouTube. The TV personality, 34, returned to hospital with pneumonia just days ago after she had a short stay with . The talented drag star is thought to have passed away due to complications from pneumonia. Chi Chi DeVayne, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34 - Yahoo! There seemed to be nothing she couldnt do. Former contestants and fans of the show also paid tribute to DeVayne. Her drag mothers were Kourtni DeVayne and Lady Phat Kat. Show More Posts from chichidevayneofficial. Related Accounts. Chi Chi was the OG Unconventional Materials Queen who could literally spin trash into treasure and who gifted us with the greatest, most heartfelt, lip sync of all time with Jennifer Hollidays And I Am Telling You Im Not Going.. The world lost a charismatic, fearless and inimitable star; I lost a dear friend. 2 min read. Looking back on this season and looking forwarding to the 2020 Emmys where the show is nominated for 13 awards, including outstanding competition and outstanding host, Hall says the show is deserving now more than ever despite coronavirus or any drama that happened at the start of the twelfth season. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. It comes after she was hospitalised with pneumonia last week where she asked fans . RuPaul, the television personality for . Days ago, DeVayne posted a brief video from a hospital bed after being readmitted due to pneumonia. Follow. Chi Chi DeVayne, Fear Not: You Are Unforgettable | HuffPost Life Former contestants and fans of the show also paid tribute to Vhi Chi. 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 Courtesy of VH1. DeVayne, whose off-stage name was Zavion Davenport told . This trend was seen among both younger (aged <65 years) and older adults (aged 65 years) ( Figure 11 ). Kelsey Grammer refuses to apologise for religious beliefs: Jesus has made a difference in my life, New mum Kelly Osbourne shares first photo of baby son Sidney as he hangs out with fun uncle Jack, Ron Jeremys sister wants him to be placed under a conservatorship amid rape trial ruling due to dementia, Bruce Willis, 67, spotted for first time as he steps out for coffee in Santa Monica after sharing dementia diagnosis, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies aged 61 after brain aneurysm, RuPaul heartbroken after Drag Race star Chi Chi Devaynes death as she pens emotional tribute, Do not sell or share my personal information. Chi Chi DeVayne - Wikipedia RuPaul is paying tribute to Drag Race queen Chi Chi Devayne, who died at the age of 34 in August. RuPaul's Drag Race Chi Chi DeVayne, has passed away at the age of 34. One Year In: How Covid's Toll Compares With Other Causes of Death This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. 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. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34 Chi Chi DeVayne, a competitor on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," has died at the age of 34. "Im heartbroken to hear about the loss of our beloved Chi Chi De Vayne," "Drag Race" judge Ross Matthews wrote on Twitter Thursday. The American drag queen, real name Zavion Davenport, revealed that while she'd tested negative . Other queens from the show have paid tribute to Chi Chi, including Kennedy Davenport, Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne and The Vixen. Drag Race alum Chi Chi Devayne dead at 34. 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 . The symptoms of scleroderma can usually be controlled by a range of different treatments. Unfortunately, fan favorite Chi Chi DeVayne -- arguably the best performer out of this season's crop of girls -- didn't make the cut. Verified. Chi Chi's lip sync to Dreamgirls' And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going is also considered iconic in Drag Race history. 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.". 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. in 2016. But also, that desperate desire for connection has made "Drag Race" an even brighter rhinestone in the dark. VH1. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. [2] After graduating in 2003, he began performing in drag on the local nightlife scene. 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). I loved the flamboyant and inimitable performances of the 'Drag Race' alum, just as I loved her quieter side off-stage. Per Variety, season 12 of RuPauls Drag Race was the highest rated season in the shows history. 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. she wrote onTwitterThursday. Former contestants and fans of the show also paid tribute to Vhi Chi. August 21, 2020 - 12:16 BST Emmy Griffiths. '", "It shows the impact that we left this year. According to EW, the artist was recently hospitalized with suspected kidney . The star also competed in the third series of the All Stars version of the series. Scleroderma can come in different types, with different levels of seriousness. [4], DeVayne's first name, Chi Chi, was inspired by the character Chi-Chi Rodriguez from To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! The "RuPaul's Drag Race" family is mourning the loss of one of their own. Its just showing people that it doesnt matter drag is drag and your talent is whats going to carry you through.. Chi Chi DeVayne, known for her appearances in "RuPaul's Drag Race" and " RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars ," has died after a battle with pneumonia. rest in power". She had me in gymnastics, and I was in a dance company in my twenties. She was diagnosied with scleroderma back in 2018. Don't miss a beat. found a typed note on a hospital desk in recent days urging them to "try not to write respiratory failure caused by Covid" as the primary cause of death . RuPaul's Drag Race star, ne Zavion Davenport, died this week following a battle with pneumonia. Zavion Davenport, best known as Chi Chi DeVayne, has died at age 34, Zavion's mother, Tina Davenport, told CNN. DeVayne's death, which was confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, comes after she was recently hospitalized . Celebrity Deaths in 2020: Stars We've Lost - Us Weekly [2] He described parts of his upbringing as rough: he carried a gun, got into trouble, and joined gangs. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. ", Im heartbroken to hear about the loss of our beloved Chi Chi De Vayne. [33] Dunn stated that he set the series in New Orleans due to his longtime friendship with DeVayne. Chi Chi, who was 34, revealed to fans on Instagram earlier this month that she had contracted pneumonia . Who Is Chi Chi DeVayne? 'Drag Race' Star Dead At Age 34 - Hollywood Life COVID-19 as the Underlying or Contributing Cause of Death [7] On July 17 of that year, he was rushed to the hospital with hypertension and scleroderma-related kidney failure. Chi Chi DeVayne Dead: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion - Deadline "All other causes" includes liver disease/cirrhosis, bloodstream infections, hypertension, Parkinson's disease . Her loyal fan base amounted to 491K on Instagram following her television appearances which rocketed her to a new height of fame. ", "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. But she didnt surprise me. [11][23] He reported that the disease had caused him to lose weight and had reduced his capacity to dance in early 2020. 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. Baga Chipz teases Celebrity MasterChef disaster, Canadas Drag Race star Ilona Verley talks her exit from the show, Councils apology after outraged parents slam drag queen school visit, Michelle Visage speaks out on major show change amid 'curse' worries. "I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. The statement said: "I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. The world lost a charismatic, fearless and inimitable star; I lost a dear friend. [17] She was eliminated in the fourth episode,[18] originally placing seventh, but she ultimately finished eighth after Morgan McMichaels returned to the competition. The cause of death was not immediately reported. And this shows in the numbers. Her first stint on RuPaul's Drag Race was aired in 2016, where she impressed the judges with her ingenuity and quick wit. "Keep me in your prayers," she said in a video message to her fans. Following the death of the popular drag queen, RuPaul, host of the reality show . More info. Emmys 2020: RuPaul Dedicates Award to Chi Chi DeVayne - PEOPLE.com Chi Chi lived with a rare condition called Scleroderma. Now today, this is where we are. The date and cause of death were not . Assault is the leading preventable cause of death, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and associated mental health problems. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. 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. 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. RuPaul's Drag Race Chi Chi DeVayne star has died at the age of just 34. Rest in Power pic.twitter.com/a69JK8wvvT, So much light, kindness, and creative talent. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. "Her laugh alone was enough to win my heart, but there was so much to her that won me over," she wrote on Twitter. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' favorite Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 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. 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 . Some types are relatively mild and may eventually improve on their own, while others can lead to severe and life-threatening problems. Longtime drag queen Miss Coco Peru remembered DeVayne's laugh. The symptoms of scleroderma can usually be controlled by a range of different treatments. But there was a side to Chi Chi whose non-stage name was Zavion that was very low-key. Known offstage as Zavion Davenport, DeVayne was remembered by peers as "a caring, empathetic and beautiful soul.". the reality star continued. 2023 BBC. DeVayne was one of the most popular contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race TV show. "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. She was a star & without her the world has less sparkle. The median time from ICU admission to death was 15 days (25th-75th IQR, 7-27 days). She was truly a legendary queen. The cause of death is pending an autopsy . This season of "Drag Race" premiered only a few weeks before lockdown began, making it impossible for this batch of new queens to really .