RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Chi Chi DeVayne dies, age 34, after being hospitalized with pneumonia
RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Chi Chi DeVayne passed away, age 34, on Thursday after being hospitalized with pneumonia in her Shreveport hometown.
It happened a month after the Louisiana native (born Zavion Davenport) was discharged from the hospital following a biopsy for suspected kidney failure and high blood pressure.
‘Hey guys, I’m back in,’ Chi Chi told her 502K followers via Instastory on Saturday. ‘Keep me in your prayers, I’ll be back soon.’
RIP: RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Chi Chi DeVayne passed away, age 34, on Thursday after being hospitalized with pneumonia (pictured in 2018)
‘Hey guys, I’m back in. Keep me in your prayers, I’ll be back soon’: It happened a month after the Louisiana native (born Zavion Davenport) was discharged from the hospital following a biopsy for suspected kidney failure and high blood pressure
In February, DeVayne revealed on Hey Qween that she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a chronic incurable illness that causes the skin to tighten and thick scar tissues to form around internal organs, thereby impairing their ability to function.
The Southern University alum finished in fourth place on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and eighth place on the third season 3 RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars in 2018.
Before finding fame, Chi Chi paid the bills by working at a car wash and grocery store while performing back flips and lip-sync shows at Central Station, according to Shreveport Times.
‘You got this cheech’: Earlier this year, DeVayne revealed on Hey Qween that she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a chronic incurable illness that causes the skin to tighten and thick scar tissues to form around internal organs
Posing with her RPDRAS sisters: The Southern University alum finished in fourth place on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and eighth place on the third season 3 RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars in 2018 (pictured)
Tragic: Before finding fame, Chi Chi paid the bills by working at a car wash and grocery store while performing back flips and lip-sync shows at Central Station (pictured in 2016)
RPDR creator RuPaul Charles tweeted that he was ‘heartbroken’ and ‘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 59-year-old drag legend wrote.
‘On behalf of VH1, World of Wonder and the cast and crew of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I extend my deepest sympathy – from our family to hers.’
Mama Ru: RPDR creator RuPaul Charles tweeted that he was ‘heartbroken’ and ‘so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul’