Chi Chi DeVayne, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum, Dead at 34

RuPaul and other 'Drag Race' stars took to social media on Thursday to mourn the tragic loss. The cause of DeVayne's death was not immediately clear.

Aug 21, 2020
Chi Chi DeVayne
Getty

Image via Getty/Bennett Raglin

Chi Chi DeVayne
Getty

Image via Getty/Bennett Raglin

The drag community is mourning the loss of Chi Chi DeVayne, a revered entertainer and fan-favorite RuPaul's Drag Race star. 

Though the cause of death has not been confirmed, the tragedy occurred about a week after DeVayne—born Zavion Davenport—revealed she had been hospitalized for kidney failure.

"So tomorrow they’re going to give me a biopsy on my kidneys and let me know what it is that’s making my blood pressure so high, so I just want to say that I love you guys," she wrote on Instagram. "... I see you alls outpouring of love. I promise I’m gonna call y’all back I’m just still overwhelmed."

According to Pink News, DeVayne revealed in 2018 she had been diagnosed with scleroderma, a tissue disease that affects the kidneys, lungs, heart, and other internal organs.

"Bottling this up has had me in a state of depression," she said at the time "… it has made me hate my appearance … and also made me stray away from the public eye, but I’m no longer hiding and living in a state of fear … I just ask you all to keep me in your prayers as I battle with this life changing illness."

DeVayne appeared in RuPaul's Drag Race season 8, as well as RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars season 3. The series' host expressed condolences via Twitter on Thursday:

"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

"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." –RuPaul (2/2)

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) August 20, 2020

Celebrities, fans, and other Drag Race alum have also taken to Twitter to pay tribute to DeVayne. You can read some of the messages below.

OMG just heard. Rest easy the sweetest most sensitive kind and wholesome angel. ♥️ Chi Chi.

— Monét (@monetxchange) August 20, 2020

❤️ Chi Chi was truly one of the most supportive queens. 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. We all love you and will miss you. pic.twitter.com/pOLjEN5pPJ

— Aquaria 🤌🏼 (@aquariaofficial) August 20, 2020

When I first saw Chichi on tv it made me believe that one day I could be there too. I first met her as a fan and I burst into tears. She hugged me, then we smoked!😉 We’ve traveled together a lot since then. it’s an honor to call her sister. Zavion will forever be missed.😔 pic.twitter.com/JTK3eRKzVF

— The Vixen (@TheVixensworld) August 20, 2020

No way we’re living without you, Chi Chi Devayne. You are forever our herstory. ❣️ pic.twitter.com/Ck0G9uDZ3h

— Fran Tirado (@fransquishco) August 20, 2020

So deeply sad about the loss of Chi Chi DeVayne. She was an incredible performer, so down to earth and a bright light in the drag community.

She brought such Louisiana warmth & personality to @RuPaulsDragRace & I'm sure inspired countless young people in the LGBTQ community. pic.twitter.com/PmcALwLRFF

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) August 20, 2020

I am incredibly shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Chi Chi Devayne. What a ray of light and beautiful soul we just lost. Rest in so much power beautiful. You will be missed forever. pic.twitter.com/Gp2Fu14Fly

— Scarlett BoBo STREAM DADDY’S GIRL NOW! (@ItsScarlettBobo) August 20, 2020

Rest in Power Chichi Devayne. My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to her family and anyone who is hurting right now. she was always sweet, considerate, real and to say the absolute least TALENTED. say it again: TALENT. the world lost someone genuinely amazing today. pic.twitter.com/6nbRgqgeal

— Dax ExclamationPoint⚡️ (@Daxclamation) August 20, 2020

Chichi was hands down one of my favorite queens to work with. I first met her right after filming s9. We smoked the fattest blunt & she gave me amazing advice I’ll never forget. All my memories with her from the Xmas tours will be in my heart forever. Rest in power sweet angel 😞

— 👑 Farrah Moan (@farrahrized) August 20, 2020

Chi Chi 💔 My heart is breaking. You were such a light, a rare talent, a kind and generous spirit and a force of nature on the stage. Rest well, sister. 🕊 pic.twitter.com/XRkxnjzisq

— BeBe Zahara Benet (@BeBeZaharaBenet) August 20, 2020

Chi Chi Devayne was such a light during her season and beyond. She always showed how being humble, honest and your true authentic self will get you far! She was a TRUE STAR and her legacy will live on forever #RIPChiChiDevayne 🌹 pic.twitter.com/Q0VGgyCngr

— Cheryl Hole (@CherylHoleQueen) August 20, 2020

I am literally so upset about Chichi! I wish there was more I could do to help out her family in her honor or something. I’m thinking we should do a benefit show for her family to help with the costs of her funeral.

— Trinity The Tuck (@TrinityTheTuck) August 20, 2020

I’m literally so devastated and sick to my stomach. Wake me up when it’s all over 💔

— Shea Couleé (@SheaCoulee) August 20, 2020
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