After weeks in the hospital being treated for pneumonia, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Chi Chi DeVayne has died at the age of 34. DeVayne’s family posted a statement on her Instagram on Thursday (August 20) confirming her death.
DeVayne, who competed on season eight and All Stars season three, was diagnosed with scleroderma back in 2018, a condition that attacks the internal organs, according to Out. In a recent Instagram Story, she asked fans for prayers while hooked up to a breathing tube.
RuPaul released a statement on the news of DeVayne’s passing, and other alumni mourned the queen on social media.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne,” RuPaul wrote. “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. 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.”
Im so num right now my heart is broken into peaces.. I couldnt even got see her. 😪😪 I love you always chichi. My dancing angel..
— Kennedy Davenport (@kennedyddoftx) August 20, 2020
So much light, kindness, and creative talent. Gone much too soon. Love you, Chi Chi. Rest in Power. pic.twitter.com/ijeOsTrT3g
— Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) August 21, 2020
❤️❤️❤️ an iconic queen literally everyone in our industry will always love. pic.twitter.com/UspJ3KzQaC
— Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) 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
DeVayne is remembered as one of the Drag Race greats, best known for her lip sync battle against Thorgy Thor to Jennifer Holiday’s “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” during season eight, which has gone down as one of the best in Drag Race herstory.
2. Chi Chi Devayne vs Thorny Thor – Season 8 – Jennifer Holiday, And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going pic.twitter.com/nnWRiGsAsf
— pj capello ♡︎ (@pjcapello) September 1, 2016