On Thursday (August 20), news broke that fan-favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race queen Chi Chi DeVayne, who appeared on season 8 of the show and on season three of the show’s All Stars spin-off series, had died at age 34 following a battle with pneumonia.
In her two appearances on Drag Race, DeVayne (born Zavion Davenport) charmed audiences everywhere with her stellar lip syncing skills, along with her homemade couture. Following her fourth place finish in season 8, fans quickly began a campaign to see her appear on an All Stars season, which she did two years later on All Stars 3.
Following the news of her passing, fellow stars from the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise took to social media to mourn DeVayne and celebrate her life, toasting the late star’s kind demeanor and supreme talent. In a statement to Billboard, RuPaul expressed thanks for getting an opportunity to know the queen.”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,” he says. “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.”
See the messages of love to Chi Chi DeVayne from her Drag Race colleagues below:
We're heartbroken to learn that Chi Chi DeVayne has passed away today. Her drag spread a message of love and kindness that truly touched each person she met.
Rest in power, Chi Chi. pic.twitter.com/AlTwGR71OU
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) 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
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
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 Black Lives Matter Benet (@BeBeZaharaBenet) August 20, 2020
OMG just heard. Rest easy the sweetest most sensitive kind and wholesome angel. ♥️ Chi Chi.
— Monét X Change (@monetxchange) August 20, 2020
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
— nina bonina brown (@atlsexyslim) 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
I love you ❤️ Chichi 👑 pic.twitter.com/woKZv7z7EB
— Alexis Mateo (@AlexisMateo79) 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
This is so heart-breaking 😢💔 RIP Chi Chi DeVayne 💔 My heart goes out to all of Chi Chi’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/g6ZXoF2RAO
— Pandora Boxx (@ThePandoraBoxx) August 20, 2020
Take a second to celebrate Chi Chi. I remember listening to her on What’s The Tea and being totally enamoured. Very very sad. pic.twitter.com/wm3iDG21Xl
— Crystal | Black Lives Matter (@crystalwillseeu) August 20, 2020
Rest in Power Chi Chi Devayne – thank you for your heart, your joy, and your incredible passion for drag – 💔 pic.twitter.com/rnAhrQQFHN
— Marti (@MartiGCummings) August 20, 2020
Rest In Peace to one of the most beautiful queens to hit the @RuPaulsDragRace franchise ❤️
love you Chi Chi! pic.twitter.com/iC31NqTJWI
— queen priyanka – stream taste test (@thequeenpri) August 20, 2020
❤️❤️❤️ an iconic queen literally everyone in our industry will always love. pic.twitter.com/UspJ3KzQaC
— Trixie Mattel™ (@trixiemattel) August 20, 2020
Rest in Power Angel! Seriously one of the nicest people I've ever met. 💔
Zavion Davenport Chi Chi DeVayne we will miss you! pic.twitter.com/Hicbi7rBsA— Ongina (@ongina) August 20, 2020
Chi Chi was a flawless human being 💛 and nobody will ever tell me different.
— AJA LABEIJA 🍯👑 (@ajaoxum) August 20, 2020
RIP Chi Chi. What a sad week. X
— TheVivienne (@THEVIVIENNEUK) August 20, 2020
This is so heartbreaking. One of the greatest and kindest is gone. Forever missed Chi Chi. We love you 💔
— Alexis Michelle (@AlexisLives) August 20, 2020
Just woke up to the news. I'm truly heartbroken and sending all my love and prayers to ChiChi's family and friends through this sad time 🙏💔 Fly high beautiful 😪
— India Ferrah (@Indiaferrah) August 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/nayshalopez/status/1296550023858135040
OMG no sis💔💔💔 RIP BEAUTIFUL ChiChi
— Mercedes Iman Diamond (@Mercedesiman) August 20, 2020