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17 July 2020 9:54 AM

‘Drag Race’ star Chi Chi DeVayne hospitalised with suspected kidney failure

Fans and fellow drag stars have been rallying around the beloved season 8 queen.

By Will Stroude

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne has been hospitalised with suspected kidney failure.

The US drag performer, real name Zavion Davenport, shared a series of videos from from hospital on social media on Thursday (16 July), confirming that he had spent three hours on dialysis “to see if they can get [his] kidneys back functioning”.

In 2018, DeVayne, who appeared on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and later returned to the workroom on All Stars 3, was diagnosed with Scleroderma, a rare autoimmune diesease which sees the immune system attack the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels.

“I let it go too long without going to the doctor and these are the consequences”, Devayne said. “Take care of your body.”

DeVayne, who was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, won legions of fans during her time on Drag Race with her thrifty looks and warm-hearted attitude.

Her fellow Drag Race stars have been sharing messages of support online in the wake of the news, as DeVayne remains in hospital to undergo further tests and treatment.

All Stars 3 winner Trixie Mattel wrote on Twitter: “I don’t believe in much but ALL the love and healing energy to Chi Chi Devayne! Flawless, stunning, and we need her back on the stripper pole in top form!”

Kennedy Davenport, who finished runner-up to Mattel on that series, wrote: “Send a special prayer for my baby Chi chi Devayne. We need to bombard heavens gates.. speak her name and thank God for his will to be done.. speedy recovery baby girl..”

Meanwhile, Drag Race season 10 winner Aquaria urged fans to donate to Devayne to help support her through both the personal and professional impact of her hospitalisation.

“Please consider helping our friend Chi Chi Devayne in any way possible. She’s experiencing major medical issues and needs our support and love more than ever”, Aquaria wrote.

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