Chi Chi DeVayne explained
Zavion Michael Davenport (September 24, 1985August 20, 2020), better known by the stage name Chi Chi DeVayne, was an American drag queen and reality television personality who came to international attention on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. DeVayne began her drag career in her native Shreveport, Louisiana, where she was known locally prior to her 2016 debut on Drag Race. Following her time on the show, DeVayne embarked on a number of domestic and international tours, and she was featured on several web series about drag.
Davenport was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2018 and, two years later, he died following a bout of pneumonia he contracted after a hospital stay for scleroderma-related kidney failure.
Early life and career
Zavion Michael Davenport was born on September 24, 1985, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Alberteen Wyandon and Zan Davenport III. He had a sister, Brittany; a brother, DaRico Wyandon; and two half-brothers, Zachary and Zamien Willis.
As a child, Davenport took classes in ballet and in West African and modern dance.[1] He described parts of his upbringing as rough: he carried a gun, got into trouble, and joined gangs.[2] In an interview on RuPaul's Drag Race, he said, "Girl, I've seen people shot. I've smelled, like, the smell of brains. When I tell you I come from the streets, I'm not kidding." Davenport attended Fair Park High School, where he was a drum major in the marching band. After graduating in 2003, he began performing in drag on the local nightlife scene. Prior to appearing on Drag Race, Davenport worked two nine-to-five jobs to support himself.[3]
Drag
DeVayne's first name, Chi Chi, was inspired by the character Chi-Chi Rodriguez from To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, and the surname DeVayne came from the DeVayne drag family of Shreveport. Her drag mothers were Kourtni DeVayne and Lady Phat Kat.[4] DeVayne enjoyed using different shades of purple makeup.[5] In her early days as a drag entertainer, she was a regular performer at the Central Station nightclub in Shreveport, where she became known for her backflips.[6]
DeVayne competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016.[7] HuffPosts James Michael Nichols said she "was the dark horse [of the] season, walking through the doors in the first episode in a dress literally made out of garbage bags".[8] The BBC called her lip sync to "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", through which she eliminated fellow contestant Thorgy Thor, "iconic in Drag Race history". Out dubbed the performance one of the series' best lip syncs. DeVayne made it to the top four but was eliminated before Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls; Bob the Drag Queen won the crown. DeVayne said of the experience: "It changed everything in my life. Everything has turned in a different direction. Before, I was just like, 'What's a good job that I could get here in town, working in a factory?'. It's crazy."[9]
DeVayne was interviewed on RuPaul's podcast in 2016.[10] The next year, she toured with A Drag Queen Christmas,[11] [12] and she was subsequently a cast member of several international live shows featuring Drag Race contestants. In March 2018, she was a part of Max Emerson's series Drag Babies, which was hosted by Bob the Drag Queen. She served as a drag mentor alongside Peppermint and Shuga Cain.[13] DeVayne then appeared on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, which premiered on January 25, 2018.[14] She was eliminated in the fourth episode,[15] originally placing seventh, but she ultimately finished eighth after Morgan McMichaels returned to the competition.[16] DeVayne credited her experience on Drag Race with helping her heal from some of the difficulties of her past.
Personal life
Davenport was gay.[2]
In 2018, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition.[17] He reported that the disease had caused him to lose weight and had reduced his capacity to dance in early 2020. On July 17 of that year, he was rushed to the hospital with hypertension and scleroderma-related kidney failure.[18] This prompted fans and fellow Drag Race contestants to initiate fundraising efforts for his medical bills.[19] Two days later, he posted an update on social media, saying, "I let it go too long without going to the doctor, and these are the consequences". He also expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, and he stated that he was undergoing dialysis treatment.[20] Four weeks later, Davenport was readmitted to the hospital with pneumonia.[21] During that time, he made his final social media post, a video asking fans to keep him in their prayers and promising to "be back soon".[22] He died on August 20, 2020, at the age of 34.[23] [24]
Celebrities including Padma Lakshmi, Ross Mathews and Miss Coco Peru paid tribute to DeVayne. Many fellow Drag Race contestants also expressed condolences; these included Aja, Alexis Mateo, Alexis Michelle, Aquaria, BeBe Zahara Benet, Bianca Del Rio,[25] Cheryl Hole, Detox, Farrah Moan, Heidi N Closet, India Ferrah, Jaida Essence Hall,[26] Kennedy Davenport, Monét X Change, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Ongina, Pandora Boxx, Peppermint, Priyanka, Roxxxy Andrews, Shea Couleé, Tatianna, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel and The Vivienne. In a memorial post, GLAAD called DeVayne "an incredible performer and such a bright light".
The finale episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 13—the first to air after DeVayne's death—contained a tribute segment wherein RuPaul and several former contestants shared memories of DeVayne's life and work.[27] [28] [29] In 2022, director Stephen Dunn announced that DeVayne was meant to play the character Bussy on Queer as Folk, but she was replaced by Armand Fields after she died.[30] Dunn stated that he set the series in New Orleans due to his longtime friendship with DeVayne.[31]
Discography
Filmography
Television
Web series
Music videos
External links
Notes and References
- News: Paybarah . Azi . August 20, 2020 . Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34 . . August 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200822072901/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/arts/television/chi-chi-devayne-dead.html . August 22, 2020 . live.
- News: Rawles . Timothy . Chi Chi DeVayne was wounded, but Drag Race helped her heal . February 11, 2018 . . May 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083653/http://sdgln.com/entertainment/2016/05/04/chi-chi-devayne-was-wounded-drag-race-helped-her-heal . February 12, 2018 . live.
- News: Garner . Glenn . Sashay Away: Chi Chi DeVayne on Country Swag, Southern Drag, and Getting Paid . February 11, 2018 . . May 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914095856/https://www.out.com/popnography/2016/5/05/sashay-away-chi-chi-devayne-country-swag-southern-drag-and-getting-paid . September 14, 2018 . live.
- News: Meet the Queens – Chi Chi DeVayne . February 11, 2018 . . February 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180212085145/http://www.logotv.com/video-clips/ubvaur/rupauls-drag-race-meet-the-queens-chi-chi-devayne . February 12, 2018 . dead.
- News: You Have to See Chi Chi DeVayne Make the Case For Purple Makeup . February 11, 2018 . . January 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033203/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a15885898/chi-chi-devayne-rupauls-drag-race-makeup-transformation/ . May 19, 2018 . live.
- News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 following hospitalization for pneumonia . August 20, 2020 . . Trepany . Charles . Kennell . Tiana . January 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029101534/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/08/20/rupauls-drag-race-chi-chi-devayne-34-dies-after-hospitalization/3401209001/ . October 29, 2020 . live.
- News: Lee . Stephan . RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 queens and premiere date revealed . . December 7, 2019 . February 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191207200215/https://ew.com/article/2016/02/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-queens-premiere-date/ . December 7, 2019 . live.
- News: Nichols . James Michael . Last Words: Chi Chi DeVayne Reflects On Her Time On 'RuPaul's Drag Race' . February 11, 2018 . . May 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170823154549/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chi-chi-devayne-drag-race-exit_us_57290890e4b016f37893e881 . August 23, 2017 . live.
- News: Guerra . Joey . Chi Chi DeVayne talks life-changing 'Drag Race' experience . February 11, 2018 . . May 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173849/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/tv/article/Chi-Chi-Devayne-talks-life-changing-Drag-Race-7393687.php . March 7, 2019 . live.
- Episode 75 – Chi Chi DeVayne . RuPaul: What's The Tee? . Charles . RuPaul . RuPaul . Visage . Michelle . Michelle Visage . December 7, 2016 . February 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217084903/https://www.rupaulpodcast.com/episodes/2016/12/7/episode-75-chi-chi-devayne . February 17, 2019 . live.
- News: Nunn. Jerry. Chi Chi DeVayne launches holiday tour before RuPaul Drag Race All Stars . February 11, 2018. GoPride Chicago . GoPride Networks. November 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030240/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/1140625 . February 17, 2019 . live.
- News: Cooper . Mariah . 'Drag Race' queens unite for Xmas show . February 11, 2018 . . November 16, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030330/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/11/16/drag-queen-christmas/ . February 17, 2019 . live.
- News: Instagram Star Max Emerson's "Drag Babies" Set to Premiere . . September 13, 2019 . Sawicki . Caitlin . March 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191002164851/https://metrosource.com/max-emersons-drag-babies-set-premiere/ . October 2, 2019 . live.
- News: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars returns when we need it most . Sava . Oliver . . January 25, 2018 . December 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812041428/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-all-stars-returns-when-we-need-it-mo-1822433986 . August 12, 2020 . live.
- Web site: Miller . Shannon. August 20, 2020 . R.I.P. RuPaul's Drag Race and All-Star alum Chi Chi DeVayne . live . August 20, 2020 . The A.V. Club . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919164446/https://news.avclub.com/r-i-p-rupauls-drag-race-and-all-star-alum-chi-chi-deva-1844794341 . September 19, 2020.
- News: Oliver . Isaac . March 2, 2018 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars': A Shocking Elimination . The New York Times . August 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191001210816/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/arts/television/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-6.html . October 1, 2019 . live.
- News: Kelleher . Patrick . RuPaul's Drag Race royalty Chi Chi DeVayne has been rushed to hospital with suspected kidney failure . . August 16, 2020 . July 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200817170317/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/17/rupauls-drag-race-chi-chi-devayne-kidney-failure-scleroderma-hospital-trixie-mattel/ . live . August 17, 2020.
- News: Chi Chi DeVayne Has Died . Song . Sandra . August 20, 2020 . . January 23, 2021 . November 23, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123222417/https://www.papermag.com/chi-chi-devayne-passing-2647044841.html.
- News: Street . Mikelle . 'Drag Race's Chi Chi DeVayne Has Reportedly Died . January 27, 2021 . Out . August 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210113132352/https://www.out.com/drag/2020/8/20/drag-races-chi-chi-devayne-has-reportedly-died . January 13, 2021 . live.
- News: Chi Chi DeVayne 'Overwhelmed' by 'Outpouring of Love' Since Being Hospitalised . Welsh . Daniel . HuffPost . July 18, 2020 . July 20, 2020 . October 25, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201025124900/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_bdbb2c01-d799-4f39-bac3-57b2beaa34f1.
- News: RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne readmitted to hospital following pneumonia diagnosis . Lewis . Isobel . . August 17, 2020 . August 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200822005145/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-chi-chi-devayne-hospital-pneumonia-donate-all-stars-a9673541.html . August 22, 2020 . live.
- News: Drag Race's Chi Chi DeVayne Dead at 34 . August 20, 2020 . Swift . Andy . . January 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102064239/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/drag-races-chi-chi-devayne-202756999.html . November 2, 2020 . live.
- Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . August 20, 2020 . Chi Chi DeVayne Dies: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion Davenport Was 34 . August 21, 2020 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201002021816/https://deadline.com/2020/08/chi-chi-devayne-dead-rupauls-drag-race-1203019172/ . October 2, 2020 . live.
- News: RuPaul's Drag Race queen Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 . Joey . Nolfi . August 20, 2020 . August 20, 2020 . Entertainment Weekly . https://web.archive.org/web/20201008122810/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-queen-chi-chi-devayne-dead/ . October 8, 2020 . live.
- News: RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne dead aged 34 . August 20, 2020 . . January 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029155308/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53829245 . October 29, 2020 . live.
- News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne Dead at 34 . August 20, 2020 . . October 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201008201955/https://extratv.com/2020/08/20/rupauls-drag-race-star-chi-chi-devayne-dead-at-34/ . October 8, 2020 . live.
- News: Baska . Maggie . RuPaul's Drag Race stars pay heartfelt, tender tribute to the late, great Chi Chi DeVayne: 'Rest in perfection' . PinkNews . April 28, 2021 . April 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427233830/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/04/24/chi-chi-devayne-rupaul-drag-race-stars-heartfelt-tribute/ . live . April 27, 2021.
- News: McCallion . Paul . RuPaul's Drag Race Season-Finale Recap: And the Winner Is... . . . April 28, 2021 . April 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427212317/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-episode-16-grand-finale-recap.html . live . April 27, 2021.
- News: Welsh . Daniel . RuPaul's Drag Race Fans Moved To Tears By Beautiful Chi Chi DeVayne Tribute . HuffPost . April 28, 2021 . April 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210425170827/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/chi-chi-devayne-rupauls-drag-race-tributes_uk_608531c6e4b02e74d21aa116 . live . April 25, 2021.
- News: June 8, 2022 . Queer as Folk creator on how late Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne inspired reboot . August 7, 2022 . . Tabberer . Jamie . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807055332/https://attitude.co.uk/article/queer-as-folk-creator-on-how-late-drag-race-star-chi-chi-devayne-inspired-reboot/27158/ . August 7, 2022 . live.
- News: Sayej . Nadja . June 8, 2022 . 'Queer as Folk' Cast, Showrunner Dish on the New Peacock Series: 'Queer Stories Are More Vital Than Ever' . August 7, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807061246/https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a40219846/queer-as-folk-cast-showrunner-dish-on-the-new-peacock-series-queer-stories-are-more-vital-than-ever/ . August 7, 2022 . live.
- News: August 20, 2020 . 'Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne Dead at 34 . Lynch . Joe . August 21, 2020 . Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110141835/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/chi-chi-devayne-dead-drag-race-9437623/. January 10, 2022 . live.
- News: Countryman . Eli . August 20, 2020 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne Dies at 34 . live . August 21, 2020 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925005838/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/chi-chi-devayne-dead-dies-rupauls-drag-race-1234742099/ . September 25, 2020.
- News: Check Out Chi Chi DeVayne in the First Trailer for Apple TV+ Series 'Little America' . Rudolph . Christopher . December 20, 2019 . . . December 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200722094046/http://www.newnownext.com/check-out-chi-chi-devayne-in-the-first-trailer-for-apple-tv-series-little-america/12/2019/ . July 22, 2020 . live.
- WOWPresents . World of Wonder (company) . March 8, 2016 . "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 – Episode 1 'Keeping It 100!'" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831050620/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHcIG0gLbI . August 31, 2020 . live.
- CynthiaLeeFontaineVEVO . Cynthia Lee Fontaine . August 11, 2016 . "#CuCuCONFESSIONS ft. (ChiChi Devayne)" . YouTube video . September 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200829004014/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMZ8SID6Drc&gl=US&hl=en . August 29, 2020 . live.
- WOWPresents . December 11, 2017 . "HOW TO MAKEUP: Chi Chi DeVayne's Red Lip" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200828214643/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-3zmEnGkqA&gl=US&hl=en . August 28, 2020 . live.
- WOWPresents . December 23, 2017 . "Chi Chi Devayne: CRAIGSLIST Missed Connections – WOW Presents Plus Sneak Peek" . YouTube video . December 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200829003904/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWSR3aDaDtw&gl=US&hl=en . August 29, 2020 . live.
- Cosmopolitan . Cosmopolitan (magazine) . January 29, 2018 . "Chi Chi DeVayne COSMO Queens Cosmopolitan" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200829055626/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM-X7jf3yzY&gl=US&hl=en . August 29, 2020 . live.
- max emerson . Max Emerson . March 13, 2018 . "Drag Babies: Project #1 'What The Hell Are We Doing?'" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043652/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jtPAyXIYFc&gl=US&hl=en . March 14, 2018 . live.
- RuPaul's Drag Race . RuPaul's Drag Race . February 19, 2018 . "Whatcha Packin': Chi Chi Devayne S3 E4 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026063233/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBFkVl8QFwc&t= . October 26, 2020 . live.
- Hey Qween . Jonny McGovern . February 14, 2019 . "Chi Chi DeVayne on Hey Qween! Valentine's Special with Jonny McGovern" . YouTube video . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200829004014/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vL2Bq6n04U&gl=US&hl=en . August 29, 2020 . live.
- YuhuaHamasaki . Yuhua Hamasaki . June 13, 2020 . "All Stars 5 Episode 2 x Bootleg Opinions with Chi Chi Devayne!" . YouTube video . June 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200824135016/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D9LWfp89QQ&gl=US&hl=en . August 24, 2020 . live.
- Randy Boo . February 22, 2020 . "GFY" . YouTube video . February 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026054100/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M67d6pk_mE . October 26, 2020 . live.
- News: World of Wonder release The Realness video featuring the late Chi Chi DeVayne . Siah . Earle . . September 18, 2020 . 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201003114342/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/world-of-wonder-release-the-realness-video-featuring-the-late-chi-chi-devayne/ . October 3, 2020 . live.
- WOWPresents . September 13, 2020 . "RuPaul – The Realness Music Video (Chi Chi DeVayne Edit)" . YouTube video . October 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915173745/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXs9cqVc4D0&gl=US&hl=en . September 15, 2020 . live.
- News: Nolfi . Joey . Ginger Minj serves 'Gummy Bear' realness in new video for her RuPaul's Drag Race talent show song . Entertainment Weekly . June 25, 2021 . June 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625175557/https://ew.com/music/ginger-minj-gummy-bear-music-video/ . June 25, 2021 . live.
- News: LA Revival of 'Women Behind Bars' Release Their First Cinematic Trailer! . December 16, 2019 . Chiffon . Dior . WERRRK.com . Werrrk Media & Talent Group . July 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720085725/https://werrrk.com/2019/12/16/la-revival-of-women-behind-bars-release-their-first-cinematic-trailer/ . July 20, 2020 . live.