Chi Chi DeVayne
Chi Chi DeVayne at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2018
Born
Zavion Michael Davenport

(1985-09-24)September 24, 1985
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 2020(2020-08-20) (aged 34)
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationDrag queen
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3)

Zavion Michael Davenport (September 24, 1985 – August 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

I was always a little performer. My uncle used to stage talent shows with all us cousins, and my mom saw something in me. She had me in gymnastics, and I was in a dance company in my twenties.

—Davenport, in a 2018 interview[1]

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.[2]

As a child, Davenport took classes in ballet and in West African and modern dance.[2] He described parts of his upbringing as rough: he carried a gun, got into trouble, and joined gangs.[3] 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."[2] Davenport attended Fair Park High School, where he was a drum major in the marching band.[2] After graduating in 2003, he began performing in drag on the local nightlife scene.[2] Prior to appearing on Drag Race, Davenport worked two nine-to-five jobs to support himself.[4]

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.[5] DeVayne enjoyed using different shades of purple makeup.[6] 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.[7]

Chi Chi DeVayne, 2018

DeVayne competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016.[8] HuffPost's 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".[9] 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".[10] Out dubbed the performance one of the series' best lip syncs.[11] 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."[12]

DeVayne was interviewed on RuPaul's podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee? in 2016.[13] The next year, she toured with A Drag Queen Christmas,[14][15] and she was subsequently a cast member of several international live shows featuring Drag Race contestants.[7] 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.[16] DeVayne then appeared on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, which premiered on January 25, 2018.[17] She was eliminated in the fourth episode,[18] originally placing seventh, but she ultimately finished eighth after Morgan McMichaels returned to the competition.[19][20] DeVayne credited her experience on Drag Race with helping her heal from some of the difficulties of her past.[2]

Personal life

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, responding to news of DeVayne's death on Twitter[21][22]

Davenport was gay.[3]

In 2018, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition.[11][23] He reported that the disease had caused him to lose weight and had reduced his capacity to dance in early 2020.[7] On July 17 of that year, he was rushed to the hospital with hypertension and scleroderma-related kidney failure.[24][25] This prompted fans and fellow Drag Race contestants to initiate fundraising efforts for his medical bills.[11][25] 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.[24] Four weeks later, Davenport was readmitted to the hospital with pneumonia.[25][26] 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".[11][27] He died on August 20, 2020, at the age of 34.[19][28]

Celebrities including Padma Lakshmi,[21] Ross Mathews and Miss Coco Peru paid tribute to DeVayne.[7] Many fellow Drag Race contestants also expressed condolences; these included Aja, Alexis Mateo, Alexis Michelle,[22] Aquaria,[10] BeBe Zahara Benet,[22] Bianca Del Rio,[10] Cheryl Hole,[7] Detox,[27] Farrah Moan,[22] Heidi N Closet,[21] India Ferrah,[22] Jaida Essence Hall,[29] Kennedy Davenport, Monét X Change, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Ongina, Pandora Boxx,[22] Peppermint,[7][25] Priyanka,[22] Roxxxy Andrews,[21] Shea Couleé,[22][25] Tatianna,[27] Trinity the Tuck,[7] Trixie Mattel[10] and The Vivienne.[22] In a memorial post, GLAAD called DeVayne "an incredible performer and such a bright light".[7]

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.[30][31][32] 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.[33] Dunn stated that he set the series in New Orleans due to his longtime friendship with DeVayne.[33][34]

Discography

Title Year Album Ref
"Sitting on a Secret"
(RuPaul feat. Aja, Chi Chi DeVayne, Milk, Morgan McMichaels & Thorgy Thor) 		2018 Non-album singles [35]
"GFY"
(Randy Boo feat. Chi Chi DeVayne) 		2020 [36]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) Herself Contestant (fourth place) [8]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3) Herself Contestant (eighth place) [17]
2020 Little America Herself Guest [37]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race [38]
#CuCuCONFESSIONS Herself Guest; hosted by Cynthia Lee Fontaine [39]
2017 How to Makeup Herself World of Wonder series [40]
CRAIGSLIST Missed Connections Herself Guest [41]
2018 Cosmo Queens Herself Guest [42]
Drag Babies Herself Drag mentor [43]
Whatcha Packin' Herself Guest [44]
2019 Hey Qween! Herself Valentine's Day special [45]
2020 Bootleg Opinions Herself Guest [46]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Notes Ref(s)
2020 "GFY" Randy Boo feat. Chi Chi DeVayne [47]
"The Realness (Chi Chi DeVayne Edit)" RuPaul Posthumous release [48][49]
2021 "Gummy Bear" Ginger Minj Posthumous release [50]

Theatre

Year Production Role Venue Ref
2019 Women Behind Bars Jo-Jo The Montalbán [51]

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f Paybarah, Azi (August 20, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Rawles, Timothy (May 4, 2016). "Chi Chi DeVayne was wounded, but Drag Race helped her heal". San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  4. ^ Garner, Glenn (May 5, 2016). "Sashay Away: Chi Chi DeVayne on Country Swag, Southern Drag, and Getting Paid". Out. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  5. ^ "Meet the Queens – Chi Chi DeVayne". Logo TV. February 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  6. ^ "You Have to See Chi Chi DeVayne Make the Case For Purple Makeup". Cosmopolitan. January 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Trepany, Charles; Kennell, Tiana (August 20, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34 following hospitalization for pneumonia". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Lee, Stephan (February 1, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 queens and premiere date revealed". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Nichols, James Michael (May 4, 2016). "Last Words: Chi Chi DeVayne Reflects On Her Time On 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". HuffPost. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d "RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne dead aged 34". BBC News. August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
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  18. ^ Miller, Shannon (August 20, 2020). "R.I.P. RuPaul's Drag Race and All-Star alum Chi Chi DeVayne". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (August 20, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne Dies: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion Davenport Was 34". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
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  23. ^ Kelleher, Patrick (July 17, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race royalty Chi Chi DeVayne has been rushed to hospital with suspected kidney failure". PinkNews. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  24. ^ a b Welsh, Daniel (July 18, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne 'Overwhelmed' by 'Outpouring of Love' Since Being Hospitalised". HuffPost. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
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  26. ^ Lewis, Isobel (August 17, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne readmitted to hospital following pneumonia diagnosis". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
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  28. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 20, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race queen Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
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  33. ^ a b Tabberer, Jamie (June 8, 2022). "Queer as Folk creator on how late Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne inspired reboot". Attitude. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  34. ^ Sayej, Nadja (June 8, 2022). "'Queer as Folk' Cast, Showrunner Dish on the New Peacock Series: 'Queer Stories Are More Vital Than Ever'". Shondaland. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
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  38. ^ WOWPresents (March 8, 2016). "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 – Episode 1 'Keeping It 100!'" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
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  41. ^ WOWPresents (December 23, 2017). "Chi Chi Devayne: CRAIGSLIST Missed Connections – WOW Presents Plus Sneak Peek" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
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  43. ^ max emerson (March 13, 2018). "Drag Babies: Project #1 'What The Hell Are We Doing?'" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
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  45. ^ Hey Qween (February 14, 2019). "Chi Chi DeVayne on Hey Qween! Valentine's Special with Jonny McGovern" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  46. ^ YuhuaHamasaki (June 13, 2020). "All Stars 5 Episode 2 x Bootleg Opinions with Chi Chi Devayne!" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  47. ^ Randy Boo (February 22, 2020). "GFY" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  48. ^ Earle, Siah (2020). "World of Wonder release The Realness video featuring the late Chi Chi DeVayne". Gay Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  49. ^ WOWPresents (September 13, 2020). "RuPaul – The Realness Music Video (Chi Chi DeVayne Edit)" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  50. ^ Nolfi, Joey (June 25, 2021). "Ginger Minj serves 'Gummy Bear' realness in new video for her RuPaul's Drag Race talent show song". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  51. ^ Dior, Chiffon (December 16, 2019). "LA Revival of 'Women Behind Bars' Release Their First Cinematic Trailer!". WERRRK.com. Werrrk Media & Talent Group. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.

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