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Chi Chi DeVayne

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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.
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 the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Following her time on the show, DeVayne 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, 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] He attended Fair Park High School, where he was a drum major in the marching band. After graduating in 2003, he began performing in drag at a local nightclub.[2] Prior to appearing on Drag Race, Davenport worked two nine-to-five jobs to support himself.[4]

Drag

Chi Chi DeVayne, 2018

DeVayne took the first name Chi Chi from the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the surname DeVayne from the DeVayne drag family of Shreveport. Her drag mothers are Kourtni DeVayne and Lady Phat Kat.[5] DeVayne enjoyed using different shades of purple makeup.[6] She competed on the eighth season of Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016.[7] HuffPost's James Michael Nichols said she "was the dark-horse this season, walking through the doors in the first episode in a dress literally made out of garbage bags."[8] DeVayne made it to the top four but was eliminated before Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls; Bob the Drag Queen took 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]

She appeared on RuPaul's podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee? in 2016.[10] The next year, she toured with A Drag Queen Christmas.[11][12] In March 2018, DeVayne was a part of Max Emerson's Drag Babies series, which was hosted by Bob the Drag Queen. She served as a drag mentor alongside Peppermint and Shuga Cain.[13] DeVayne was asked to come back to Drag Race for the third season of All Stars, which premiered on January 25, 2018.[14] She was eliminated in the fourth episode,[15] originally placing seventh. She ultimately finished eighth after Morgan McMichaels returned to the competition.[16][17] DeVayne credited her experience on Drag Race with helping her heal from some of the difficulties of her past.[2]

Illness and death

In 2018, Davenport was diagnosed with scleroderma.[18] On July 17, 2020, he was rushed to the hospital for kidney failure related to scleroderma. 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," as well as showing appreciation for the outpouring of support from fans and colleagues. He stated that he was undergoing dialysis treatment.[19] Four weeks later, he was readmitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.[20] He died on August 20, 2020, at the age of 34.[21][16]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) Herself Contestant (fourth place) [7]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3) Herself Contestant (eighth place) [14]
2020 Little America Herself Guest appearance [22]

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre Ref
2019 Women Behind Bars Jo-Jo The Montalban [23]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref
2020 "GFY" Randy Boo ft. Chi Chi DeVayne [24]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race [25]
Cucu Confessions Guest, hosted by Cynthia Lee Fontaine [26]
2017 How to Makeup World of Wonder series [27]
Craigslist Missed Connections Guest [28]
2018 Cosmo Queens Guest [29]
Drag Babies Drag mentor [30]
Whatcha Packin' Guest [31]
2019 Hey Qween Valentine's Day special [32]
2020 Bootleg Opinions Guest [33]

Discography

Title Year Album Ref
"Sitting on a Secret"
(RuPaul featuring Aja, Chi Chi DeVayne, Milk, Morgan McMichaels, & Thorgy Thor) 		2018 Non-album singles [34]
"GFY"
(Randy Boo featuring Chi Chi DeVayne) 		2020 [35]

References

  1. ^ Gaudette, Emily (January 25, 2018). "'Rupal's Drag Race All Stars' Season 3: Meet Chi Chi DeVayne, Louisiana's Drag Queen Hero". Newsweek. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Paybarah, Azi (August 20, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne, Popular 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Dies at 34". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  3. ^ 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. ^ The Editors (January 25, 2018). "You Have to See Chi Chi DeVayne Make the Case For Purple Makeup". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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 13, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2018. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; August 23, 2017 suggested (help)
  9. ^ Guerra, Joey (May 4, 2016). "Chi Chi DeVayne talks life-changing 'Drag Race' experience". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "Episode 75 – Chi Chi DeVayne". RuPaul: What's the Tee?. December 7, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  11. ^ Nunn, Jerry (November 15, 2017). "Chi Chi DeVayne". Chicago Pride. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  12. ^ Cooper, Mariah (November 16, 2017). "'Drag Race' queens unite for Xmas show". Washington Blade. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "Instagram Star Max Emerson's "Drag Babies" Set to Premiere". Metrosource. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  14. ^ a b Sava, Oliver. "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars returns when we need it most". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  15. ^ Miller, Shannon (August 20, 2020). "R.I.P. RuPaul's Drag Race and All-Star alum Chi Chi DeVayne". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 20, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ a b Rosario, Alexandra Del; Rosario, Alexandra Del (August 20, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne Dies: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Zavion Davenport Was 34". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  17. ^ Oliver, Isaac (March 2, 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars': A Shocking Elimination". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  18. ^ Kelleher, Patrick. "RuPaul's Drag Race royalty Chi Chi DeVayne has been rushed to hospital with suspected kidney failure". PinkNews. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Welsh, Daniel (July 19, 2020). "Chi Chi DeVayne 'Overwhelmed' by 'Outpouring of Love' Since Being Hospitalised". HuffPost. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  20. ^ Lewis, Isobel (August 17, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne readmitted to hospital following pneumonia diagnosis". The Independent. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  21. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 20, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race queen Chi Chi DeVayne dies at 34". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Rudolph, Christopher. "Check Out Chi Chi DeVayne in the First Trailer for Apple TV+ Series "Little America"". NewNowNext.com. Logo TV. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  23. ^ Dior, Chiffon (December 16, 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Family Matters". Vulture.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Randy Boo (February 22, 2020), GFY, retrieved February 23, 2020
  25. ^ Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 – Episode 1 'Keeping It 100!'. YouTube. March 8, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  26. ^ CuCuConfessions ft. (ChiChi DeVayne). YouTube. August 11, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  27. ^ How to Makeup: Chi Chi DeVayne's Red Lip. YouTube. December 11, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  28. ^ Chi Chi DeVayne: Craigslist Missed Connections – WOW Presents Plus Sneak Peek. YouTube. December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  29. ^ Chi Chi DeVayne | Cosmo Queens | Cosmopolitan. YouTube. January 29, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  30. ^ Drag Babies: Project #1 "What The Hell Are We Doing?". YouTube. March 13, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  31. ^ Whatcha Packin: Chi Chi DeVayne | Season 3 Episode 4 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  32. ^ Chi Chi DeVayne on Hey Qween! Valentine's Special with Jonny McGovern. YouTube. February 14, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  33. ^ All Stars 5 Episode 2 x Bootleg Opinions with Chi Chi DeVayne!. Yuhua Hamasaki. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  34. ^ "'Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne Dead at 34". Billboard. August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  35. ^ Countryman, Eli (August 20, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Chi Chi DeVayne Dies at 34". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2020.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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