RuPaul’s Drag Race’s universe of vibrant and proficient drag queens has endured quite a few heartbreaking losses and well being scares over time.

When Drag Race loses certainly one of its personal — or if there’s a performer in disaster — the worldwide group of queens has proven great compassion in honoring their colleagues.

Queens can all the time depend on encouragement and assist from the franchise’s passionate fanbase within the hardest of instances— most not too long ago exemplified by the outpouring of affection for Drag Race season 4 queen and Drag Race Philippines choose Jiggly Caliente when a part of her proper leg was surgically amputated on account of a extreme an infection. Caliente (actual identify Bianca Castro) died of issues in April 2025 at age 44.

Keep scrolling for a take a look at how the Drag Race solid and followers got here collectively when tragedy struck members of their group:

Jiggly Caliente

Caliente’s group shared the stunning information in April 2025 that she’d endured “the loss of most of her right leg” on account of a “severe infection.”

Her representatives confirmed in a press release that Caliente must step again from her judging function on Drag Race Philippines and chorus from any “public engagements” throughout her “extensive” restoration.

“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy for Bianca and her family, as they navigate this difficult journey together,” the assertion learn. “While Jiggly concentrates on healing, we invite friends, fans and community to uplift her with messages of hope and love on her social media channels.”

The assertion concluded, “Bianca’s family and drag house are deeply grateful for the continued outpouring of support, strength and prayers.”

Later that month, Caliente’s household introduced the information of her loss of life in an emotional assertion by way of Instagram.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente,” the assertion learn. “Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.”

“Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever,” the assertion continued. “She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered.”

The Vivienne

The Drag Race UK season 1 winner (actual identify: James Lee Williams) died at age 32 from cardiac arrest attributable to use of the highly effective anesthetic drug ketamine in January 2025.

The Vivienne spoke overtly about her habit struggles throughout her time on Drag Race UK and lent assist to the Armistead Centre in Liverpool’s rehabilitation program throughout her lifetime.

Following her tragic loss of life, The Vivienne’s household promised to work with substance abuse charity, Adferiad, on a marketing campaign to encourage extra open dialogue about habit.

“Ketamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.K.,” the Williams household mentioned. “If we can help raise awareness of the dangers of this drug and help people who may be dealing with ketamine addiction then something positive will come from this complete tragedy.”

Related: Celebrity Deaths of 2025: All the Stars We’ve Lost This Year

From filmmakers to artists, Hollywood misplaced a number of stars in 2025. News broke on January 4 that Aubrey Plaza’s estranged husband, Jeff Baena, died in the future earlier on the age of 47. Per health worker information considered by Us Weekly, Baena died by suicide. “This is an unimaginable tragedy,” Plaza’s rep mentioned in a press release to […]

RuPaul was amongst these to publicly memorialize The Vivienne, writing by way of Instagram, “With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne — an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.”

Drag Race choose Michelle Visage referred to The Vivienne’s loss of life as “heartbreaking” in her personal assertion.

“I don’t know how to say how I feel,” she wrote by way of Instagram. “My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point. Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a beacon to so many.”

Drag Race manufacturing firm World of Wonder will launch a documentary about The Vivienne — titled Dear Viv — in 2025. The movie options remembrances from The Vivienne’s closest collaborators in addition to followers impacted by her legendary profession.

Morphine Love Dion and Kaos

Drag Race season 16’s Dion (actual identify Michelle Orozco) and Canada’s Drag Race season 3 star Kaos (actual identify Jesilo Bernard) suffered accidents in a automobile crash that left one particular person useless in Los Angeles on the ten freeway in July 2024.

Dion and Kaos had been touring in an Uber when their automobile was concerned in a multi-car pileup that despatched six folks to the hospital, along with the tragic lack of a passenger.

“Morphine was in a serious car accident while in an Uber,” Dion’s social media wrote by way of Instagram on the time. “She suffered multiple injuries but is grateful to be alive. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Some space and time is appreciated as she focuses on healing.”

Kaos additionally supplied an replace after the harmful collision, writing by way of Instagram, “Just so everyone knows I am OK just been on bed rest.”

The queens had been in Los Angeles to attend the annual DragCon fan occasion. Luckily, each have recovered from their accidents and at the moment are performing once more.

Chi Chi DeVayne

Season 8 and All Stars 3’s DeVayne (actual identify: Zavion Michael Davenport) was unquestionably some of the beloved queens in Drag Race historical past. Known because the “Dancing Diva of Texas” by colleagues and followers alike, DeVayne constantly shocked viewers together with her unbelievable choreography and acrobatic lip sync routines.

DeVayne shared in 2018 that she’d been recognized with the autoimmune illness Scleroderma, which may influence the flexibility of pores and skin, muscle tissues and blood vessels to perform correctly. The bodily toll of DeVayne’s analysis meant that she regularly misplaced the flexibility to bop on the excessive customary she’d set for herself.

The Drag Race universe united to mourn DeVayne when she died at age 34 in 2020 after contracting pneumonia whereas she was being handled for kidney failure.

“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne,” RuPaul informed Us Weekly in a press release on the time. “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. 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.”

Drag Race season 10 winner Aquaria praised DeVayne as “a symbol of kindness” whereas Trixie Mattel known as her an “iconic queen literally everyone in our industry will always love.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race devoted its season 13 finale to DeVayne in April 2021.

Bandit

The Drag Race Thailand contestant (actual identify: Bandit Janthawan) positioned fifth in season two, however her legacy was prolonged when she designed a few of host Pangina Heals’ costumes.

In addition to her time on actuality TV, Bandit launched a signature vogue capsule in 2011 and lectured on design at a number of universities.

Heals (actual identify: Pan Pan Narkprasert) confirmed to Entertainment Weekly in December 2023 that Bandit had died at age 38, although additional particulars about her loss of life weren’t made public.

“We’re all completely lost because Bandit has been a light.,” Heals mentioned. “He has taught me. I would not be the same person I am today without Bandit teaching me about fashion.”

Heals went on, “He’s been such a visionary, such a giver. He’s always telling other people, ‘You can do this’ or, ‘Do that to be better,’ in terms of making sure other people have their fashion game on. He was such a funny person, such charisma, such magnetism, and without him, all of us don’t know what to do.”

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

One of Drag Race’s most inspiring tales was Fontaine’s (actual identify: Carlos Díaz Hernández) comeback in season 9 after being recognized with most cancers.

Fontaine initially competed in Drag Race season 8, and was voted Miss Congeniality by her friends. She found she had stage 1 liver most cancers two weeks after finishing filming and underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy earlier than going into remission.

Drag Race invited Fontaine — nicknamed “Cucu” — again to compete in season 9, the place she positioned tenth. She informed Hey Qween in 2017 that she relished the prospect to share her most cancers restoration with Drag Race viewers.

“How happy I am to be in recovery and healthier than ever,” she informed host Jonny McGovern. “[I’m] still entertaining and sharing my ‘Cucu’ everywhere.”

Fontaine has one other shot at glory in 2025 as a part of the solid of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Tournament of All Stars.

Sahara Davenport

Davenport (actual identify: Antoine Ashley) made an unforgettable impression in Drag Race season 2 together with her class in addition to her intensive traditional dance coaching. She was a member of the famed Davenport drag home, with relations Kennedy Davenport and Honey Davenport following in her footsteps to compete on later seasons of Drag Race.

The musician and dancer tragically died at age 27 from congestive coronary heart failure in October 2012, simply two years after her season of Drag Race aired. Sahara was survived by associate and fellow Drag Race star Manila Luzon, who was quoted as saying on the time that she was “cherishing [Sahara’s] memories and carrying out his legacy.”

“I was lucky enough to have time with him,” Luzon (actual identify: Karl Philip Michael Westerberg) mentioned in 2012.

“Shocked and heartbroken over @SaharaDavenport,” RuPaul tweeted on the time. “Never occurred to me that we’d ever lose one of our girls. I see them as immortal.”

Cherry Valentine

Valentine (actual identify: George Ward) completed in twelfth place on Drag Race UK season 2, however her true legacy went past the competitors. She made historical past because the first-ever queen of Romani heritage to seem on any Drag Race franchise.

She later hosted the 2022 BBC documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, the place she explored her heritage as a part of the English Traveller group. Away from the stage, Valentine was a educated psychological well being nurse and spoke publicly in regards to the significance of self-care.

Her household made the unhappy announcement in September 2022 that Valentine had died at age 28. A coroner later decided she’d died by suicide, in accordance with BBC News.

“It is with the most heart wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George – Cherry Valentine – has tragically passed away,” Valentine’s household mentioned in a press release. “This will come as a profound shock to most people [and] we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced.”

An announcement from Drag Race UK learn, “We are heartbroken that Cherry has passed away. She was a kind soul who brought joy and a distinctive laugh to everyone she met. She brought flair, verve and charm to #DragRaceUK, we will miss her so deeply.”

“At a loss for words. One of those souls so pure, so raw, so real,” Valentine’s season two costar Bimini wrote by way of X. “I’m incredibly lucky to have known George and witnessed their infectious spirit. Their patience and kindness was their superpower. They saw you for you and not many people have that empathetic trait. My heart.”

Tia Kofi, one other Drag Race UK season 2 solid member, honored her buddy by carrying an outfit impressed by Valentine’s unique “Meet the Queens” promo look on RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World in 2024.

“I just thought it was really important that when I got the call to be here, I wanted to do something for [Cherry],” Kofi (actual identify: Lawrence John Bolton) defined within the Werk Room.

If you or somebody is struggling or in disaster, assist is on the market. Call or textual content 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

If you or somebody is fighting substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).