The entertainer, born Antoine Ashley, was just 27.
Sahara Davenport, a drag queen and television personality best known for participating in season two of RuPaul's Drag Race, has passed away. He was 27 years old.
The cause of Davenport's death is unclear, but the Dallas native is mourned by his partner and fellow Drag Race contestant Karl Westerberg, also known as Manila Luzon. "I love him so much," Luzon tweeted yesterday. RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage tweeted, “It’s true and I have no words. Have to sign off for now kids, can’t handle this. XOXO.” Popular LGBT web site Queerty also confirmed the tragic news.
RuPaul broke his silence to express condolences on Twitter this morning. "Shocked & heartbroken over @SaharaDavenport. Never occurred to me that we'd ever lose one of my girls. I see them as immortal," he wrote.
Before gaining fame on national television, Davenport (born Antoine Ashley) got his start as a performer in New York City, dancing in various clubs and in music videos. He made a splash impersonating Beyoncé in a television pilot and Whitney Houston on Drag Race. Davenport also pursued a singing career, with his single "Go Off" charting on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs.
"Logo is profoundly saddened by the passing of Antoine Ashley who fans around the world knew and loved as Sahara Davenport. He was an amazing artist and entertainer who'll be deeply missed by his Logo family. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, especially his boyfriend Karl, in their time of need," the network which airs Drag Race said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
Our thoughts are with Davenport's family and loved ones.
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(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images)
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