RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars’ Tragic Health Scares and Losses

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s universe of vibrant and talented drag queens has endured numerous heartbreaking losses and health scares over the years.

When Drag Race loses one of its own — or if there’s a performer in crisis — the global community of queens has shown tremendous compassion in honoring their colleagues.

Queens can always count on encouragement and support from the franchise’s passionate fanbase in the hardest of times— most recently exemplified by the outpouring of love for Drag Race season 4 queen and Drag Race Philippines judge Jiggly Caliente when part of her right leg was surgically amputated due to a severe infection. Caliente (real name Bianca Castro) died of complications in April 2025 at age 44.

Keep scrolling for a look at how the Drag Race cast and fans came together when tragedy struck members of their community:

Jiggly Caliente

Caliente’s team shared the shocking news in April 2025 that she’d endured “the loss of most of her right leg” due to a “severe infection.”

Her representatives confirmed in a statement that Caliente would have to step back from her judging role on Drag Race Philippines and refrain from any “public engagements” during her “extensive” recovery.

“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy for Bianca and her family, as they navigate this difficult journey together,” the statement read. “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 statement concluded, “Bianca’s family and drag house are deeply grateful for the continued outpouring of support, strength and prayers.”

Later that month, Caliente’s family announced the news of her death in an emotional statement via 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 statement read. “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 statement continued. “She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered.”

The Vivienne

The Drag Race UK season 1 winner (real name: James Lee Williams) died at age 32 from cardiac arrest caused by use of the powerful anesthetic drug ketamine in January 2025.

The Vivienne spoke openly about her addiction struggles during her time on Drag Race UK and lent support to the Armistead Centre in Liverpool’s rehabilitation program during her lifetime.

Following her tragic death, The Vivienne’s family promised to work with substance abuse charity, Adferiad, on a campaign to encourage more open dialogue about addiction.

“Ketamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.K.,” the Williams family said. “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.”

RuPaul was among those to publicly memorialize The Vivienne, writing via 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 judge Michelle Visage referred to The Vivienne’s death as “heartbreaking” in her own statement.

“I don’t know how to say how I feel,” she wrote via 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 production company World of Wonder will release a documentary about The Vivienne — titled Dear Viv — in 2025. The film features remembrances from The Vivienne’s closest collaborators as well as fans impacted by her legendary career.

Morphine Love Dion and Kaos

Drag Race season 16’s Dion (real name Michelle Orozco) and Canada’s Drag Race season 3 star Kaos (real name Jesilo Bernard) suffered injuries in a car crash that left one person dead in Los Angeles on the 10 freeway in July 2024.

Dion and Kaos were traveling in an Uber when their vehicle was involved in a multi-car pileup that sent six people to the hospital, in addition to the tragic loss of a passenger.

“Morphine was in a serious car accident while in an Uber,” Dion’s social media wrote via Instagram at 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 also offered an update after the dangerous collision, writing via Instagram, “Just so everyone knows I am OK just been on bed rest.”

The queens were in Los Angeles to attend the annual DragCon fan event. Luckily, both have recovered from their injuries and are now performing again.

Chi Chi DeVayne

Season 8 and All Stars 3’s DeVayne (real name: Zavion Michael Davenport) was unquestionably one of the most beloved queens in Drag Race history. Known as the “Dancing Diva of Texas” by colleagues and fans alike, DeVayne consistently stunned viewers with her incredible choreography and acrobatic lip sync routines.

DeVayne shared in 2018 that she’d been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Scleroderma, which can impact the ability of skin, muscles and blood vessels to function properly. The physical toll of DeVayne’s diagnosis meant that she gradually lost the ability to dance at the high standard she’d set for herself.

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

“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne,” RuPaul told Us Weekly in a statement at 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” while Trixie Mattel called her an “iconic queen literally everyone in our industry will always love.”

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

Bandit

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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