RuPaul dedicated record fifth Emmy win to late drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne

After scooping his record fifth Emmy Award, RuPaul decided to graciously dedicate the win to late drag queen Chi Chi DeVayne.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race host, 59, reached new career heights for the most victories in the Competition Program category’s 13-year history.

And as he accepted his monumental award for the hit show, the beloved host touched hearts around the globe when he dedicated his win to Chi Chi, who tragically passed away in August at the age of 34.

Picking up the award – digitally, of course – RuPaul – whose full name is RuPaul Andre Charles – graciously dedicated the award to Chi Chi before urging fans to vote in the upcoming general election in the US.

He said: “On behalf of VH1, World of Wonder, and our incredible cast and crew, I want to thank the Academy for this great honor. I’ve always said, every time I bat my false eyelashes, I’m making a political statement.

“Well, tonight, the only political statement I want to make is this: Love.

“Love for our LGBT brothers and sisters, love for Black queens and brown queens, and love for the United States of America, where a little gay boy with nothing more than a pussycat wig and a dream can build an international platform that celebrates sweet, sensitive souls everywhere.”

He added: “I’d like to dedicate this Emmy to one of my girls, Chi Chi DeVayne, may you rest in power and perfection.”

Chi Chi passed away in August after being hospitalised with pneumonia.

She was also admitted to hospital with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure in July.

Chi Chi told fans that she had catheters to her heart and kidneys surgically installed before undergoing dialysis.

She lived with scleroderma, a rare, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the immune system attacking the tissue under the skin, and around internal organs and blood vessels, which can also cause scarring and thickening of tissue.

Chi Chi was the stage name of Zavion Davenport.

She appeared on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and also starred in the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

After the tragedy, RuPaul broke his silence on her death.

“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,” he shared.

“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.”

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