RuPaul has broken his silence following the death of Drag Race star Chi Chi DeVayne, at the age of just 34,
The 59-year-old host of RuPaul's Drag Race posted a touching tribute to one of the series' most popular contestants, after news of her death was announced.
Taking to Twitter, using the show's official account, RuPaul shared his condolences and described Chi Chi's "beautiful soul."
Alongside a photo of the Drag Race star, RuPaul wrote: "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.
"She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all."
In a follow-up tweet, RuPaul added: "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."
Chi Chi, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, was hospitalised with pneumonia last week where she asked fans to pray for her.
She was also admitted to hospital with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure in July.
Speaking to her fans on social media, Chi Chi said she had catheters to her heart and kidneys surgically installed before undergoing dialysis.
Chi Chi, who appeared on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race before coming back in the third season of the All Stars version, also lived with scleroderma.
This is 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.
Her death comes just days after she posted a video of herself in a hospital gown on Instagram.
She told her fans: "Hey guys, I'm back in [hospital]. Keep me in your prayers, I'll be back soon.
"Currently battling pneumonia so I’ll be MIA for a few more days."
Originally she went into hospital with a suspected kidney failure and she was discharged days later in July.
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