Sahara Davenport, a contestant on
RuPaul's Drag Race, real name Antoine Ashley, has died at the
age of 27.
Logo, the network behind the drag
reality series, mourned the loss in a statement released Tuesday.
“Logo is profoundly saddened by the
passing of Antoine Ashley who fans around the world knew and loved as
Sahara Davenport,” Logo said in a Facebook post.
“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
[Westerberg], in their time of need,” Logo added, a reference to
Manila Luzon, who also competed on the popular show.
“I loved him so much,” Luzon
tweeted.
The cabler did not list a cause of
death.
“Shocked & heartbroken over
@SaharaDavenport,” messaged RuPaul on Twitter. “Never occurred
to me that we'd ever lose one of my girls. I see them as immortal.”
Other former contestants also mourned
the loss.
“I can not sleep … my heart goes
out to all my Drag race family..mostly though, to my beautiful sister
Manila..,” tweeted Sharon Needles.
Davenport graduated from Southern
Methodist University in Dallas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance.
After graduation he moved to New York City, People.com
reported.