RuPaul Drag Race's Sahara Davenport Dead At 27
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | October 02, 2012
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.