Sahara Davenport from season two of RuPaul's Drag Race,
real name Antoine Ashley, died on Tuesday at the age of 27, and former
contestants and friends of Davenport sounded off their support on
Facebook and Twitter.
Davenport, whose cause of death is unknown at this time, according to People, came in seventh in her season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2010, and also had roles in 15 Films About Madonna,
Magnificent Obsessions and One Life to Live.
"Logo is profoundly saddened by the passing of Antoine Ashley who
fans around the world knew and loved as Sahara Davenport. 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, in their time of need," wrote Logo on their Facebook
page.
Davenport, who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from the
Southern Methodist University of Dallas, also released two singles after
her appearance on RuPaul's show, "Pump with Me" in 2010 and "Go Off" in
2011. "I had to build my name here by doing talent nights, talent
competitions and networking and meeting all the working girls and figure
out how to work this animal of New York City," she told the New York Times in 2009.
"The New York scene is so much bigger than in Dallas," she told the
paper. I"n Dallas it’s just a strip. It’s like, a block. What has helped
me: There aren’t a lot of girls who dance, who are as refined in
dancing. That is what draws people to see me. The dance, and the
prettiness."
After learning of Davenport's death, RuPaul tweeted, "Shocked &
heartbroken over @SaharaDavenport. Never occurred to me that we'd ever
lose one of my girls. I see them as immortal."
Manila Luzon, also known as Karl Westerberg, who was a contestant on season three of RuPaul's Drag Race, tweeted simply, "I love him so much," on Sunday night.