ABOVE: Lady Red Couture (R) co-hosted the YouTube talk show “Hey Qween!” with comedian Jonny McGovern. (Photo courtesy Lady Red Couture’s Facebook)
Lady Red Couture, transgender drag queen and co-host of the YouTube talk show “Hey Qween!,” has passed away due to complications from a chronic condition the online personality had.
Couture had the chronic condition cyclic vomiting syndrome and was hospitalized July 19 for complications that arose from the condition.
Last night I had to rush our beautiful Lady Red to the hospital due to complications with her chronic condition-cyclic vomiting syndrome. Thsnk god she is Covid negative but She is in bad shape & in the ICU. You can donate to help her at Venmo: LadyRedCouture pic.twitter.com/bdKT3zKr2j
— Jonny McGovern (@GayPimp) July 20, 2020
Initially, she appeared to have made some progress since first being admitted. According to an Instagram post from comedian and “Hey Qween!” co-host Jonny McGovern, Couture’s condition had stabilized and a release from the ICU seemed likely.
However, on the morning of July 25, her condition deteriorated suddenly, leading to her death.
“She had an episode and coded and she was gone,” McGovern wrote in a tweet.
It doesn’t feel real but the beautiful light that was Lady Red is gone. #RIPLadyRed I love you baby. I will miss you everyday. pic.twitter.com/IXBT2hhITR
— Jonny McGovern (@GayPimp) July 25, 2020
McGovern is devastated by the loss of his “sister, creative partner and best friend.”
“It doesn’t feel real but the beautiful light that was Lady Red is gone,” McGovern wrote. “I love you baby. I will miss you every day.”
Prominent members of the drag community quickly chimed in to share their condolences.
“She was a true sister and friend to everyone she met,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 7 contestant Ginger Minj wrote. “One of the kindest souls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.”
I am so heartbroken by the news of our Lady Red Couture passing away. She was a true sister and friend to everyone she met. One of the kindest souls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Can 2020 just fuck off already? pic.twitter.com/jFOiOX9lTD
— Ginger Minj (@TheGingerMinj) July 25, 2020
“Walking down the street every night will not be the same without your hugs and chats,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 6 contestant Adore Delano wrote. “The world won’t be the same without your laugh.”
Lady Red Couture.. Such a bright ass light for many of us. Walking down the street every night will not be the same without your hugs & chats. The world won’t be the same without your laugh. Rest In Peace, beautiful. 💔 pic.twitter.com/EFlfiSSNSR
— Adore Delano (@AdoreDelano) July 25, 2020
“One of the most fun gals I ever worked with, who put many smiles on many faces,” drag queen Lady Bunny wrote.
Awful news: Lady Red Couture, the co-host of Hey Kween!, natural comic & terrific singer has passed. (That’s her waving in front with the nails.) One of the most fun gals I ever worked with, who put many smiles on many faces. RIP. pic.twitter.com/KAwGdqQwJl
— LADY BUNNY (@LADYBUNNY77) July 25, 2020
“I’ll never forget the day I met her at DragCon and how amazingly warm and captivating she was,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 9 winner Sasha Velour wrote.
So sad to hear of the loss of Lady Red Couture. I’ll never forget the day I met her at DragCon and how amazingly warm and captivating she was. Venmo LadyRedCouture to help her family with final arrangements. This beautiful photo of Lady Red by @trashqueen pic.twitter.com/7UYhoWCszv
— Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) July 26, 2020
Described as “the gayest talk show of all time,” “Hey Qween!” featured Couture and McGovern discussing an assortment of relevant topics and interviewing LGBTQ+ public figures.
Couture was a staple of the Los Angeles community. According to Out Magazine, “[s]he worked at venues like Hamburger Mary’s and developed a reputation for being the ‘largest live-singing drag queen,’” as well as “helped to produce drag shows.”
She aspired to innovate the art form of drag by combining “drag, burlesque and live singing.”
“I have never seen a girl do that and I would love to be the first to do that,” she said in her audition tape for season six of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Couture also used her visibility as a Black trans woman to call attention to the inequalities faced by the Black trans community.
“I am a Black, American trans woman who is making a difference in this world and all I’m asking is that you love me like I love you,” she said in an Instagram post from June. “I shouldn’t be afraid to go to the store after a certain time because I’m Black. I shouldn’t be afraid and neither should you.”
A GoFundMe page to raise money for Couture’s funeral is currently in the works.
Thank you everyone who reported the fake gofundme it was deactivated So everyone should get their money back. I’ll post when I have an official gofundme set up to help with her arrangements.
— Jonny McGovern (@GayPimp) July 26, 2020
