ABOVE: Star Montrese Love. Photo via her Facebook page.
ST. PETERSBURG | Tampa Bay performer Star Montrese Love, also known as Star Hayes, died May 31. The beloved entertainer was 43.
Star, who had previously been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, captivated audiences in and outside of the local drag scene for years. Her sister Chrissii Wright confirmed her death via social media June 1, having previously shared she was “comfortably transitioning from this life to the next” on May 30.
The entertainer grew up in St. Petersburg and described herself as “a pageant girl to start with.” She won Miss Clearwater Newcomer in 2001 – the first pageant she entered – following in the footsteps of Aspen Love, her late drag mother and a fellow drag legend who won the crown in 2000.
“We were both trying to grow up in this pageant drag world together,” Star told Watermark in 2019. “I dressed Aspen in 2000 and I said, “oh my god, Mom, I want to do this. I started getting ready the next year.”
Star subsequently became the first Miss St Pete Pride in 2009 and among other titles, reigned as Miss Polk Gay Pride 2019. She reflected on her 10-year mark of winning Miss St Pete Pride with Watermark that year.
“St Pete Pride has always been my heart,” she shared. “It’s been a whirlwind … always one of the titles that I love.”
It further instilled in her the importance of giving back to the community, she noted, something she was well known for. Star participated in numerous benefits for her peers throughout her drag career.
“I’ve just always been one of those girls that has been willing to give and that’s just always been my nature,” she explained. “I’ve always been one of those people that thinks it’s better to give than to receive and I really live by that, so I don’t have a problem with giving someone the shirt off my back.”
“They supported me when I was nothing,” she continued. “When I got sick two years ago, the community came together to help. That makes me happy that I do what I do – and I’m going to continue to do what I do, forever.”
St Pete Pride is expected to honor their representative ahead of this year’s 20th celebration. Multiple tributes from drag pageants and fellow performers have also been shared in Star’s honor since May 30.
“Our hearts are breaking,” the Polk Pride System shared via social media. “She would help anyone with anything and she is one of the kindest individuals we have ever had the pleasure encountering and working with.
“Her positive light shines on through those individuals she has left a impression on,” they continued. “We’re sending all our love, positive light and energy to her family, friends and loved ones in this difficult time.”
Watermark confirmed Star’s passing with Wright. She noted that “it’s hard to get the words to express her, I feel like they would only minimize who she was and is to me.”
In a video, she also expressed that her sister “would have wanted me to thank you guys for all of the love that you guys are giving her.”
