Chi Chi DeVayne


Chi Chi DeVayne is the stage name of Zavion Davenport, an American drag queen and reality television personality who came to international attention on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

Early life

DeVayne is from Shreveport, Louisiana. She stated in her youth she was "always a little performer. My uncle used to stage talent shows with all us cousins, and my mom saw something in me. She had me in gymnastics, and I was in a dance company in my twenties." Growing up, she had a "hard knocks life"; she carried a gun, got into trouble, and joined gangs.

Drag career

DeVayne's drag name came in part from the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, and then DeVayne came from the "legendary" DeVaynes of Shreveport. Her drag mothers are Kourtni Devayne and Lady Phat Kat.
DeVayne competed in the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on March 7, 2016. The Huffington Posts James Michael Nichols stated "Chi Chi was the dark-horse this season, walking through the doors in the first episode in a dress literally made out of garbage bags." DeVayne made it to the top four, but was eliminated before Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, and Bob the Drag Queen, who ended up taking the crown. DeVayne stated the experience "changed everything in my life. Everything has turned in a different direction. Before, I was just like, 'What's a good job that I could get here in town, working in a factory.' It's crazy."
After appearing on season 8, DeVayne started working full time as a drag queen. One of her performances with Kennedy Davenport was hosted by the Star Theater in Portland. Previously, she worked two 9-5 jobs to support herself at one of the only two gay bars in Shreveport.
DeVayne enjoys using different shades of purple in her drag makeup.
DeVayne appeared on RuPaul's podcast
' in 2016. The next year, she was part of a holiday tour in November called A Drag Queen Christmas: the Naughty Tour, along with Sasha Velour, Shea Coulee, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Farrah Moan, Naomi Smalls, and Eureka O'Hara.
In March 2018, Chi-Chi was a part of Max Emerson's
Drag Babies series, hosted by Bob the Drag Queen. She was a Drag Mentor, alongside Peppermint and Shuga Cain.
DeVayne was asked to come back to
RuPaul's Drag Race'' for the third season of All Stars, which premiered January 25, 2018. She was eliminated in episode 4, placing 8th

Personal life

On July 17, 2020, Davenport was rushed to the hospital for kidney failure. Two days later she posted an update on social media saying "I let it go too long without going to the doctor and these are the consequences", as well as showing appreciation for the outpouring of support from her fans and colleagues. She stated that she is now undergoing dialysis treatment.

Filmography

Television

Theatre

Music Videos

Web series

Discography

Singles

Featured singles