Lady Red Couture, Legendary Drag Queen, Has Died
It’s been a hell of a weekend for losses––and the sadness just keeps coming. Another legend has sashayed away up to that giant runway in the sky. Yesterday, Lady Red Couture, legendary queen and co-host of the YouTube drag-themed chat show, “Hey Qween”, died. She was only 43.
According to Metro, the horrible news was confirmed yesterday by fellow “Hey Qween” host and best friend, Jonny McGovern, who posted the message to his Instagram:
Apparently, Lady Red had been in the ICU since last Sunday as a result of a horrible sounding chronic health condition called cycling vomiting syndrome. Since then, Johnny had been updating fans and friends via social media, and even reported on Friday that Lady Red had stabilized and would soon be moving out of intensive care. But sadly, things took a turn for the worse last night. Now, the crowdfunding that Johnny had been advertising all week for medical bills and rehabilitation will go towards helping Red’s family with funeral arrangements.
For those who knew her, Lady Red was more than just an entertainer. She was a house mother, a drag mentor, and a pillar of Los Angeles’ drag and trans communities, as evidenced by her supreme hosting skills and for producing local shows like “Black Girl Magic”.
Earlier this year, Lady Red did an interview for Harper’s Bazaar, and they referred to her as one of America’s most legendary drag queens.
Mother Couture, as she’s often known, describes herself as the “largest live-singing drag queen in captivity,” and her commanding presence warrants comparison to Patti LaBelle, with the addition of a lime-green tongue piercing.
“I’ve been around for a long time,” she told us, “so anything that sparkles or shines, I’m very good at.” When we implored her to elaborate upon her motherly role mentoring younger queens, she confessed, “I call it stealing their energy, because that’s really what it is. I always tell them: Don’t live in muck and mire, because it’s unnecessary. The devil is on his job, so why shouldn’t we be?”
Needless to say, the hurt has been felt throughout various communities:
Oh my god I can’t believe Lady Red has died. She brought me so much joy the past few years when my manic ass was working the WeHo beat. Rest easy, beautiful soul ❤️❤️👠
— Катя (@katya_zamo) July 25, 2020
Heartbreaking. Another sweet, talented legend gone. Sending all my love to Johnny and Lady Red Coture’s family. ❤️ RIP https://t.co/Oj5IFGjw0H
— Ross Mathews (@helloross) July 25, 2020
Sending my love to u @GayPimp and all her family/friends in this immense time of loss. Lady Red. I can’t believe this. 💔 she was such a joy of a person. Her laugh. Her smile.
— Shangela (@itsSHANGELA) July 25, 2020
Sending love The Hey Qween family. Rest in Power to this gorgeous soul. pic.twitter.com/73YIsULBJB
— Black Lives Still Matter (@thatonequeen) July 25, 2020
Some people have personalities too big for this world, so they’re called on to greatness. Lady Red @Mothercouture was one of them.
Rest in power, Queen. 👑 pic.twitter.com/pHEXhtvbVT
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) July 25, 2020
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
Last week I filmed a new @heyqweentv interview and Lady Red was out sick so we talked to her as if she was there…she was going to film her parts later on, now she’s gone. R.i.p Lady Red. 💔This pic is from my first time meeting her in 2017. She will be truly missed by many 😢 pic.twitter.com/xlzW4hu6Ax
— Isis King (@MsIsisKing) July 25, 2020
I can’t stop thinking about this sweet angel. If you are capable and have it in you, please give a little help to @Mothercouture’s @venmo so her family may make the proper arrangements to send this beautiful soul up. https://t.co/YizkPX347r https://t.co/vDWs0RHWEq
— Detox (@TheOnlyDetox) July 25, 2020
For those who never got to see Lady Red perform, treat yourself to one of her many great covers below:
Pic: Twitter