• Latest
  • Life
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Queerties
Queerty* Queerty* Pride
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • YouTube
  • newsletter
  • Menu
Close
Queerty*
  • Log in
  • Register
  • The Queerties 2021
  • Life
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Goods
  • Queerty Podcast
  • Video (Queerty TV)
  • Queerty Ever After
  • Dragaholic
  • Prepared
  • Health
  • LGBTQ Nation News
  • GayCities Travel Guides
  • Share a Tip
REST IN PEACE

Sahara Davenport’s Mother On Death: “I Thank God For Giving Me An Angel”

By Dan Avery October 3, 2012 at 4:10pm

This afternoon, an official statement confirmed the death of Antoine Ashley, also known as drag performer Sahara Davenport, on Monday morning at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Ashley was 27.

His mother, Angela Ashley Reddish, spoke fondly of her son:  “I thank God for giving me an angel… to share with the rest of the world. My family and I would like to thank everyone for their condolences and support. We know that our angel is now dancing in heaven. May God bless each and everyone.”

Boyfriend Karl Westerberg, also known as fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Manila Luzon, said Ashley “lived to entertain the world as Sahara Davenport.” But, explained Westerberg, their connection ran much deeper: “To me he will always be my best friend, my hero, my diva, and I have always considered myself more than lucky to have him be forever a part of my life. Thank you, hon, for bringing so much beauty to all of us. Your legacy lives on in me and all of us you’ve touched.”

In a Twitter post, RuPaul wrote “It never occurred to me that we’d ever lose one of my girls—I see them as immortal.”

A statement from a Logo spokesperson said the network was “profoundly saddened” by Ashley’s passing, calling him “an amazing artist and entertainer who’ll be deeply missed.” A special tribute will air on Logo on October 5, including an all-day marathon of Drag Race second season and special social-media interactions. The network will will also dedicate the October 22  of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race to Sahara’s memory.

A private funeral service is being scheduled for next week in Rockville, Maryland, but a public memorial celebration, is being planned for Friday, November 2, at New York’s XL nightclub. More information will be provided soon on Sahara Davenport’s Facebook Fan Page.

Donations to the Ashley family can be sent via PayPal to: [email protected]com. Flowers, cards and other forms of support can be mailed to Antoine’s mother: Angela Ashley Reddish at 1013 59th Avenue, Fairmount Heights, MD 20743.

antoine ashley Drag drag race Logo Manila Luzon obituary R.I.P. ruapul's drag race RuPaul Sahara Davenport sahara davenport death
View comments1

Get Queerty Daily

Subscribe to Queerty for a daily dose of #antoineashley #drag #dragrace stories and more

Featured on Queerty TV

One Comment

  • Dumdum

    I hope that she will be there to take me to heaven! I give my tears to no one. But SHE has mine forever. Love you GIRL.

    October 3, 2012 at 5:10pm

Comments are closed.

Articles you'll enjoy

This weekend, get to know the beauty of Tab Hunter
Screen Gems

This weekend, get to know the beauty of Tab Hunter

Today at 12:04pm
River Viiperi’s coconuts, Seth Falk’s new friend, & Ronnie Woo’s tasty plate
INSTASTUDS

River Viiperi’s coconuts, Seth Falk’s new friend, & Ronnie Woo’s tasty plate

There’s lots of backstage drama surrounding this new queer series about a closeted married man
plagiarism?

There’s lots of backstage drama surrounding this new queer series about a closeted married man

Moderna vaccine technology may finally help pave way for HIV vaccine
Breakthrough
9 comments

Moderna vaccine technology may finally help pave way for HIV vaccine

Today at 10:04am

Thumbnail LISTEN: Gay Demon (w/ Michael Henry)
Listen at: Apple · Spotify · Google · Stitcher

Popular on Queerty

This guy’s boyfriend read him bedtime stories… and charmed the Internet
Too cute
1.6K shares

This guy’s boyfriend read him bedtime stories… and charmed the Internet

It’s official: ‘Queer as Folk’ is coming back
Here & Queer
1.2K shares

It’s official: ‘Queer as Folk’ is coming back

Ex-gay adult film star/men’s rights activist announces run for office
pivot
1.2K shares

Ex-gay adult film star/men’s rights activist announces run for office

Matt Gaetz is maybe probably about to be arrested after his buddy rats him out, source says
impending doom
1.1K shares

Matt Gaetz is maybe probably about to be arrested after his buddy rats him out, source says

He did it: Lil Nas X takes “song about gay sex” to top of Billboard Hot 100
Landmark
7 comments

He did it: Lil Nas X takes “song about gay sex” to top of Billboard Hot 100


Latest on Queerty

This weekend, get to know the beauty of Tab Hunter
Screen Gems

This weekend, get to know the beauty of Tab Hunter

Today at 12:04pm
River Viiperi’s coconuts, Seth Falk’s new friend, & Ronnie Woo’s tasty plate
INSTASTUDS

River Viiperi’s coconuts, Seth Falk’s new friend, & Ronnie Woo’s tasty plate

There’s lots of backstage drama surrounding this new queer series about a closeted married man
plagiarism?

There’s lots of backstage drama surrounding this new queer series about a closeted married man

Moderna vaccine technology may finally help pave way for HIV vaccine
Breakthrough
9 comments

Moderna vaccine technology may finally help pave way for HIV vaccine

Today at 10:04am
Meet Maki Bonificio, the Filipino, gay comic ‘Trying Hard’ to find love in Nashville
Getting 'Hard'

Meet Maki Bonificio, the Filipino, gay comic ‘Trying Hard’ to find love in Nashville

PHOTOS: Dream of Dublin with these lovely Irish guys
wanderlust

PHOTOS: Dream of Dublin with these lovely Irish guys

Today at 8:04am
Michael Henry has thoughts on mastering the art of YouTube, plus gay demons!
Add to queue

Michael Henry has thoughts on mastering the art of YouTube, plus gay demons!

This weekend, dive into the wacky world of QAnon. You’ll want to laugh, scream, or maybe both.
Weekend Binge

This weekend, dive into the wacky world of QAnon. You’ll want to laugh, scream, or maybe both.

FFS Meghan Markle is actually being blamed for Prince Philip’s death
witch hunt
51 comments

FFS Meghan Markle is actually being blamed for Prince Philip’s death

10 perfect wellness escapes in the Grand Canyon state
wanderlust

10 perfect wellness escapes in the Grand Canyon state

Presented by Arizona 2021
SPONSORED
One of Hollywood’s most powerful gay men accused of being “absolute monster” in bombshell exposé
exposed
20 comments

One of Hollywood’s most powerful gay men accused of being “absolute monster” in bombshell exposé

Emma Corrin, Princess Diana of ‘The Crown,’ appears to have come out
Closet Door Bustdown

Emma Corrin, Princess Diana of ‘The Crown,’ appears to have come out

Free of an agenda (except that gay one)
Adam Rippon Freddie Mercury Gus Kenworthy Nick Jonas Nico Tortorella Pietro Boselli Ricky Martin Russell Tovey Zac Efron
Donald Trump Homophobia Coming Out Rupaul's Drag Race Scandal Religion Relationships Grindr
  • Q.digital
  • A Q.Digital Company
  • © 2021 Queerty, Inc.
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact

  • Share a Tip
  • Comments Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Follow

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • GayCities: Your Gay Travel Guide:

  • New York
  • London
  • San Francisco
  • Chicago
  • Los Angeles
  • Washington DC
  • Dallas
  • Gay Saskatoon
  • See all 230+ cities...