A Philadelphia drag performer beloved by the native LGBTQ group died Monday night time throughout a efficiency at a well-liked homosexual bar.
Valencia Prime, 25, was acting at Tabu Lounge and Sports activities bar, within the coronary heart of Philadelphia’s Gayborhood, when she collapsed on stage, bar proprietor Jeffrey Sotland mentioned.
“At the moment we mourn the lack of a really shiny and rising star within the efficiency group and an individual who was at all times full of affection and positivity,” the venue mentioned in an announcement shared on social media. “We are saying goodbye to Valencia Prime however we won’t neglect the sunshine you dropped at the stage.”
Tributes from different performers poured in after information unfold of Prime’s demise. Prime, a transgender lady, had coined herself “Philadelphia’s plus-size dancing diva.”
“This group has suffered a lot loss in the previous few years. Valencia Prime was a expertise and a pleasant individual. Relaxation in energy, babe,” Timarree Leigh, a sexuality educator and burlesque performer, tweeted.
“I had a good time working with Valencia and can genuinely miss her,” Leigh advised NBC Information by way of Fb messenger. “She was gifted, enjoyable, form and introduced actually nice vitality. Her loss is devastating to an entire scene of individuals she influenced and impressed.”
Drag queen Brittany Lynn, whose actual identify is Ian Morrison, additionally shared a message in Prime’s honor: “Valencia Prime you’ll be sorely missed. You had been at all times up for a gig or messaging me afterwards saying ‘good job sir.’ Out & About will at all times be devoted to you and all that you simply did for everybody. Maintain twirling ma’am,” she wrote on Fb.
Drag artist Aloe Vera, whose actual identify is Anthony Veltre, typically carried out alongside Prime. In a Fb message, Veltre mentioned, “You might be and can perpetually be my mild. I want I knew how one can preserve going with out you. I want I knew how one can be inspiring too others which might be hurting proper now… however a bit of my soul has been taken from me and I’m struggling to select myself up off the bottom with out you. I like you with every part in my coronary heart Valencia. Relaxation in energy.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser created on behalf of Prime’s family members for funeral bills has already surpassed its $8,000 preliminary aim.
“We might love for the group to assist her mom and the remainder of her household give her the correct memorial we all know she deserves,” the GoFundMe web page reads. “We would like you all to know that your kindness & help is way appreciated and hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Nikita Sinnn Monroe, who organized the GoFundMe fundraiser, advised NBC Information that Prime was initially from Delran, New Jersey, however was residing in Philadelphia on the time of her demise. Based on Prime’s Fb web page, she graduated from Delran Excessive Faculty in 2015, and later attended Rowan Faculty at Burlington County in New Jersey and Temple College in Philadelphia.
On Tuesday, Prime’s mom, Christiana Marcus-McRae, wrote on Fb, “25 yrs in the past, April 2nd at 7:58pm, I gave beginning to my 2nd youngster and at present, I’m making funeral preparations…”
Marcus-McRae didn’t instantly return NBC Information’ request for remark.
Prime’s reason behind demise has not been shared by the household or authorities.
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Tim Winton
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