Scroll To Top

Drag Stars Mourn Death of San Francisco Legend Heklina

| 04/04/23

Drag Stars Mourn Death of San Francisco Legend Heklina

Rest in Power, Heklina!

\u201chttps://t.co/UoyC4wDYHV\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796

San Francisco drag queen, actor, and entrepreneur Heklina has passed away at 55 years of age.

Besides founding the drag club Mother (formerly known as Trannyshack) in 1996, Heklina was best known for playing Dorothy Zbornak in drag productions of Golden Girls, collaborating in multiple projects with Peaches Christ, and being a main fixture in the San Francisco drag scene.

On TV, Heklina made appearances on The Cho Show, The Daily Show, The Ricki Lake Show, and Jerry Springer. She also starred in drag queen spoof films such as 2002’s A Nightmare on Castro Street, 2004’s Whatever Happened to Peaches Christ?, and 2010’s Baby Jane?.

In 2022, Heklina and Peaches Christ starred in the drag parody Mommie Queerest in US theaters. As of April 2023, the two drag legends were scheduled to tour around the UK with this new production. But on Monday, April 3, Peaches Christ reported the passing of Heklina while already in London, writing:

“I am shocked and horrified to bring this news to you. I am living in a real-life nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all the answers just now. This morning, in London, England, I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead. I do not know the cause of death yet. I know this is shocking news and I am beyond stunned, but I wanted to let folks know what has happened. Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community. I am a mess. Given this crisis, please do not try to contact me as I am utterly heartbroken, stunned, and focusing on what needs to get done next. I shall be in touch.”

Now, high-profile drag performers are all mourning the loss of Heklina, who was an absolute icon to the LGBTQ+ community at large.

Scroll through to see drag stars’ reactions to the passing of Heklina.

Jinkx Monsoon

See on Instagram

Trixie Mattel

\u201cIcon! Heklina was punk rock and made drag what it is today. Legend. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d
— Trixie Mattel\u2122 (@Trixie Mattel\u2122) 1680563643

Bianca Del Rio

See on Instagram

Shea Couleé

\u201c@sfoasis I\u2019m legitimately SO SORRY for your loss. Heklina was so incredibly kind and warm. Such an incredible supporter of fellow queens, and she made me feel like family anytime I came to Oasis. Sending y\u2019all so much love, and my deepest condolences \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— OASIS (@OASIS) 1680559029

BenDeLaCreme

See on Instagram

Yvie Oddly

\u201cI\u2019m heartbroken to hear about @Heklina\u2019s passing. She wasn\u2019t just a staple in the drag community, she was a whole-ass stapler. RIP queen\u201d
— Yvie Oddly (@Yvie Oddly) 1680571935

Raja

See on Instagram

Lady Camden

\u201c@Heklina is and always will be a San Francisco legend. Hilarious, humble and encouraging. \ud83d\udc94 We\u2019re lucky to have had you.\u201d
— Lady Camden (@Lady Camden) 1680573158

Lady Bunny

See on Instagram

Ginger Minj

\u201c\ud83d\udc94 over the loss of the legendary #heklina \u2026 she was funny, punk, groundbreaking, a good friend, surrogate drag mother, the best at suggesting restaurants, and the absolute epitome of the word COOL! I loved her, I love her, and the world will miss her so much. #ripheklina\u201d
— Ginger Minj (@Ginger Minj) 1680568045

Laganja Estranja

Instagram

Milk

\u201cthis Heklina news \ud83e\udd7a\ud83d\ude25\u201d
— MILK (@MILK) 1680561220

Jackie Beat

See on Instagram

Pandora Boxx

\u201cI\u2019m absolutely gutted right now. Heklina was a drag legend and I adored her. She was a blast to work with. I will cherish the memories I have of her. Sending love out to all of her family and friends in this tragic time. You will be missed by many. \ud83d\ude22\ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Pandora Boxx (@Pandora Boxx) 1680559600

Nicky Doll

Instagram

Peppermint

See on Instagram

Biqtch Puddin’

\u201cRest in Power @Heklina, the community really lost a Legend today. Was an honor to have gotten to work with you. Sharing a dressing room with this woman is a RIOT to say the least. Y\u2019all def better laugh today, hers was one of the best. \ud83d\udc9b\u2728\u201d
— Biqtch Puddin\u2019 (@Biqtch Puddin\u2019) 1680557007

Loosey LaDuca

Instagram

Divina De Campo

\u201cSuch sad news RIP Heklina x\u201d
— Divina De Campo stream DECODED (@Divina De Campo stream DECODED) 1680594458

The Vixen

\u201c@PeachesChrist Deepest condolences \ud83d\udc9c\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796

Brooke Lynn Hytes

Instagram

Eve 6000

\u201cWow. RIP Heklina. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Eve 6000 \ud83e\udd8b (@Eve 6000 \ud83e\udd8b) 1680558470

Coco Peru

\u201cI'm heartbroken. We communicated nearly everyday and nothing made me happier than making her cackle. We visited recently and I'm so grateful we spent some time together. \nHeklina, I loved and adored you and my only comfort right now is in knowing that I told you that often.\u201d
— Miss Coco Peru (@Miss Coco Peru) 1680563563

Jackie Cox

Instagram

Orion Story

\u201cRIP to another Drag legend. Heklina you will be missed and cherished by so many \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\ude2d\u201d
— Orion Story (@Orion Story) 1680558962

The Boulet Brothers

\u201cIt is sad and surreal to hear about the unexpected passing of Heklina. She has always been a true & good friend to us who we will miss immensely. She was consistently humble, wise, generous, forgiving, hysterical, & filthy, and will always be an inspiration to us.\u201d
— Boulet Brothers (@Boulet Brothers) 1680566983

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

Instagram

Crystal

\u201cThis is really fucking awful! Heklina was a drag pioneer and San Francisco legend. I\u2019m very shocked by this.\u201d
— Crystal | Black Lives Matter (@Crystal | Black Lives Matter) 1680553723

Marti G. Cummings

\u201cHearing of @Heklina passing is heartbreaking. She was a true icon in every sense of the word. Fostering community, making people laugh, & creating safe spaces for us all. She welcomed me openly to San Francisco and my heart is with that SF drag community. \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Marti (@Marti) 1680560243

Detox

Instagram

Cheryl Hole

\u201cRIP to a true drag LEGEND, Heklina! \u2764\ufe0f\u201d
— Cheryl Hole (@Cheryl Hole) 1680554451

Chi Chi LaRue

None
— (@)

Nina West

Instagram

Erika Klash

\u201cThis is awful news. Rest in Peace Heklina. :/\u201d
— Erika Klash (@Erika Klash) 1680556493

Jaymes Mansfield

Instagram

Juno Birch

\u201c@PeachesChrist Oh god no \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796

Rhea Litre

\u201cTHIS IS A HUGE LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY. @heklina is an Icon who personally took time to teach me so much about drag and traveling with drag. I am heart broken and my heart goes out to @PeachesChrist who had to endure this. We love you #Heklina. \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d
— Drag\u2019s Baddest Bitch (@Drag\u2019s Baddest Bitch) 1680553723

Victoria Scone

Instagram

Maebe A Girl

\u201cJust learned the devastating news about legendary icon @Heklina\u2019s passing. RIP to a true drag legend. \ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Maebe for Congress (she/they) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Maebe for Congress (she/they) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1680573847