Famend drag performer Heklina has handed away. She was 54. The San Francisco native, whose actual title was Stefan Grygelko, was discovered lifeless in London on Monday, April 3. The drag icon was within the metropolis for the stage manufacturing Mommie Queerest.
The official reason for demise has not been revealed but. Heklina rose to prominence in 1996 when she began internet hosting Mom, a weekly sequence on the Stud. Through the years, she grew to become some of the well-known faces within the drag scene within the nation.
Drag Icon Heklina Dies at 54
Heklina was discovered lifeless by follow-performer Peaches Christ on Monday. The 2 had been within the metropolis for a run of Mommie Queerest, a parody of the 1981 movie Mommie Dearest, on the Soho Theatre. Peaches introduced the stunning information on social media.
“I’m shocked and horrified to deliver this information to you. I’m residing in a real-life nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all of the solutions simply now. This morning, in London, England I went to gather my expensive good friend Heklina, who’s costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest present right here, and located her lifeless,” Peaches wrote on Fb.
“I have no idea the reason for demise but. I do know that is stunning information and I’m past surprised, however I wished to let people know what has occurred. Heklina isn’t just my finest good friend, however a beloved icon of our group. I’m a large number,” the performer added.
Soho Theatre additionally launched a press release following the tragic occasion: “Soho Theatre, @HOME_mcr and Tim Whitehead are in shock and extremely saddened with information of Heklina’s passing. Our ideas are with Peaches, Mommie Queerest firm, Heklina’s household, associates + their wider group.”
Heklina’s Establishment Launched A number of Drag Careers
Heklina was born in Minneapolis and spent a number of years of her life along with her mom in Iceland. She obtained her drag title from Hekla, an lively volcano within the nation. After shifting to San Francisco, she based the drag membership Mom in 1996, which gave a platform to many drag artists and hosted celebs, together with Woman Gaga and Charro.
“After I moved to San Francisco, I fell in love with the punk model of among the drag queens.I by no means sat down and stated, ‘I need to be a drag queen and run a nightclub.’ When it occurred and took off, it was sort of like I used to be meant to do that,” Heklina revealed in an interview in 2008.
In 2014, she re-opened the drag venue Oasis in San Francisco. She additionally starred within the productions Child Jane? and Golden Ladies Dwell and appeared within the tv reveals Trauma, The Cho Present, The Ricki Lake Present, and Enjoying It Straight.
Pals Mourn Heklina’s Dying
The drag queen’s demise is being mourned by a number of celebrities and followers. RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shea Couleé tweeted, “Heklina was so extremely type and heat. Such an unbelievable supporter of fellow queens, and he or she made me really feel like household anytime I got here to Oasis. My deepest condolences.”
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney wrote, “So stunning and unhappy to listen to in regards to the lack of Heklinka, a drag legend, sensible performer and trailblazing group icon. My condolences and love goes out to all of Heklinka’s associates, household, and family members, and the complete LGBTQ and drag communities.”
Could Heklina’s soul relaxation in peace! Keep tuned for extra information and updates.
