Home / Arts and Entertainment / Drag Queen Maxi Shield Dies After Cancer Battle
Drag Queen Maxi Shield Dies After Cancer Battle
23 Feb
Summary
- Drag icon Maxi Shield has passed away after a battle with throat cancer.
- She gained international fame on "Drag Race Down Under" in 2021.
- Tributes pour in from fellow queens and industry figures.
The drag community mourns the loss of Maxi Shield, who passed away following a battle with throat cancer. Maxi was a beloved figure, described as having a big personality and a heart of gold. Her presence was iconic on the Sydney nightlife scene, and she touched hearts globally through her appearance on "Drag Race Down Under" in 2021, where she finished in sixth place.
Michelle Visage, head judge of Drag Race Down Under, shared heartfelt condolences, calling Maxi a glorious human. Friends and fellow performers, including Kween Kong and Spankie Jackzon, also paid tribute. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, a fellow RuPaul's Drag Race alum and cancer survivor, remembered Maxi's unwavering support during her own health struggles.
Maxi Shield's contributions extended beyond performance, including a role in the 2023 film "The Winner Takes It All." In 2020, she and Hannah Conda aimed to set a world record for the largest Drag Queen Story Time event, striving to destigmatize drag artistry.
