Stefan Grygelko, identified globally as drag icon Heklina, has died. The California-based performer was 54.
Heklina was discovered useless in London by Peaches Christ, a pal and fellow drag performer. The 2 have been in England for a run of “Mommie Queerest,” a musical parody of the 1981 Joan Crawford biopic “Mommie Dearest.” A reason for demise has not but been reported.
“I'm dwelling in a real-life nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all of the solutions simply now,” Peaches Christ, whose actual title is Joshua Grannell, wrote on Fb. “This morning, in London, England I went to gather my pricey pal Heklina, who's costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest present right here, and located her useless. I have no idea the reason for demise but.”
The assertion continued: “I do know that is surprising information and I'm past shocked, however I needed to let of us know what has occurred. Heklina is not only my finest pal, however a beloved icon of our neighborhood. I'm a large number.”
London’s SoHo Theatre, the place “Mommie Queerest” was being carried out, shared its personal assertion concerning the information on Twitter.
“Our ideas are with Peaches, Mommie Queerest firm, Heklina’s household, buddies + their wider neighborhood,” the theater’s tweet stated, noting that workers members have been “in shock and extremely saddened.”
Information of Heklina’s demise drew an outpouring of tributes from different beloved drag performers.
“I’m heartbroken. We communicated almost on a regular basis and nothing made me happier than making her cackle,” Miss Coco Peru wrote on Twitter. “We visited not too long ago and I’m so grateful we spent a while collectively. Heklina, I cherished and adored you and my solely consolation proper now's in figuring out that I advised you that usually.”
Added Girl Bunny, “Beloved SF drag legend Heklina is gone. Realizing Peaches, I assumed this was an April Idiot’s factor. I’ll miss that humorous bitch!”
By Monday night, San Francisco’s Castro Theatre honored Heklina on its marquee.
World of Marvel, the manufacturing firm that produces “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” additionally paid tribute on social media.
“We’re heartbroken over the passing of Heklina, a beloved and iconic pioneer in our neighborhood and a legend of the San Francisco drag scene,” the corporate tweeted. “Our hearts are together with her buddies, household, and everybody touched by her joyous spirit.”
A Minneapolis native, Heklina rose to prominence upon relocating to San Francisco after a stint in Iceland in 1996. The performer’s drag title was derived from Hekla, considered one of Iceland’s most lively volcanoes.
Shortly after arriving in California, Heklina started internet hosting a weekly efficiency collection often called “Mom” on the Stud, a San Francisco nightspot. The collection shortly turned one of many West Coast’s hottest drag exhibits and hosted a variety of mainstream stars, together with Charro and Girl Gaga, through the years.
“Once I moved to San Francisco, I fell in love with the punk type of a number of the drag queens,” Heklina advised the Bay Space Reporter in 2008. “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.”
A frequent performer at LGBTQ Satisfaction occasions alongside the West Coast, Heklina co-founded a second San Francisco drag venue, Oasis, in 2015. She later referred to as Oasis “the crowning jewel of my profession up to now.”
In 2019, Heklina stepped again from her possession function at Oasis to spend extra time in Palm Springs, California, however continued to carry out commonly in “Mommie Queerest” and “Golden Ladies Reside,” amongst different exhibits.
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