Kevin Aviance, queer pioneer sampled by Beyoncé, ‘lucky to be alive’ after health scare
Kevin Aviance is ‘lucky to be alive’ after health scare (Getty)
Kevin Aviance is 'lucky to be alive' after health scare (Getty)
Kevin Aviance, the Black queer trailblazer known best for his work in New York City nightlife and feature on Beyoncé’s Renaissance, is ‘lucky to be alive’ after he was hospitalised.
Aviance, an iconic drag artist and nightlife and ballroom legend, was hospitalised over the weekend, his team announced via a statement posted to social media on 26 May.
The 56-year-old, whose 1996 breakout track “C*nty (The Feeling)” was sampled on Beyoncé’s Renaissance track “Pure/ Honey” in 2022, was taken to hospital after suffering septic poisoning and pneumonia.
The statement, the graphic for which reads, “Prayers for Kevin Aviance. In Recovery. Your Love and Support Means Everything,” confirmed that he was “incredibly lucky to be alive”, according to doctors.
“In the past 24 hours, our beloved Kevin had a very serious health scare. While at home, he began experiencing difficulty breathing and initially thought it was just an asthma attack. Believing it would pass, he waited… but things quickly took a turn for the worse.
“Kevin was rushed to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with septic poisoning and pneumonia. The doctors have told us that Kevin is incredibly lucky to be alive.”
“Kevin is currently on oxygen and under close medical supervision to ensure the septic infection is fully cleared from his body,” Aviance’s publicist, Len Evans, told The Advocate on Monday.
“He is still battling pneumonia and remains in stable condition while resting. We ask everyone to please keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”
Evans’ statement continued, “He stretched himself too thin working nonstop the last few weeks to release his new single. He’s spent many hours in the recording studio finishing up his album and doing back-to-back gigs—it just all caught up to him.”
The statement on Aviance’s social media concluded, “This is an emotional time for Kevin, his family, and all of us who love him. It’s a reminder that health is everything. Sometimes our bodies whisper before they scream. We have to listen and slow down.
“Please continue to keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers. Your love and energy mean the world to him.”
Queer icons and celebs from across the zeitgeist have sent love to Aviance, including All Stars 6 winner Kylie Sonique Love, Canada’s Drag Race champ Priyanka, nightlife legend Amanda Lepore and more.
Aviance, a member of the House of Aviance, one of the most prominent Houses in ballroom culture, is best known for hits “C*nty” and “Din Da Da”.
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