Members of the West Hollywood community and the Greater Los Angeles area are mourning the loss of Lady Red Couture, a trans activists, trans drag performer and the co-hostess of the gay talk show Hey Qween. Lady Red (also known as Mother Couture) passed away this morning from complications related to cycling vomiting syndrome, a chronic health disorder that causes recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. She was widely known for her singing and performances at clubs throughout West Hollywood such as Micky’s WeHo and Rage nightclub. She was also a hostess at the recently closed Gym Bar during past showings of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“I can’t believe I am writing this message but the unthinkable has happened., Johnny McGovern, close friend and host of Hey Qween, posted on his Instagram account today confirming her death. “This morning at 5am, I received a call from the hospital letting me know that Lady Red had just passed away. I was told she was improving yesterday and ready to move out of intensive care. But very early this morning she had an episode and coded and she was gone.”
Read the full Instagram message below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDE_6y6gyhc/
In earlier Instagram posts, McGovern stated that Miss Lady Red had been in intensive care due to complications related to cycling vomiting syndrome on Sunday, July 19. This condition is diagnosed most often in young children, but it can affect people of any age. The episodes of nausea, vomiting, and lethargy last anywhere from an hour to 10 days. According to McGovern, her death was not related to COVID-19.
“Last night I had to rush our beautiful Lady Red to the hospital due to complications with her chronic condition -cyclic vomiting syndrome,” He stated. “She’s currently in the icu and they are trying to get her stabilized. She is Covid negative thank god but she’s in bad shape nonetheless. Please send her all the love and prayers you can. This is going to a long recovery for her and she’s gonna need all the help she can get. We will keep everyone updated on her recovery. You can donate to help her at Venmo: LadyRedCouture”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC4E-1uAGtb/
Lady Red Couture was widely known as the co-host and of Hey Qween, but she was also famous in the Los Angeles’ trans and drag circuit, hosting and producing shows like last year’s “Black Girl Magic.” She also hosted her own podcast So Real with Lady Red Couture on Patrion. In her bio, she describes herself and as “a trans woman that lives as the largest drag queen in captivity.”
“I loved her so much,” drag performer Coco Peru posted on her Facebook page. “She was my traveling buddy on tour. She laughed and cried with me. Mostly laughed. Such a sweet person with a big laugh, kind heart, and who sang to the heavens. Rest well, my sweet friend.”
Lady Red Couture and Coco Peru“Some people have personalities too big for this world, so they’re called on to greatness,” tweeted Emmy Award winning actress Jackée Harry. “Lady Red @Mothercouture was one of them. Rest in power, Queen.”
Some people have personalities too big for this world, so they’re called on to greatness. Lady Red @Mothercouture was one of them.
Rest in power, Queen. 👑 pic.twitter.com/pHEXhtvbVT
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) July 25, 2020
“RIP Lady Red Couture,” West Hollywood Poet Laureate, Steven Reigns posted on his social media. “This morning we lost a light and it’s sad to think how much more she could have accomplished. She had a great voice, quick wit, and big heart. We met 9 years ago shooting Jonny McGovern’s music video and she’s been around since. At her fried chicken birthday party I made nuggets and spelled out her name. During COVID, she became my test kitchen as I’d give her the biscuits I obsessively baked, and she’d helpfully critique them. I even joined Instagram at her urging. Your laughter, love, and long eyelashes will be missed.”
“Our hearts are with the loved ones of Lady Red Couture, who has sadly died,” tweeted GLADD. “Sending all of our love tonight. Read more about Lady Red’s legacy.”
Our hearts are with the loved ones of Lady Red Couture, who has sadly died. Sending all of our love tonight. Read more about Lady Red's legacy. ❤️https://t.co/VQ72TZe66E
— GLAAD (@glaad) July 26, 2020
