RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star dies aged 51 after cancer battle

by

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star Maxi Shield has died following a valiant battle with cancer.

Kristopher Elliot, known and loved as a performer, died on Saturday, February 21st, after a five-month battle with cancer treatment.

Elliot’s death was confirmed on Facebook in a statement from a close friend.

‘We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of our beloved Maxi Shield’s passing,’ they began.

I’ve lived in this community for a long time, and I can’t remember ever knowing Maxi when she wasn’t a well-known figure – though she’d definitely be annoyed if you pointed that out!

Maxi performed at queer venues all over Sydney, and gained fans worldwide, including through her appearance on the reality show Drag Race Down Under.

They finished by saying the Sydney social scene would be a lesser place without Maxi’s presence.

This Mardi Gras will have a more somber tone. Many will be celebrating while also remembering her – her smile, sense of humor, and incredible personality – and feeling her absence deeply.

Maxi was a truly vibrant and kind person. I’m devastated that his incredible energy won’t grace the stage anymore, and I’ll deeply miss our friendly chats and laughter over lunch. He was a wonderful friend.

Her kindness, funny spirit, and the mark she left on the Sydney arts community will be remembered by all those she mentored and inspired. She was a truly powerful and gifted person, and I will miss her deeply as a friend.

Maxi appeared on the first season of the popular Stan reality show in 2021, where she placed sixth.

Before that, she’d been an active part of Sydney’s lively LGBTQ+ community for years, even performing in drag on the TV show All Saints back in 2005.

She also appeared on the ABC series You Can’t Ask That and the US talk show Tongue Thai’d. 

In September, she shared a sad update on social media, letting people know her cancer was getting worse and that she had started chemotherapy.

Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Maxi.

Someone shared their sadness, saying they’d met her a few times and remembered her as a lovely, kind, and funny person. They described her death as a tragic loss for everyone who knew her.

It feels incredibly unreal – we’ve lost a truly amazing person. The Sydney LGBTQ+ community will deeply feel this loss.

Someone shared their sadness, saying she was one of the first drag performers they really connected with after seeing her perform. They described her as a wonderful person, talented performer, and incredibly generous, and expressed their shock and grief at the news of her passing. Rest in peace.

Down Under, which premiered in 2021, was the seventh installment of the show and the third hosted by RuPaul. Michelle Visage, a judge on the US version since 2011, and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson completed the judging panel.

The show follows aspiring drag queens competing for the title of Australia’s next drag superstar. Each week, they face different challenges designed to test their skills and how well they handle pressure.

Read More

2026-02-24 02:03