According to a statement sent by his family, American drag star Cherry Valentine died at the age of 28. Valentine was a RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestant who died on September 18, 2022, for unexplained causes. Valentine’s family, whose true name was George Ward, sent a statement to The Guardian, which read:
“It is with great regret that I notify you that our George – Cherry Valentine – has unfortunately departed away.” Most people will be taken aback, and we recognize there is no simple way to break the news.” “As his family, we are still processing his passing, and our lives will never be the same.” We recognize how much he is adored and how many people he has inspired and impacted. All we want is your patience and prayers at this difficult time. Georgie, we adore you.”
Twitter users expressed their respects to Cherry Valentine
Following the news of Cherry Valentine’s death, multiple Twitter users paid tribute to the drag performer, who came to prominence after participating in the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Valentine is remembered by many fans and drag artists as a “gentle soul” who was full of skill and lamented the loss of the entertainment business.
What sad news to hear about the passing of Cherry Valentine. A completely out of this world talent and so tragically young x pic.twitter.com/xYlNWF7W1E
— 𝑆𝐼𝐴𝑁 𝑇𝐻𝑌𝑀𝐸𝑆 🥂 (@SianThymes) September 23, 2022
An iconic drag queen Cherry Valentine, but also an iconic Romany Gypsy and mental health nurse, George Ward, who helped the NHS during the height of the pandemic. Always known as the kindest and most decent among peers. Devastating. https://t.co/Opm7kYn4jI
— Mills (@IckieBickie) September 23, 2022
All about Cherry Valentine
Valentine was born on November 30, 1993, in Darlington, County Durham, England. The late 28-year-old celebrity grew up in a traveler community. He claimed on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK that his career is not acceptable in his community and that he has kept his traveling history hidden from the LGBTQIA+ community. George Ward became a mental health nurse in 2015 and, three years later, a drag performer known as Cherry Valentine. He also worked at a Covid vaccination facility during the coronavirus outbreak. He was chosen as a participant in the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in December 2020, which launched his television career.
He described his Valentine alter-ego as “gothic” and “glamorous,” and said that working as a nurse helped him better understand people.
“As a drag queen, you have to work with people.” And I believe you go above and beyond to understand individuals.”
Valentine starred in the BBC documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, which aired in January 2022. In the video, George mentioned feeling like an outsider and only communicating with his mother after moving away at the age of 18. He also discussed how he struggled to fit in as a youngster.
“My earliest recollections are of hanging out with all the boys on one of the camps, and I felt like I should be playing with the females in the trailer with the dolls and fixing my hair, and I just never felt like I fit in properly.”
Valentine also claimed that his drag avatar was a part of him, claiming that “we’re the same person.”