Maxi Shield, Drag Race Down Under Star, Dies Aged 51

The drag world is in mourning following the death of the Australian performer Maxi Shield.

Internationally, Maxi – the drag alter-ego of Kristopher Elliot – will be best known to RuPaul’s Drag Race fans for her appearance on the inaugural season of the reality show’s Down Under iteration, where she finished in sixth place.

Last year, she shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer, with her death at the age of 51 being announced on Sunday evening.

A post on the company of the Australian company Wigs By Vanity read: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our dearest sister, Maxine, has passed away.

“We are all mourning the loss of an incredible icon, friend, and our beloved sister. Thank you for the laughs, the cackles, and the magic you brought into our lives.”

Season one winner Kita Mean was among those paying tribute, remembering Maxi as “the kindest queen that has ever been” and celebrating her “love for drag”, “wicked sense of humour” and “giving spirit”.

“There will forever be a void in my heavy heart where your fabulousness hit me like a tonne of bricks,” Kita said. “Your strength over the last few months has been incomprehensible and I will go forward with such pride in my heart knowing I was friends with the best sister in the business.

“I love you so much… may your spirit rest in peace.”

Fellow competitor Anita Wigl’it also wrote: “I am very saddened to hear that our beloved Maxi Shield has passed on. You have been an absolute delight of a friend and sister.

“I’ll remember you for so many things; cackling about our friends, plotting the wonderful things that we are going to do in our careers, your support, constantly laughing, your wonderful stories, talking about men, the time you dressed as Penguin, the love you have for everyone. I love you my friend.”

Maxi was a prolific figure on the Australian drag scene, and was notably among the performers at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

She was also a regular fixture at the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations each year, and played a lead role in the 2023 comedy The Winner Takes It All.