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<\/p>\nMaxi Shield, a staple in Sydney’s drag scene and former RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under contestant, has died aged 51.<\/p>\n
The drag performer, born Kristopher Elliot, was diagnosed with cancer in August of last year.<\/p>\n
She had been documenting her radiation and chemotherapy treatment on social media and had returned to the stage at popular queer venue Palms on Oxford in early February.<\/p>\n
Mardi Gras chief executive Jesse Matheson said Shield’s death was devastating for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community just days out from the parade.<\/p>\n
“Maxi Shield was an incredible queen, a beautiful human being, and a true friend,” Mr Matheson told the ABC.<\/p>\n
“I know for our communities this will be a time of mourning and grief but Mardi Gras has always been an opportunity to really come together.<\/p>\n
“We’ll be working twice as hard to bring a sense of joy and love and togetherness to our community during this period.”<\/p>\n
‘Sydney is heartbroken’<\/p>\n
Shield was a veteran of the city’s drag scene and was a regular performer at venues across Oxford Street.<\/p>\n
She was thrust into the global spotlight by appearing as a contestant in season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.<\/p>\n
The licensee of music venue Universal Sydney, Dillon Shaw, said Shield’s death would cast a solemn shadow over the upcoming Mardi Gras parade.<\/p>\n
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Maxi Shield enjoyed a career spanning more than 25 years. (Supplied: Facebook. Maxi Shield)<\/p>\n
“Maxi was a big personality with a heart of gold. I’m heartbroken that the world won’t get to see this legend light up a stage again, and that I won’t get to share another giggle over lunch with my friend,” Mr Shaw said.<\/p>\n
“Her love, her humour, and her impact live on through the incredible Sydney talent she directly influenced, and through the scene she helped shape with such passion.<\/p>\n
“She was a force. She was brilliant. And I will miss my friend dearly.”<\/p>\n
Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich said Shield would be remembered for the energy, love and joy she brought to the community.<\/p>\n
“Sydney is heartbroken for her friends, family, and community, and so grateful for Maxi’s immense generosity of spirit,” he wrote on social media.<\/p>\n
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Maxi Shield was a regular at queer venues across Sydney. (Supplied: Facebook\/Maxi Shield)<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post, queer venue the Stonewall Hotel praised Shield for the shows, laughter and “the love you gave so generously to our stage and our community”.<\/p>\n
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge pays tribute<\/p>\n
Michelle Visage, a judge in the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, including the Down Under iteration, released a statement on social media saying Shield was “truly one of a kind”.<\/p>\n
“I loved this queen. A glorious human on the inside and out,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
“Your love, heart, talent and energy will be missed.”<\/p>\n
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Shield was a popular contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, with one of the judges being Michelle Visage (right). (Supplied: Instagram @michellevisage)<\/p>\n
In 2018, Shield participated in the ABC TV series You Can’t Ask That.<\/p>\n