Kennedy Davenport
{{Short description|American drag queen (born 1980)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kennedy Davenport
| image = File:Kennedy Davenport at LA Drag Con 2022 by dvsross (cropped).jpg
| caption = Davenport at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2022
| birth_name = Reuben Asberry Jr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|09|09}}
| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| known_for = {{hlist|RuPaul's Drag Race|RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars|Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World}}
| education = University of North Carolina School of the Arts
| occupation = Drag queen, television personality, dancer
| website =
}}
Reuben Asberry Jr.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/shangela-latrice-royale-kasha-davis-raise-the-roof-to-save-kennedy-davenports-home/12/2015/|title=Shangela, Latrice Royale, Kasha Davis Raise The Roof To Save Kennedy Davenport's Home|work=LOGO News|access-date=February 18, 2018}} (born September 9, 1980), known professionally as Kennedy Davenport, is a drag queen, television personality, and dancer from Dallas, Texas, who came to international attention on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, placing fourth overall, the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she was the runner-up,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8248818/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-runner-up-kennedy-davenport-interview|title='Drag Race All Stars 3' Runner-Up Kennedy Davenport on Racism From Fans: 'Drag Has No Color'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 18, 2018}} and the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World.{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/canadas-drag-race-vs-the-world-season-2-cast-queens-revealed-8669383 |title=Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2 cast of queens revealed: Bam! Alexis Mateo is back, baby |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |website=ew.com |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 26, 2024}}
Career
Davenport first appeared on television in the eighth season of America's Got Talent in 2013. She was eliminated in the Vegas round.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qweerist.com/drag-race/five-facts-kennedy-davenport/|title=Five Facts About Kennedy Davenport|date=January 12, 2018|website=QWEERIST|language=en-GB|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508154838/https://www.qweerist.com/drag-race/five-facts-kennedy-davenport/|url-status=dead}}{{Citation|last=America's Got Talent|title=Kennedy Davenport - Drag Queen Gets Down to Donna Summer's "Last Dance"- America's Got Talent 2013|date=July 17, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG235Rn41-Y|access-date=February 18, 2018}}
She was announced as one of the fourteen contestants in season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race on March 2, 2015,{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/drag-race-season-seven-premiere_n_6555636.html|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Adds New Judges, Will Premiere March 2|last=Nichols|first=JamesMichael|date=January 28, 2015|work=Huffington Post|access-date=February 18, 2018|language=en-US}} where she placed fourth overall. After this, she made a one-episode appearance on Skin Wars with fellow Drag Race contestants.{{Cite news|url=https://www.out.com/television/2016/5/12/drag-queens-stomp-runway-skin-wars|title=Drag Queens Stomp the Runway at 'Skin Wars'|date=May 12, 2016|access-date=February 18, 2018|language=en}} On October 20, 2017, Davenport was announced as one of the returning queens for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7998519/rupaul-drag-race-all-stars-season-3-cast-vh1-special|title=RuPaul To Reveal 'All Stars' Season 3 Cast On Upcoming VH1 Special: 'Prepare To Be Gagged'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 18, 2018}} Davenport ultimately was the runner-up overall, losing to Trixie Mattel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-kennedy-davenport-interview.html|title=RuPaul's Drag Race's Kennedy Davenport on the All Stars 3 Finale|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Molly|website=www.vulture.com|date=March 16, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
Outside of Drag Race, Asberry has won numerous titles in drag pageants,{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-queens-see-racism-in-show-treatment-and-fan-love.html|title=Does RuPaul's Drag Race Have a Race Problem?|last1=Schlichte|first1=Garrett|date=February 15, 2018|website=Slate Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220054707/https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-queens-see-racism-in-show-treatment-and-fan-love.html|archive-date=February 20, 2018|url-status=live}} including Miss Gay USofA 2019, Miss Gay Orlando 2016, Miss D’Elegance International 2013, and Miss Gay Black USofA 2009.{{cite news|url=http://southfloridagaynews.com/Nightlife/miss-black-gay-us-of-a-2010.html|title=New Miss Black Gay US of A Crowned|last1=Fortino|first1=A. Sebastian|date=February 25, 2010|work=South Florida Gay News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221111034/http://southfloridagaynews.com/Nightlife/miss-black-gay-us-of-a-2010.html|archive-date=February 21, 2018|url-status=live|quote=Former Miss Black Gay US of A Kennedy Davenport was proud to hand over her crown to Miss Bordeaux.}} Her dance performances are her signature component.
Davenport also works as a musician; she released her first single, "Moving Up", featuring rapper Dresia Dee on March 16, 2018.{{Citation|last=gardTV|title=Kennedy Davenport :: Moving Up feat. Dresia Dee (VIDEO)|date=March 16, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvFlMGW_LnE|access-date=March 17, 2018}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8254029/kennedy-davenport-song-moving-up|title='Drag Race' Runner Up Kennedy Davenport Releases Disco-Flavored 'Moving Up'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
In July 2020, she returned to the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars as a Lip-Sync Assassin. She lip-synced against Miz Cracker to Fancy by Reba McEntire but lost.
In April 2023, Davenport and her Drag Race alumni Jan Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux performed alongside Kelsea Ballerini at the CMT Music Awards, held in Austin, Texas. The performance was seen as Ballerini's support to drag performers following the passing of the Tennessee drag ban{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/kelsea-ballerini-cmt-awards-rupauls-drag-race-queens-performance-1235571577/ |title=Kelsea Ballerini's Performance With 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens at CMT Awards Playfully Flouts Wave of Anti-Drag Laws |publisher=Variety |author=Chris Willman |date=April 3, 2023 |access-date=April 22, 2023}}
Personal life
Asberry was born to Checkery Marie Thacker.{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/13131989:8781 |title=Reuben Asberry |website=Ancestry Institute |publisher=Ancestry |access-date=November 12, 2022}} His father, Reuben Asberry Sr., died on October 25, 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=reuben-asberry&pid=167769558&fhid=2689|title=Reuben Asberry Sr.'s Obituary on Dallas Morning News|website=Dallas Morning News|access-date=February 18, 2018}} Prior to pursuing drag, he spent some time in the United States Navy.{{cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/BWW-Review-Kennedy-Davenport-Puts-Emotion-on-Display-in-Cathartic-THE-GOSPEL-ACCORDING-TO-KENNEDY-DAVENPORT-20180906|title=BWW Review: Kennedy Davenport Puts Emotion on Display in Cathartic THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO KENNEDY DAVENPORT|date=September 6, 2018|first=Troy|last=Frisby|website=Broadway World|access-date=January 22, 2022}}
A $33,000 bank payment was needed to prevent his house from being foreclosed upon. A GoFundMe page was created to help pay off the house note,{{Cite news|url=http://cw33.com/2015/11/11/dancing-diva-of-dallas-raising-money-to-save-family-home/|title='Dancing Diva of Dallas' Raising Money to Save Family Home|date=November 12, 2015|work=CW33 NewsFix|access-date=February 18, 2018|language=en-US}} and a drag event was held to support him, featuring fellow Drag Race alumni.
His drag mother is Kelexis Davenport,{{Cite web|url=http://www.edgemedianetwork.com/entertainment///178045|title='RuPaul's Drag Race,' Season 7 :: The Kennedy Davenport Interview|website=EDGE Media Network|language=en-us|access-date=February 18, 2018}} who is also drag mother to the late season 2 Drag Race contestant Sahara Davenport.{{Citation|last=Richard Curtin|title=Kelexis Davenport on the death of drag daughter Sahara Davenport|date=October 9, 2012|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk4P70i44rE|access-date=February 18, 2018}} Another one of Kennedy's drag sisters, Bianca Gisele Davenport Starr, was murdered on December 8, 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://hornetapp.com/stories/jason-bradley-murder/|title=Texas Police Arrested a Man for the Murder of Kennedy Davenport's Drag Sister|date=December 14, 2017|work=Hornet Stories|access-date=February 18, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210214/https://hornetapp.com/stories/jason-bradley-murder/|url-status=dead}} Drag Race season 11 contestant A'keria C. Davenport, and other Drag Race
Contestants throughout the years (Honey Davenport, Monét X Change and Ra'Jah O'Hara) are among members of the Davenport drag family.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-house-of-davenport-has-turned-rupauls-drag-race-season-11-into-a-family-reunion-16813444|title=The House Of Davenport Has Turned 'Rupaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Into A Family Reunion|last=Voorhis|first=Genevieve Van|website=Bustle|date=March 7, 2019 |language=en|access-date=May 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-11-cast-photos/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' season 11 queens stun in EW's exclusive portraits|website=EW.com|language=en|access-date=May 8, 2019}}
Asberry is currently dating Messia Adonís, a trans man. In the premiere episode of the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World, he revealed that he and his partner were expecting their first child together. However, after the episode aired, Asberry announced on social media that the two had a miscarriage. On a social media post, Asberry wrote: "We both understand that God makes no mistakes and we understand what he has for us, will be for us. We both live our lives to be a testament for others to help, elevate, motivate, and encourage. I want to thank you all for the love and support that you have shown thus far. Continue to put God first and have an awesome day. We are good."{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/drag-race-kennedy-davenport-partner-miscarriage-8681142|title=Drag Race star Kennedy Davenport reveals partner had miscarriage: 'Thank you all for the love'|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 20, 2024 |language=en|access-date=September 8, 2024}}
Pageant history
- Miss Gay Black USofA 2009{{cite web|url=http://ourcommunityroots.com/?p=3063 |title=Kennedy Davenport |date=May 28, 2018 |website=Our Community Roots}}
- Miss Tampa Bay International 2009
- Miss Glamorous 2010
- North Carolina All American Goddess 2010
- Miss Parliament House 2010
- Miss Revolution 2010
- Miss Treasure Coast 2010
- Miss Gay South Central States USofA 2011
- Miss Parliament House 2011
- Miss Gay Georgia USofA 2012
- Miss Texas FFI 2012
- Mid America All American Goddess 2013
- All American Goddess (3rd Alternate)
- Miss D’Elegance International 2013
- Miss Gay Orlando 2016
- Miss West Palm Beach International 2016
- Miss Gay Texas USofA 2017 (1st Alternate)
- Miss Gay USofA 2017 (1st Alternate)
- Miss Gay USofA 2019{{Citation|title=USofA Pageants - Miss Gay USofA 2019!!! Kennedy Davenport|url=https://www.facebook.com/USofAPageants/videos/378726662738199/|language=en|access-date=May 26, 2019}}
- Miss Pride South Florida 2019
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! {{Abbreviation|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| 2019
|Himself |
| 2025
| Queen Kennedy | |
=Television=
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Artist |
| 2015 |
=Web series=
Theatre
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Production ! Role ! Venue ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| 2019
|The Gospel According to Kennedy Davenport | Herself |
Discography
=Singles=
| class="wikitable"
!Title !Year !Album |
| "Moving Up"
|2018 |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:25em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Dance {{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-electronic-songs/2018-03-31|title=Dance/Electronic Songs - March 31, 2018|publisher=Billboard|access-date=October 17, 2019}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Drag Up Your Life" (RuPaul featuring the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 3) | rowspan="2"|2018 | — |rowspan="3" {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Kitty Girl" (RuPaul featuring the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 3) | 18 |
| scope="row" | "Tongue Pop"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/tongue-pop/1758199841?i=1758200182|title=Tongue Pop - Single|work=iTunes|access-date=September 4, 2024|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904041946/https://music.apple.com/us/album/tongue-pop/1758199841?i=1758200182|url-status=live}} (The Cast of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs The World) | rowspan="2"|2024 | — |
= Other appearances =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:20em;" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:15em;" | Other artist(s) ! scope="col" style="width:20em;" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Throw Ya Hands Up"{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2015 |title=RuPaul Teases "Covergurlz 2", New Album With Season 7 Queens, On Instagram |url=https://www.logotv.com/news/nq5ew5/rupaul-teases-covergurlz-2-new-album-with-season-7-queens-on-instagram |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=www.logotv.com |language=en-us}}
| 2015 | RuPaul | RuPaul Presents CoverGurlz 2 |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Cha Cha Heels"
| 2016 | Lucian Piane, Katya Zamolodchikova | RuPaul's Drag Race: The Rusical |
| scope="row"| "One Last Christmas Card"
| 2017 |Adam Barta featuring Mrs. Kasha Davis, Eureka O'Hara, and Kennedy Davenport |{{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Kennedy Davenport}}
- {{IMDb name|nm7088528}}
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davenport, Kennedy}}
Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American dancers
Category:African-American drag queens
Category:American LGBTQ dancers
Category:American gay entertainers
Category:African-American LGBTQ people
Category:LGBTQ people from Texas
Category:Miss GayUSofA winners