RuPaul and Gabe Lopez on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Credit: MTV (2)
Though the annual RuPaul’s Drag Race Rusical challenge typically leads to gleeful fans each season, this year’s installment was tinged with sadness, as it featured a special guest (and Emmy-nominated member of the Drag Race family) who died one month before Friday’s episode aired.
This week’s season 18 edition (which was filmed in 2025) featured the queens preparing to star in Fannie, a Rusical spoof of the classic Annie stage production. Mid-way through the episode, the queens took to the Main Stage to record vocals for the project, where they joined songwriter Leland and late producer Gabe Lopez to make music together.
At the end of the episode, Drag Race honored Lopez with a title card that read, “In loving memory: Gabe Lopez. Thank you for the music.”
Lopez died in January 2026, with his mother, Connie Howard, announcing on social media that her son died days earlier.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ guest Gabe Lopez before his death
Credit: MTV
Howard called Lopez “loving, kind, talented,” in her tribute, and added that he died following a “brief but intense battle with lymphoma.”
The Mayo Clinic describes lymphoma as a form of cancer that primarily impacts the lymphatic system, and can damage “part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system” in the process.
In a statement shared to social media at the time, Drag Race production company World of Wonder honored Lopez.
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“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Gabe Lopez. Gabe was a unique combination of musical brilliance, kindness and sharp wit. His impact — through RuPaul’s Drag Race & beyond — is immeasurable,” the statement read. “We mourn a great talent and a greater friend. His melodies play on in all of us.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise stars also paid tribute to Lopez earlier this year, after the artist received an Emmy nod for his behind-the-scenes work mixing sound for the show’s “Wigloose: The Rusical!” 2023 musical episode based on the Kevin Bacon movie Footloose.
“Devastating to hear, sending so much love- he was a true gem,” wrote Drag Race UK vs. the World season 1 winner Blu Hydrangea, while season 2, All Stars 1, and All Stars 6 contestant Pandora Boxx commented with a tear-filled emoji and a heartbreak emoji under Howard’s announcement.
Gabe Lopez and RuPaul
Credit: Gabe Lopez/Instagram; MTV
Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren also expressed sadness over Lopez’s loss, writing, “Oh no this is horrible and heartbreaking shocking news. Sending love to You.”
In addition to his work with Drag Race — including the Drag Race spin-off competition series Queen of the Universe and TV film The Bitch Who Stole Christmas — Lopez launched projects with pop star Belinda Carlisle, and further contributed behind-the-scenes to Monster High: The Movie, The Other Two, and the Las Culturistas Culture Awards broadcast.
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