RuPaul and Gabe Lopez on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Credit: MTV (2)<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
Though the annual RuPaul’s Drag Race<\/a><\/em> 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<\/em> family) who died one month before Friday’s episode aired.<\/p>\n This week’s season 18 edition (which was filmed in 2025) featured the queens preparing to star in Fannie<\/em>, a Rusical spoof of the classic Annie<\/em> 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<\/a> to make music together.<\/p>\n At the end of the episode, Drag Race<\/em> honored Lopez with a title card that read, “In loving memory: Gabe Lopez. Thank you for the music.”<\/p>\n Lopez died in January 2026, with his mother, Connie Howard, announcing on social media that her son died days earlier.<\/p>\n ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ guest Gabe Lopez before his death Howard called Lopez “loving, kind, talented,” in her tribute, and added that he died following a “brief but intense battle with lymphoma.”<\/p>\n The\u00a0Mayo Clinic<\/a>\u00a0describes 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.<\/p>\n In a\u00a0statement shared to social media<\/a> at the time,\u00a0Drag Race<\/em>\u00a0production company World of Wonder honored Lopez.<\/p>\n Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our\u00a0EW Dispatch newsletter<\/a><\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n “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 \u2014 through\u00a0RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race<\/em>\u00a0& beyond \u2014 is immeasurable,” the statement read. “We mourn a great talent and a greater friend. His melodies play on in all of us.”<\/p>\n RuPaul’s Drag Race<\/em>\u00a0franchise 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\u00a0“Wigloose: The Rusical!” 2023 musical episode<\/a>\u00a0based on the Kevin Bacon movie\u00a0Footloose.<\/em><\/p>\n “Devastating to hear, sending so much love- he was a true gem,” wrote\u00a0Drag Race UK vs. the World\u00a0<\/em>season 1 winner Blu Hydrangea<\/a>, while season 2,\u00a0All Stars 1<\/em>, and\u00a0All Stars 6<\/em>\u00a0contestant\u00a0Pandora Boxx<\/a> commented with a tear-filled emoji and a heartbreak emoji under Howard’s announcement.<\/p>\n Gabe Lopez and RuPaul Oscar-nominated songwriter\u00a0Diane Warren<\/a>\u00a0also expressed sadness over Lopez’s loss, writing, “Oh no this is horrible and heartbreaking shocking news. Sending love to You.”<\/p>\n In addition to his work with Drag Race \u2014 <\/em>including the\u00a0Drag Race<\/em> spin-off competition series\u00a0Queen of the Universe<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and TV film\u00a0The Bitch Who Stole Christmas<\/a><\/em> \u2014 Lopez launched projects with pop star Belinda Carlisle, and further contributed behind-the-scenes to\u00a0Monster High: The Movie<\/em>,\u00a0The Other Two,<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Las Culturistas Culture Awards\u00a0<\/em>broadcast.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Credit: MTV<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>
Credit: Gabe Lopez\/Instagram; MTV<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n