Kennedy Davenport Explained

Kennedy Davenport
Birth Name:Reuben Asberry Jr.
Birth Date:9 September 1980
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Education:University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Occupation:Drag queen, television personality, dancer

Reuben Asberry Jr.[1] (born September 9, 1980), better known by the stage name 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,[2] and the second season of .[3]

Career

Davenport first appeared on television in the eighth season of America's Got Talent in 2013. She was eliminated in the Vegas round.[4]

She was announced as one of the fourteen contestants in season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race on March 2, 2015,[5] where she placed fourth overall. After this, she made a one-episode appearance on Skin Wars with fellow Drag Race contestants.[6] On October 20, 2017, Davenport was announced as one of the returning queens for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3.[7] Davenport ultimately was the runner-up overall, losing to Trixie Mattel.[8]

Outside of Drag Race, Asberry has won numerous titles in drag pageants,[9] including Miss Gay USofA 2019, Miss Gay Orlando 2016, Miss D’Elegance International 2013, and Miss Gay Black USofA 2009.[10] 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.[11]

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[12]

Personal life

Asberry was born to Checkery Marie Thacker.[13] His father, Reuben Asberry Sr., died on October 25, 2013.[14] Prior to pursuing drag, he spent some time in the United States Navy.[15]

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,[16] and a drag event was held to support him, featuring fellow Drag Race alumni.[1]

His drag mother is Kelexis Davenport,[17] who is also drag mother to the late season 2 Drag Race contestant Sahara Davenport. Another one of Kennedy's drag sisters, Bianca Gisele Davenport Starr, was murdered on December 8, 2017.[18] 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.[19] [20]

Pageant history

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013America's Got TalentHimself (contestant)Season 8
2015RuPaul's Drag RaceHerself (contestant)Season 7 (4th place)
2016Skin WarsHerselfEpisode: "Miss Skin Wars"[23]
2018RuPaul's Drag Race: All StarsHerself (contestant)Season 3 (Runner-Up)
2020AJ and the QueenDrag queenGuest appearance[24]
2020RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 5)HerselfGuest (“Lipsync Assassin”)
Episode: "Stand-Up Smackdown"
[25]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked (season 2)
202357th Annual CMT Music AwardsHerselfPerformer with Kelsea Ballerini, Jan Sport, Manila Luzon & Olivia Lux[26]
2024HerselfContestant (Season 2)

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015RuPaul's Drag Race: UntuckedHerselfCompanion show to RuPaul's Drag Race[28]
2015TransformationsGuest[29]
2016Hey Qween!2 episodes, Guest
2016How To MakeupWorld of Wonder series
2016Fashion Photo RuViewGuest, alongside Raven and Raja
2018Before She Walks InGuest
2018Whatcha Packin'Guest
2018Cosmo QueensSeason Three, Episode Ten
2019DetailzGuest[30]
2019Werq The WorldSeason 1[31]
2019Follow MeEpisode: "Mayhem Miller"[32]
2021Pageant PodPodcast by Moguls of Media[33]
2021BingePodcast by Entertainment Weekly[34]
2021The Pit StopHerself1 episode, companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 6
2024RuPaul's Drag Race Live UntuckedWOWPresents Plus original[35]

Discography

Singles

As featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Dance

[36]
"Drag Up Your Life"
(RuPaul featuring the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 3)
2018rowspan="2"
"Kitty Girl"
(RuPaul featuring the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 3)
18

Other appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Throw Ya Hands Up"[37] 2015RuPaulRuPaul Presents CoverGurlz 2
"Cha Cha Heels"2016Lucian Piane, Katya ZamolodchikovaRuPaul's Drag Race: The Rusical
"One Last Christmas Card"2017Adam Barta featuring Mrs. Kasha Davis, Eureka O'Hara, and Kennedy Davenport

Notes and References

  1. News: Shangela, Latrice Royale, Kasha Davis Raise The Roof To Save Kennedy Davenport's Home. LOGO News. February 18, 2018.
  2. 'Drag Race All Stars 3' Runner-Up Kennedy Davenport on Racism From Fans: 'Drag Has No Color'. Billboard. March 18, 2018.
  3. Web site: Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2 cast of queens revealed: Bam! Alexis Mateo is back, baby . Nolfi . Joey . ew.com . . June 26, 2024.
  4. Web site: Five Facts About Kennedy Davenport. January 12, 2018. QWEERIST. en-GB. May 8, 2019. May 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508154838/https://www.qweerist.com/drag-race/five-facts-kennedy-davenport/. dead.
  5. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Adds New Judges, Will Premiere March 2. Nichols. JamesMichael. January 28, 2015. Huffington Post. February 18, 2018. en-US.
  6. News: Drag Queens Stomp the Runway at 'Skin Wars'. May 12, 2016. February 18, 2018. en.
  7. RuPaul To Reveal 'All Stars' Season 3 Cast On Upcoming VH1 Special: 'Prepare To Be Gagged'. Billboard. February 18, 2018.
  8. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race's Kennedy Davenport on the All Stars 3 Finale. Fitzpatrick. Molly. www.vulture.com. March 16, 2018. May 8, 2019.
  9. Web site: Does RuPaul's Drag Race Have a Race Problem?. Schlichte. Garrett. February 15, 2018. Slate Magazine. 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. February 20, 2018. live.
  10. News: New Miss Black Gay US of A Crowned. Fortino. A. Sebastian. February 25, 2010. South Florida Gay News. https://web.archive.org/web/20180221111034/http://southfloridagaynews.com/Nightlife/miss-black-gay-us-of-a-2010.html. February 21, 2018. live. Former Miss Black Gay US of A Kennedy Davenport was proud to hand over her crown to Miss Bordeaux..
  11. 'Drag Race' Runner Up Kennedy Davenport Releases Disco-Flavored 'Moving Up'. Billboard. May 8, 2019.
  12. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini's Performance With 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens at CMT Awards Playfully Flouts Wave of Anti-Drag Laws . . Chris Willman . April 3, 2023 . April 22, 2023.
  13. Web site: Reuben Asberry . Ancestry Institute . Ancestry . November 12, 2022.
  14. Web site: Reuben Asberry Sr.'s Obituary on Dallas Morning News. Dallas Morning News. February 18, 2018.
  15. News: BWW Review: Kennedy Davenport Puts Emotion on Display in Cathartic THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO KENNEDY DAVENPORT. September 6, 2018. Troy. Frisby. Broadway World. January 22, 2022.
  16. News: 'Dancing Diva of Dallas' Raising Money to Save Family Home. November 12, 2015. CW33 NewsFix. February 18, 2018. en-US.
  17. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Season 7 :: The Kennedy Davenport Interview. EDGE Media Network. en-us. February 18, 2018.
  18. News: Texas Police Arrested a Man for the Murder of Kennedy Davenport's Drag Sister. December 14, 2017. Hornet Stories. February 18, 2018. en-US.
  19. Web site: The House Of Davenport Has Turned 'Rupaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Into A Family Reunion. Voorhis. Genevieve Van. Bustle. March 7, 2019 . en. May 8, 2019.
  20. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 11 queens stun in EW's exclusive portraits. EW.com. en. May 8, 2019.
  21. Web site: Kennedy Davenport . May 28, 2018 . Our Community Roots.
  22. Web site: Trixie Mattel's 'Moving Parts' Documentary Proves She's Not Just A Skinny Legend. Garage. Evan Ross Katz. May 1, 2019. May 28, 2021.
  23. News: Skin Wars meets RuPaul's Drag Race: a Season 3 episode 4 preview. Boulet. Ruth. May 11, 2016. Channel Guide Magazine. April 10, 2020.
  24. News: RuPaul brings 22 Drag Race queens to costar on AJ and the Queen. Nolfi. Joey. December 3, 2019. EW.com. December 3, 2019.
  25. News: RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Recap: Roast Battle. July 17, 2020. Paul. McCallian. Vulture. July 18, 2020.
  26. News: Kelsea Ballerini's Performance With 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens at CMT Awards Playfully Flouts Wave of Anti-Drag Laws. April 3, 2023. Chris. Willman. Variety.com. April 4, 2023.
  27. Web site: WATCH: Shangela's Bringing You 'Uptown Fish'. Hinzmann. Dennis. April 8, 2015. Mic.com. April 11, 2020.
  28. Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 1 Born Naked. YouTube. March 23, 2015. August 28, 2019.
  29. James St. James and Kennedy Davenport: Transformations. YouTube. July 15, 2015. August 20, 2019.
  30. Detailz w/ Dida Ritz: IMHO at DragCon NYC 2019. YouTube. September 13, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  31. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Kennedy Davenport's Biggest Accomplishment Lies Outside the Show. Barbour. Shannon. Cosmopolitan. July 25, 2019. December 12, 2019.
  32. FOLLOW ME: Mayhem Miller. YouTube. June 10, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  33. Web site: Seven drag artist podcasts you need to check out . Evan. Hecht. DBK News. October 28, 2021 . January 12, 2022 . November 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102220104/https://dbknews.com/2021/10/28/drag-artist-podcasts-trixie-mattel-katya/ . live .
  34. Web site: BenDeLaCreme and Kennedy Davenport recall chaos after RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3 self-elimination. Nolfi. Joey. Entertainment Weekly. July 14, 2021. July 31, 2021.
  35. Web site: Drag Race queens unite for new RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked TV series. Nolfi. Joey. Entertainment Weekly. October 5, 2023. January 31, 2024.
  36. Web site: Dance/Electronic Songs - March 31, 2018. Billboard. October 17, 2019.
  37. Web site: January 30, 2015 . RuPaul Teases "Covergurlz 2", New Album With Season 7 Queens, On Instagram . March 1, 2024 . www.logotv.com . en-us.