Gabe Lopez obit

Emmy-nominated RuPaul's Drag Race crew member, songwriter Gabe Lopez dies as queens pay tribute: 'Devastating to hear'

Pandora Boxx, Blu Hydrangea, Mayan Lopez, and Diane Warren remembered the music professional online: "He was a true gem."

 

 He was not on the list.

Emmy-nominated RuPaul's Drag Race crew member and songwriter Gabe Lopez has died, the music professional's mother announced Monday. 

In a statement shared to Lopez's personal, verified Instagram account, the songwriter's mother, Connie Howard, confirmed that her son died on Sunday.

Howard called Lopez "loving, kind, talented," in her tribute, adding that he died after a "brief but intense battle with lymphoma." The Mayo Clinic describes lymphoma as a form of cancer that impacts the lymphatic system, damaging "part of the body's germ-fighting immune system."

"We the family are heartbroken to lose our deeply loved Gabe and cannot imagine life without his joy and laughter, his generous love and sincere kindness," Howard continued. "Gabe has so many wonderful people in his life. This is a deeply felt loss for all of us but Gabe would want everyone to cherish the good memories and hold him forever in our hearts."

In a statement shared to social media, Drag Race production company World of Wonder honored Lopez: "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. We mourn a great talent and a greater friend. His melodies play on in all of us."

Under Howard's post, queens from the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise paid tribute to Lopez, who received an Emmy nomination for his behind-the-scenes work mixing sound for the beloved "Wigloose: The Rusical!" 2023 musical episode based on the Kevin Bacon classic 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.

Season 2, All Stars 1, and All Stars 6 contestant Pandora Boxx also commented, sharing a crying emoji and a heartbreak emoji under the post.

Oscar nominee and fellow songwriter Diane Warren shared in the queens' sadness, expressing, "Oh no this is horrible and heartbreaking shocking news. Sending love to You."

Actress Mayan Lopez also remembered the late songwriter underneath the post.

"My heart is shattered… my fellow Lopez… we love you so much.. I’ll visit you in the music," the Lopez vs. Lopez star and Drag Race guest judge commented. "He was an incredible talent, man and friend.. I’m so glad I knew Gabe in this life… my deepest condolences and sending all my love."

In addition to his work on the Drag Race franchise, including the Drag Race-adjacent series Queen of the Universe and TV movie The Bitch Who Stole Christmas, Lopez also worked on projects with pop star Belinda Carlisle, as well as behind-the-scenes on Monster High: The Movie, The Other Two, and the Las Culturistas Culture Awards broadcast.

Prior to his death, Lopez shared a final post to Instagram on Dec. 20, writing, "Family. Friends. Love. Hope. Keep steady the light. Keep steady the way."

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for RuPaul's Drag Race for comment.