Who Is Cherry Valentine? Age, Biography and Wiki
Cherry Valentine, born on November 30, 1993, was a prominent British drag performer known for her vibrant personality and artistry. Cherry's career took off after appearing on the reality competition show "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" in 2020, where she showcased her exceptional talents and gained a loyal fanbase. Sadly, Cherry passed away in September 2022, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire many within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
| Occupation | Nurses |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1993 |
| Age | 28 Years |
| Birth Place | Darlington, County Durham, England |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 18 September, 2022 |
| Died Place | Hornsey, London, England |
Popularity
Cherry Valentine's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at an impressive height, Cherry Valentine’s measurements contributed to her striking stage presence. While the exact numbers might vary, she was known for her dazzling costumes and striking makeup, embodying the essence of glam and artistry that the drag community values. Her confident demeanor and distinctive style made her a standout performer.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Cherry Valentine was known to keep her personal life relatively private, particularly when it came to her romantic relationships. However, during her lifetime, she hinted at having meaningful partnerships but did not publicly reveal the identity of any boyfriend or girlfriend. It is believed that Cherry was single at the time of her passing.
Ward was raised in a strict environment in which drag was not considered normal. He came out to his parents by writing a letter before leaving home for a week, after which his parents individually took him for a drive and talked but did not discuss his sexual orientation after that incident.
He said of his early life: "Growing up [being gay] did affect me. I don't think I was completely sane at all."
Net Worth and Salary
Before her untimely departure, Cherry Valentine built a successful career in drag performance, reality television, and entertainment. Her net worth was estimated to be in the range of several hundred thousand pounds, reflecting her appearances, sponsorships, and business ventures. Although her exact earnings from performances varied, Cherry was regarded as one of the leading figures in the UK drag scene.
A series 4 episode of Drag Race UK featured an in memoriam segment following the regular credits, the Cherry's Legacy Fundraiser on GoFundMe exceeded its £10,000 goal, and the organisers of RuPaul's DragCon UK announced that a condolence book would be dedicated to Cherry Valentine.
In October 2022, Cherry Valentine's production company Throne Events announced a memorial concert to be held at Clapham Grand in London in November. Tickets to Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert were made available at no cost, with donations benefitting his legacy fund and mental health charities.
The livestreamed concert featured performances by Drag Race UK contestants Elektra Fence and Joe Black, as well as the group Traveller Pride. Attendees had the chance to pay their respects by scattering rose petals around Cherry Valentine's entrance look on the show.
In 2024, Tia Kofi paid tribute to Cherry Valentine on series 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, by wearing an outfit inspired by the latter's red promo look for Drag Race UK.
Career, Business and Investments
Cherry Valentine’s career was marked by her outstanding performances in drag shows and her participation in "RuPaul's Drag Race UK". Beyond her appearances on television, she also worked as a makeup artist and contributed to various community events aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ awareness. Cherry was not only a performer but also an advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to show support for many in the community.
In December 2020, Cherry Valentine was announced as one of twelve contestants in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. In an interview for the show, she said working as a nurse "has put me in that right position where I'm able to understand people a bit more, and if you're a drag queen, you're working with people.
By understanding people, you're going the extra mile". Cherry Valentine failed to impress judges with her performance in the second episode's Rusical. By placing in the bottom two, she had to lip-sync to "Memory" by Elaine Paige from the musical Cats (1981) against Tayce.
Cherry Valentine lost the lip-sync and was eliminated from the competition, placing twelfth.
Social Network
Cherry Valentine was active on several social media platforms, where she connected with her fans and shared snippets of her life, performances, and advocacy work. Instagram and Twitter were her primary platforms, and she used these spaces to celebrate her artistry and engage with her audience. Her online presence continues to inspire many even after her passing.
Alongside fellow eliminated contestants Joe Black and Asttina Mandella, she appeared in the fifth episode—the first to be filmed post-lockdown—"The RuRuvision Song Contest" for a chance to return to the competition and replace Veronica Green, who was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.
The remaining contestants voted for Joe Black to return. All contestants appeared in the final episode to perform to RuPaul's song "A Little Bit of Love" (1997). Cherry Valentine's last appearance on the series was in the grand finale alongside the entire cast.
Sam Damshenas of Gay Times said her run on the show was "short-lived" but "the star won the hearts of viewers with her fierce aesthetic and charismatic confessionals, as well as her inspiring journey from traveller to drag superstar".
Education
Cherry Valentine pursued a degree in psychology before fully immersing herself in the world of drag and performance. Her educational background contributed to her approach to mental health advocacy, fostering a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.
Ward was the first member of his family to attend university, studying mental health nursing at the University of Cumbria, during which time he was introduced to Manchester's drag scene.
