Culture

Drag Race season 12 queen Jan pays heartfelt tribute to grandfather who died from coronavirus

Apr 20 2020
Written by Reiss Smith

Drag Race season 12 queen Jan revealed that her grandfather passed away from coronavirus. (WOW)

Drag Race star Jan paid an emotional tribute to the grandfather she lost to coronavirus just hours after her elimination aired.

Jan announced that her grandfather Charles A. Mantione, known to her and her family as Grandpa Charlie, passed away on Sunday morning (April 19) due to COVID-19 complications.

“Growing up, my grandpa was the life of the party,” the Drag Race season 12 star wrote.

“Always singing and dancing, and encouraging everyone around him to live life to the fullest!”

Jan said that her grandpa was the one who encouraged her to sing as a child, and would accompany her to every performance.

“Often [he] would escort me there in a limo, to stunt on everyone, because he truly was that iconic and fabulous.”

View this post on Instagram

Hi everyone. It comes with great sadness that I announce the passing of my grandfather, Charles A. Mantione, aka Grandpa Charlie, who passed away due to COVID-19 complications this morning. Growing up, my grandpa was the life of the party. Always singing and dancing, and encouraging everyone around him to live life to the fullest! My grandpa always encouraged me to sing and always said I had the most beautiful voice. He came to every single performance of mine that he could when I was younger, and often would escort me there in a limo, to stunt on everyone, because he truly was that iconic and fabulous. Over the past few years, my grandpa’s health declined due to complications with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. And even though he would not remember a lot of things, he’d always greet me with a smile and a hug and tell me a fun story of his past working with producers and directors. He would always tell me that he would help make connections for me to achieve my dreams, because he wanted the world to see the joy that I brought him. He did not get to know Jan as much as I would have liked him to, but one thing is certain: I know he is proud of me. All he ever wanted for me was to be happy and pursue my dreams, and look grandpa, I’m doing it ?. When it rains, it pours, and this certainly has not been my week, but I know my grandpa would want me to keep going and keep entertaining you all, because that is what he loved to see me do more than anything. This video today, is dedicated to my Grandpa Charlie, my Grandma Barbara, My Aunt, Mimi, my dad, Chuck, and the rest of my family. Thank you for all of your love and support on Jan’s Jukebox. We’re just getting started. Videography: @austinunes Vocal Production: @andrewbarretcox Gown: @costumes_by_palu Hair: @doubledwigs Purple Body Double: @ejdohring Credit Song: … you’ll find out soon.

A post shared by Jan Sport (@janjanjan) on Apr 19, 2020 at 4:17pm PDT

Drag Race‘s Jan lost grandfather after long Alzheimer’s battle.

The Drag Race star said that his health had declined in recent years due to “complications with Alzheimer’s and dementia”.

“And even though he would not remember a lot of things, he’d always greet me with a smile and a hug and tell me a fun story of his past working with producers and directors,” she continued.

Jan lamented that her grandfather passed away as she stands on the precipice of stardom.

“He would always tell me that he would help make connections for me to achieve my dreams, because he wanted the world to see the joy that I brought him.