Kenosha drag performer dead at 30 remembered for connecting people on and off the stage
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A popular drag performer, perhaps best known as former Miss Kenosha Pride 2023, has died at age 30, according to those closest to the performer.
Kyle Hayes, known by many as Carmel Bliss, a well-known drag queen in the Wisconsin LGBTQ+ community, died after going into cardiac arrest.
Tyler Hall, known in drag as Kaye Bye, said Hayes died after attending a Beyonce concert for his birthday.
“They rushed him to the hospital where unfortunately he went into cardiac arrest. As of right now, that’s all we know," Hall said.
Hall said Hayes was planning to be his best man in his wedding. They were drag sisters and were often seen in the community together. Hall says Hayes was an incredible performer and made history as being one of the first bearded drag performers to compete at the state level.
Ginger Van Allen, Kyle Hayes (Carmel Bliss)
Kyle Hayes (Carmel Bliss), Ginger Van Allen
“They always could feel the room with joy and smiles and laughter, even of the show didn’t go well, they always had the biggest outcome," Hall said.
Phillip Salerno, known in drag as Ginger Van Allen, said Carmel Bliss was her drag daughter.
“There was an ability that Carmel had to be able to connect not just on the stage, but off the stage," Salerno said. “Whether it was a costume, hair, just somebody to talk to, she knew that she had that friend in me. And vice versa. I knew I had that friend in her.”
To help support Haye's family you can donate to the fundraiser here.