Texas Drag queen Erica Andrews passes away

Erica Andrews, a longtime Texas resident widely regarded as one of the country’s best female illusionists, died Monday in Chicago, Il. from a lung infection. She was, according to sources, in her early ’40s.

Edward Sanchez, owner of Edward Sanchez Vanity Lounge in Houston, said Andrews “was surrounded by family and friends and wanted to keep this private, understandably.”

Andrews was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and rose to become one of the most decorated queens on the pageant circuit. Her titles included Miss Gay Texas USofA 1997, Miss Gay USofA 1999, Miss Texas Continental 2001, Miss Florida Continental 2004, Universal Show Queen 2004, Miss Continental 2004, Miss International Queen 2006 and Entertainer of the Year 2006.

Her Jessica Rabbit and Joan Crawford illusions are classics in the drag community.

More at http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2013/03/drag-icon-erica-andrews-passes-away/ .

Cross-posted Texas Group.