AUSTIN, Texas — An outpouring of love showered Austin drag queen Nadine Hughes' Facebook page Tuesday after her mother, Melody Cass, said Hughes' is in the hospital fighting for her life due to coronavirus.
Cass wrote on Facebook that Hughes is currently in the ICU on life support fighting both COVID-19 and pneumonia. She said Hughes had to be intubated to give her body "a fighting chance" and so that she could be "at complete rest."
Not long after her post, messages came rushing in support of the Austin legend and self-proclaimed "Brows of Texas."
"Please join us in sending all of the love, thoughts and prayers to our resident queen Nadine Hughes as she struggles in her recovery from COVID," wrote Austin bar Rain on 4th, where she is a show director. "She is a true Austin LEGEND, and is more than deserving of all our support."
"Stay strong Nadine Hughes, you are one of the most beloved people here in this community and we know you can get through this," said Austin's Lady Grackle. "I love you more than you can ever know."
"Prayers and blessings for Alayna Marquez and Nadine Hughes, anyone else fighting COVID or other health issues," added fellow long-time Austin performer Kelly Kline. "May The angels watch over you and protect you and your loved ones. May God grant you a speedy and full recovery to be with all of those that love you."
Austin drag artist and former "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Cynthia Lee Fontaine also said she was sending her prayers.
"This beautiful human has welcomed so many LGBTQIA+ people in Austin, made them happy, and made them a part of her family," added Nathan Michaud. "Nadine Hughes, the entire city is sending you love and strength. We love you, mother."
"Well it happened, COVID-19 finally hit too close to home. Many of you know my friend Nadine Hughes, the BROWS of Texas, and the heartbeat of the Austin Texas Drag Community," said Michael Tyler. "Words cannot express my love for you; the support you’ve given me, the laughs we shared, the tears we have cried together - all of those moments - 11 YEARS - ago and counting - would be nothing, without you. You are bigger than life, strong, and resilient. I know you will battle this fight."
As hundreds of tributes came rushing in, they did not go unnoticed by her mother.
"I am beside myself of course, as I know all of you are too," said Cass. "The outpouring of love and prayers from everyone has kept me going these last two days. [Thank you!] He said just moments before our video chat had to end 'mommy don’t give up on me!' NOT IN A MILLION YEARS! So I ask all of you to NOT GIVE UP ON HIM, pray, sing, talk, to him, whatever it takes. He will hear us, I hear you!"
According to Austin Pride, Hughes is the co-owner of the Miss Gay Texas USofA Newcomer pageant and has earned titles for herself, such as Miss Gay South Central USofA at Large, Texas USofA at Large, Miss Texas Entertainer of the Year, Miss Texas Large and Lovely, Miss Texas Continental Plus and Miss Tennessee USofA at Large. She was also crowned Miss Austin Pride in 2017.
A GoFundMe has been started to help with medical expenses for Nadine Hughes.
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