Tributes are pouring in for pioneering San Francisco drag act Heklina after her shocking death
Tributes pour in for groundbreaking San Francisco drag act Heklina after her shocking death while on tour in London at age 54
- Stefan Grygelka was found dead in London on Monday by Peaches Christ
- The pair toured with their stage production Mommie Queerest
Tributes have poured in for pioneering San Francisco drag act Heklina, who has died aged 54 while on tour in Britain.
Heklina, whose real name was Stefan Grygelko, was found dead by her friend and tour partner Peaches Christ in London on Monday.
“I am shocked and shocked to bring you this news. I’m living in a real nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all the answers at this point. This morning in London, England, I went to pick up my dear friend Heklina, who is here with me in a Mommie Queerest show, and found her dead,” wrote Peaches Christ.
The pair toured with their stage production Mommie Queerest, a parody of the 1981 drama film Mommie Dearest, starring Faye Dunaway. It was set for a two-week run at Soho Theatre.
No official cause of death has been released for the artist.
Pictured: Heklina performs on stage at the Roast Battle at the 2019. Stefan Grygelko, 54, who was cherished by the San Francisco drag community and performed under the persona Heklina, was found dead in London on Monday
Tributes were paid by Peaches Christ on social media. Peaches Christ found Heklina dead Monday morning
American singer, actor and drag queen Trixie Mattel posted: ‘Icon! Heklina was punk rock and made drag what it is today. Legend.’
Soho Theater also confirmed Heklina’s death in a statement. It read: “Our thoughts are with Peaches, Mommie Queerest’s company, Heklina’s family, friends and their wider community.”
Heklina was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She lived in Iceland before moving to San Francisco.
The name Heklina comes from the volcano Hekla in the south of Iceland.
Heklina established legendary status in the San Francisco drag community in 1996 when she began hosting the popular weekly series now known as Mother, which attracted stars such as Lady Gaga and Charro.
The institution launched several drag careers, with RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars’ winner Alaska Thunder**** also a fan.
Pictured: Heklina on stage at Wigstock 2018 at Pier 17 on September 1, 2018 in New York City. Heklina was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She lived in Iceland before moving to San Francisco
On Monday, Heklina’s fans took to social media to pay tribute to the artist
American singer, actor and drag queen Trixie Mattel also paid tribute
“Heklina is an institution,” Alaska said in 2020. “The drag seedlings she has planted and watered over the years have grown into countless gardens and bouquets of top quality drag. I continue to admire her work ethic, her tenacity and her heart. And her birthmark.’
Heklina co-opened San Francisco drag venue Oasis in 2015.
She also performed and made numerous appearances at the city’s Pride events and various fairs.
She appeared in the 2010 independent parody feature Baby Jane? and regularly starred in productions of the city’s popular show Golden Girls Live.
Heklina performed with Peaches Christ in several stage productions.
She also appeared as Dorothy Zbornak in a very popular San Francisco drag production of The Golden Girls.
Heklina was one of the co-founders of the long-running drag show Trannyshack that started at the Stud bar in the mid-1990s.
She was part of the group of owners who relaunched the Oasis nightclub and theater in the city’s SoMa district, with its grand reopening in 2014.
On Monday, Heklina’s fans took to social media to pay tribute.
“I will miss you, thousands will miss you,” one person wrote on Heklina’s latest Instagram post.
“The memories we have and the laughter we received from you are the most precious gifts. Thank you for being so good to our community, Heklina.’