AJ Bediako, OG Drag Race UK Pit Crew member, reportedly dead

AJ Bediako, OG Drag Race UK Pit Crew member, reportedly dead

AJ Bediako via Instagram; AJ Bediako on RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Instagram (@aj_fitcoach); BBC/World of Wonder

AJ Bediako via Instagram reel; AJ Bediako on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

The Pit Crew alum is being remembered by his teammates, loved ones, friends, and partner.

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AJ Bediako, one of the original Pit Crew members of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is reportedly dead according to a statement shared by his teammates at the London Knights Basketball Club — a gay and inclusive basketball club in the United Kingdom.

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Bediako was an original Pit Crew member on Drag Race UK season 1, otherwise known as the "Brit Crew" in the BBC series. Overall, he appeared in episode 2 ("Downton Draggy"), episode 5 ("Girl Group Battle Royale"), and episode 6 ("Thirsty Werk") of that original season, won by The Vivienne, who also passed away earlier this year.

On Wednesday, May 28, the London Knights Basketball Club shared a statement about Bediako's passing that reads:

"We're heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our teammate, friend and much loved member of our family, AJ.

AJ was a core part of the London Knights, his uplifting energy, constant support and beaming smile lit up every room he walked into. In his role as club secretary, he gave so much to our community and played a huge part in shaping our club into the place it is today. His passing leaves a huge hole in our club and in our lives.

Last night at training, we came together to remember AJ and hold space for each other. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his partner Gabe, our teammates, his friends, and everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

Rest in peace, AJ. You will be missed immensely and will always be part of the Knights."

See on Instagram

Even though Bediako only appeared in the first season of Drag Race UK, it's worth noting that the Brit Crew's overall appearance on the show was significantly reduced starting in season 2 due to lockdown guidelines. Bediako was still very much remembered and loved in the Drag Race fandom, as shown in an X post from @Drag_Crave reporting on his passing.

Bediako proudly included "O.G. Brit Crew @dragraceukbbc" on his Instagram bio, and was also described as a Brit Crew member, actor, and model in a TikTok video shared by It Gets Better UK in January 2024.

"My teenage years were very hard and confusing because I grew up in a church, and everybody knew everyone," Bediako said in the video. "I had an inkling that I was different to other people. I knew I was attracted to guys. Around the time of YouTube popping up, that's when I started to get more information."

In the video, Bediako talked about having two older brothers, and revealed that coming out only brought them even closer to one another. "That was kind of the beginning of 'it getting better,' because I had people that were not judging me, that loved me for who I was," he explained. "They loved me because I was AJ. They loved me for who I was as a person. Even if you feel like people do not love you right now, there will always be people that love you. You are perfect the way you are."

@itgetsbetter_uk
Happy new year! 🎉 We’re entering this new year with positivity as we recall this heartwarming video of AJ Bediako, member of the Brit Crew from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 1. From coming out to his older brothers, to close friends, he found that “they loved me for who I was as a person”, and this was the beginning of things getting better. 🌈 🙌 Have you had your own ‘It Gets Better’ experience? Share it with us through the link in our bio. Let’s inspire more LGBTQ+ youth, together. #GayUK #LGBTQStories #ItGetsBetterUK #DragRaceUK

Rest in peace, AJ Bediako.