Misua, a drag performer set to compete on season four of Drag Race: Philippines, died in her sleep on the morning of April 2, the show's production team announced. She was 27 years old.
Drag Race: Philippines and production company World of Wonder disclosed the death in a joint Instagram post that included a photograph of the performer. The announcement said production had been paused to support the cast and crew, and that the family had asked for privacy.
The exact cause of death has not been made public. No location was given beyond what was already known about Misua's background, her bio, obtained by Variety, identified her as a queen from Cagayan de Oro who had been performing for eight years. Known outside of drag as Jason Elvie Ty, she was preparing for what would have been her national television debut on the franchise's Philippine spinoff.
The joint Instagram statement from the show and World of Wonder struck a measured tone, calling Misua "a talented Queen" and praising her impact on those around her.
"She brought light, artistry, and joy to those around her, and she will be deeply missed."
The production entities added that they were in contact with Misua's family, who requested privacy during what they described as "this incredibly difficult time."
Separately, Misua's family posted a tribute on Facebook, referring to her by the name Jayson. Variety, Metro, and The Daily Tribune each reported on the family's message.
"Jayson was our dearly loved son, brother, friend, mentor, and most of all, Jayson is a star. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and close friends."
The slight difference in spelling, "Jayson" in the family post versus the previously reported "Jason Elvie Ty", has not been explained publicly. It may simply reflect a family nickname or alternate spelling.
Fellow performers from the broader Drag Race universe responded quickly. RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under alumna Hannah Conda called the news "absolutely heartbreaking."
"My thoughts are with my Filo family. I love you all and sending my love! She was an absolute star!"
Blue Hydrangea, the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, described the loss as "devastating" and said she was "sending all my love to everyone involved."
Sudden deaths of young television personalities have rattled fans across the entertainment world in recent months. The loss of Deadliest Catch deckhand Todd Meadows at just 25 drew similar waves of grief from viewers who had followed his career.
The decision to halt filming underscores the gravity of the situation for a franchise that has expanded rapidly across international markets. Drag Race: Philippines' third season premiered last year, with Maxie winning the competition and Khianna named runner-up, Variety reported. In October 2025, the outlet reported that the show would air its fourth season later this year.
Whether the production pause will affect that timeline remains an open question. The joint statement gave no indication of when filming might resume or how Misua's absence would be handled in the season's structure.
Details about celebrity health crises and unexpected losses have drawn intense public attention lately. Ray J's recent disclosure of a severe health crisis reminded audiences how quickly fortunes can change for public figures still in the prime of their lives.
The biggest unanswered question is the cause of death. "Passed away in her sleep" is the only detail the production team offered. No medical examiner's statement, hospital report, or law enforcement comment has surfaced in available reporting. In other high-profile cases, official findings from a medical examiner have taken weeks or longer to reach the public.
The location of Misua's death was not disclosed. Her bio linked her to Cagayan de Oro, a city in the southern Philippines, but it is unclear whether she was at home, on set, or elsewhere when she died.
Misua's eight-year performance career and her selection for a nationally televised competition suggest a talent whose reach was growing. Reality television, for all its gloss, puts real people in front of cameras, and when one of those people is lost at 27, the loss is felt well beyond the production lot.
The entertainment world keeps moving. New guest hosts step in on daytime shows, new seasons get announced, and the cycle rolls on. But for a family in the Philippines that just lost a 27-year-old they called "a star," no production schedule matters very much right now.
Twenty-seven is far too young for any obituary. The people who loved Misua deserve answers, and, at minimum, the privacy they asked for while they wait.