Aja is best known for competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine, All Stars 3, and Legendary season three. In December 2021, Aja came out as a trans woman. She subsequently also announced that she goes by the name Venus.
On Tuesday, November 21, Aja opened up about the medical issues – and bills – that she’s been facing as of late. Aja’s Instagram post included a statement that was originally written by her daughter, Davina (@hyperbolethequeen):
“Aja/Venus is a performance artist, runway model, spiritual leader, and NY native. For over 10 years she has worked as an entertainer and her sustainability has relied on her body. Recently, she has had to spend time in and out of hospitals due to leg swelling and various other injuries. With expenses piling and being unable to perform as frequently, she’s switched to a part time day job and doing spiritual readings for some income. However, this alone has not been enough to dig her out of the financial hole hospital visits and bills create.”
The statement continued, “This woman does so much for many communities – LGBTQ+ folk, people wanting to explore and seek spiritual guidance, the ballroom community, and more. She has opened her heart, her home and her mind to guide, entertain, and help so many people. Now she needs help, and although she’s a public figure with these enormous talents, life is not perfect for anyone. Attached below are ways to donate to her, please share this as much as possible and hopefully we can get her to a good place until she’s back up to 100% again.”
The methods of donation include Venmo: @ajanyc, PayPal/Zelle: ajathekween@gmail.com, and Cash app: $ajaibukole.
By the end of the Instagram post, Aja also shared a few words of her own. The Drag Race star wrote:
“P.S. (from Venus) I was in and out the hospital for 3 months straight and the medical people told me little to nothing. I am still dealing with really bad leg pain and whatnot, which is why I have not been dancing or voguing much. I’ve been walking runway as a form of exercise still but sometimes I do feel pain still. I’m hoping to get answers soon. But in all, the medical expenses and the travel to and from has been crazy on me as I am not working as much.”
Aja added, “Recently, I have taken on a day job to rehabilitate my legs and keep things going. However, the debt from being in the hospital multiple times and seeing multiple specialists has been insane. I’m hoping my day job helps lighten the load as well. Any help is appreciated. Just trying to get back on track! I know I may seem like I’m living this life because [of] social media [appearances], but social media is not real life.”
Scroll through to see Aja’s Instagram stories with pictures and additional remarks about her ongoing medical situation.
