Ach, another one gone too soon. It fair makes ye think, doesn’t it, when someone who brought so much joy, especially to our own Edinburgh Fringe, passes away at only 51. Hearing about Maxi Shield, a performer who lit up stages from Sydney to Scotland, it just gives you a jolt.
I remember seeing bits and bobs of her on the telly, that Drag Race Down Under show. She was a proper character, wasn’t she? Full of life, quick with a laugh, and a real presence.
It’s a powerful thing, the Fringe. Folk come from all corners of the world to share their art, their stories, their very souls, and for a short while, Edinburgh becomes this incredible melting pot. Maxi Shield was one of those brave souls, bringing her unique sparkle to our cobbled streets.
It was actually during last year’s Fringe that she spoke openly about a ‘very scary’ health concern. She ended up in hospital, an emergency, because of complications from an ‘issue with a swollen gland’ that was pressing against blood vessels in her throat. That must have been terrifying.
The subsequent medical exams, as these things often do, delivered devastating news. She revealed that ‘this little swollen thing on the side of my throat is cancer’, though she also mentioned a ’70-80 per cent treatment rate’. You cling to those numbers, don’t you, hoping for the best.
She’d been undergoing chemotherapy, trying to shrink that tumour. Her last course of treatment started just this January. It’s a cruel beast, cancer, and it doesn’t care who you are or how much joy you bring to the world.
Her friends, those who knew her best, spoke of their heartbreak. One close friend shared a lovely sentiment, saying:
It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our dearest sister, Maxine, has passed away. We are all mourning the loss of an incredible icon, friend, and our beloved sister. Thank you for the laughs, the cackles, and the magic you brought into our lives. I will cherish every second of our 30-year friendship, and I’m so grateful that I was a part of your chosen family. You will be forever loved and deeply missed. I love you old girl.
It’s clear she was cherished, not just as a performer, but as a person. That’s the real measure of a life, I reckon, the love you leave behind.
The folk at Universal Sydney, where she was clearly a fixture, also expressed their sorrow. They noted:
We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of our beloved Maxi Shield’s passing. It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our dearest sister, Maxine, has passed away. In all my years in this community, there has never been a time I can remember when Maxi wasn’t an iconic presence (and she’d absolutely smack you for reminding her of that). Maxi worked across every queer venue in Sydney, touching hearts not only across the country but around the world through her appearance on Drag Race Down Under. This Mardi Gras will feel different. It will be more solemn, as so many of us gather carrying the space left by her smile, her quick wit, and her remarkable spirit.
An ‘iconic presence’ indeed. She made her mark, didn’t she? From the global stage of television to the intimate venues of the Fringe, she touched folk. She brought laughter, a bit of glamour, and a whole lot of heart.
It’s a reminder, I suppose, to appreciate the entertainers, the artists, the folk who dare to be different and make the world a bit brighter. They put themselves out there, often battling their own demons, to give us a good time.
Maxi Shield, you did good. You brought your magic to our wee corner of the world, and you won’t be forgotten. May you rest easy.
Originally reported by Edinburgh Live
