New Orleans has a way of swallowing stories whole. Usually, it's the bright lights, the brass bands, and the "Queen Diva" herself, Big Freedia, that grab the headlines. But behind the scenes of the bounce music revolution was a man named Devon Hurst.
Devon wasn't just a face in the crowd or a name in the credits of a reality show. Honestly, he was the anchor. You’ve probably seen him if you’ve binged Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce or Big Freedia Bounces Back. He was there through the hurricane evacuations, the legal battles, and the sudden, dizzying rise to global fame.
Then, in May 2025, everything changed.
The news hit New Orleans like a humidity spike in August. Devon Ethan Hurst passed away at the age of 38. The cause was complications from diabetes. It felt too young, too sudden, and for a community that viewed him as a staple of the 7th Ward and the bounce scene, it felt deeply personal.
The Partnership Nobody Talks About (Enough)
Most celebrity relationships last about as long as a po'boy on a hungry afternoon. Devon Hurst and Freddie Ross Jr. (Big Freedia) were different. They were together for two decades.
Twenty years.
📖 Related: 3 Celebrities Died This Week: The Real Stories Behind the Headlines
Think about where you were twenty years ago. For them, that timeline spanned the pre-Katrina days of New Orleans, the struggle to rebuild, and the eventual crowning of Freedia as a cultural icon. Devon wasn't just a "partner" in the romantic sense; he was a foundational piece of the Big Freedia brand. He worked behind the scenes at Big Freedia Enterprises, Fuse TV, and World of Wonder.
He was the person who knew Freddie before the world knew Freedia.
There’s this misconception that everyone on a reality show is just "playing a character." If you watched Devon on screen, you saw something else. He was often the calm in the middle of the Queen Diva's storm. He was grounded.
More Than Just a Reality TV Co-Star
While the cameras captured the glitz, Devon’s real life was rooted in the dirt and grit of New Orleans and Kenner. He wasn’t just a "TV personality." He was a worker.
His resume reads like a map of the city’s soul:
- Gambino's Bakery: A local institution.
- Hurst Construction: Family-run and hands-on.
- Republic Liquor Company: Part of the local trade.
- Big Freedia Enterprises: The engine of the bounce movement.
He was a true artist, too. People who knew him well talk about his drawing. He’d sit and sketch, a quiet contrast to the loud, vibrating bass of the music that surrounded his professional life. He was also a father. He leaves behind a daughter, Zyrielle, and a son, Davonne.
That’s the part the "search results" often skip over. They focus on the celebrity connection, but for Devon, New Orleans was about family. It was about the eight siblings he grew up with and the community in Zachary and Kenner where he went to school.
The Reality of Health in the Community
We have to talk about the diabetes. It’s the elephant in the room whenever a 38-year-old passes away from "complications."
In New Orleans, and specifically within the Black community, health disparities aren't just statistics; they are lived experiences. Diabetes is a relentless thief. It doesn't care if you're on a hit TV show or if you've got the most famous partner in the city.
Freedia has been incredibly open about the pain of this loss, but also about the reality of the condition. In her 2025 album Pressing Onward, the influence of this grief is palpable. The album, which returned to her gospel roots at Pressing Onward Baptist Church, became a sort of eulogy and a survival guide all at once.
What We Get Wrong About His Legacy
People tend to categorize Devon Hurst as a "supportive partner." That’s a bit of a disservice.
In the bounce world, your "team" is your life. The dancers, the managers, the partners—they aren't just employees. They are the culture. Devon was a part of the movement that took a hyper-local New Orleans sound and forced the rest of the world to dance to it.
He was there when they were performing for "FEMA Fridays" at Caesar’s after the storm. He was there when the show moved to Fuse. He was there when the lawsuits happened.
He was the witness to the history.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans and Locals
If you're looking to honor the memory of Devon Hurst or understand the impact he had on New Orleans, don't just watch old clips. The city moves fast, but memory lasts if you're intentional about it.
- Support Local Bounce Creators: The ecosystem that Devon helped build—Big Freedia Enterprises and the local dancers—thrives on community support.
- Diabetes Awareness: This is the big one. If Devon’s story tells us anything, it’s that health monitoring in our 30s isn’t optional. Get screened. Check your A1C.
- Acknowledge the "Backstage" Heroes: Next time you see a celebrity, remember the "Devons" in their lives. The people who hold the umbrella, manage the books, and provide the emotional stability to keep the show running.
Devon Hurst was a son of New Orleans, a father, an artist, and a partner who stayed loyal for twenty years in an industry designed to break people apart. He wasn't just a co-star; he was the heartbeat of the operation.
Rest easy, Devon. The bounce goes on, but it sounds a little different now.
Next Steps for Readers:
To truly understand the culture Devon was a part of, look into the history of the 7th Ward and the evolution of the Pressing Onward Baptist Church in New Orleans. These are the places that shaped the man behind the Queen Diva.