Eight-time Emmy winner RuPaul paid tribute to his 'dear friend' - singer-dancer Ari Gold - after he passed away, 47, following a battle with leukemia.'Lovely, Gentle Man @SirAriGold,' the 60-year-old drag icon - who boasts 7.7M social media followers - tweeted on Sunday.'Until we meet again, dear friend. @SirAriGold Love always, Ru.' RIP: Eight-time Emmy winner RuPaul (L, pictured in 2018) paid tribute to his 'dear friend' - singer-dancer Ari Gold (R) - after he passed away, 47, following a battle with leukemiaRuPaul (last name Charles) knew Ari since 2002, and he reposted their year-old conversation on his podcast, A Kiki From the Cancer Ward.Back in 2007, Gold portrayed Tyrone Cohen in Mike Ruiz's cult comedy Starrbooty, which starred the.