Dimitry Etienne (center) is embraced while speaking to guests during a memorial for Amadou Thiam as a video plays depicting his drag queen persona ‘Ama-Diva’ at Voyeur Nightclub on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Philadelphia. Read more Joe Lamberti / For The Inquirer

by Jesse Bunch Published Dec. 13, 2025, 10:15 p.m. ET

Amadou Thiam lived the American dream — and then some.

The immigrant from Côte d’Ivoire worked his way up at a major airline as a flight attendant, purchased a home in South Philadelphia , and traveled to exotic locations when his schedule allowed for it.

He danced with friends at Philly’s nightclubs, even crafted a stage name for a yearly drag performance he gave at Voyeur — “Ama-Diva,” a play on his name that Thiam’s loved ones say reflected the 50-year-old’s

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