Shangela facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Shangela at RuPaul's DragCon NYC, 2017
Born	Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce (1981-11-22) November 22, 1981 (age 43) Lamar County, Texas, U.S.
Other names	D.J. Pierce
Education	Southern Methodist University (BA)
Occupation	Drag queen television personality actor
Known for	RuPaul's Drag Race (season 2) RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3) RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3) Dancing With The Stars (season 31)

Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce, known by the stage name Shangela Laquifa Wadley or simply Shangela (born November 22, 1981), is an American drag queen, TV personality, and actor. She is famous for being on RuPaul's Drag Race. Shangela was the first person eliminated in season two. She then returned for the show's third season, finishing sixth. She came back again for the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. There, she tied for third/fourth place.

After Drag Race, Shangela appeared in many TV shows. These include Community (2011), 2 Broke Girls (2012), and Glee (2012). She also acted in the movies Hurricane Bianca (2016) and A Star is Born (2018). In 2019, she made history at the 91st Academy Awards. She became the first drag queen to walk the Oscars red carpet in drag. Since 2020, Shangela has hosted the HBO show We're Here. She hosts it with other Drag Race stars, Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara.

Shangela's Early Life and Beginnings

Pierce was born in Lamar County, Texas. He grew up in Paris, Texas. He was the only child of Debra Sue Pierce, who worked for the United States Army. His mother traveled often for her job. Pierce was raised by his single mother and her large family. His grandfather was a cowboy on a cattle ranch. In high school, he was a cheerleader. He started dressing in drag for creative projects in English classes.

Shangela's Career Journey

How Shangela Started in Drag

Shangela became Pierce's drag persona in January 2009. Pierce had planned a three-person drag show for a charity event. It was to be a performance of "Single Ladies". When one performer canceled, he was asked to fill in. The club's promoter was very impressed. He booked Shangela for the next week. In 2010, Shangela won the first California Entertainer of the Year pageant.

Shangela on RuPaul's Drag Race

After performing for five months, Shangela was chosen for season two. However, she was eliminated in the first episode. She tried out again and was invited back for season three. There, she made it to the top five. She also made short appearances in season four and All Stars season two.

Shangela returned for the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars. This made her the first queen to compete on three different seasons. She reached the season's finale. Many thought she would win. However, she was eliminated after getting only one vote from the jury of past queens. She then tied for third/fourth place with season-one winner Bebe Zahara Benet.

Shangela also competed in the TV special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular. In June 2019, New York magazine ranked Shangela second. This was on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America."

Other TV and Movie Roles

Shangela appeared on Toddlers & Tiaras. She coached her 9-year-old goddaughter for a beauty pageant. She also appeared in episodes of Glee, Bones, and Community. Shangela and other RuPaul's Drag Race contestants were in a Food and Drug Administration campaign against smoking.

Pierce had a non-drag role in a short film, Body of a Barbie (2011). It was shown on BET. In 2013, Shangela was in an ad for Facebook Home.

She was one of thirty drag queens in Miley Cyrus's 2015 VMA performance.

Shangela had a role in the 2016 comedy film Hurricane Bianca. She played Stephen. She returned for the 2018 sequel, Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate.

In 2018, she was a commentator for the U.S. for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. The same year, she had a role in the film A Star Is Born. She played a drag bar emcee alongside Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

Shangela on Dancing with the Stars

On September 8, 2022, Shangela was announced as a contestant on season 31 of Dancing with the Stars. She danced with Gleb Savchenko. Shangela and Savchenko made it to the show's finals. They finished in fourth place.

Shangela Co-Hosts We're Here

Since 2020, Shangela has co-hosted We're Here on HBO. She hosts with Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara. In the show, the three drag queens travel across the United States. They help people in small towns create one-night-only drag shows. The series started on April 23, 2020. It has been praised by critics. The show was renewed for a fourth season. However, new queens will replace Eureka, Bob, and Shangela.

Shangela's Music Career

On August 23, 2011, Shangela released her first song, "Call Me Laquifa". Her second song, "Werqin' Girl", came out on August 7, 2012. The music video for "Werqin' Girl" features Abby Lee Miller and Jenifer Lewis. On March 15, 2018, Shangela released a new song called "Pay Me".

In 2013, Shangela appeared in the music video "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" by Kenya Moore. In 2018, Shangela sang and appeared in the music video for "Doll Hairs". This song was by Todrick Hall.

In 2019, singer Ariana Grande used Shangela's voice on the song "NASA". This song is from Grande's album Thank U, Next.

Other Activities and Ventures

Shangela in 2018

Shangela is known for her catchphrase, "Halleloo". The Los Angeles Times called it one of the "2010 Top Terms We Learned on Reality Television". Shangela also has a funny character named Laquifa. Laquifa became famous during season three of Drag Race. Shangela has performed comedy as Laquifa. She has also performed in the Drag Queens of Comedy show. She is also the creative director for the Werq the World tour.

After being on Drag Race, Shangela started "Say What Entertainment" in 2014. This is a talent and management agency.

Shangela was named one of OUT Magazine's "Most Compelling People of 2011".

Pierce has also worked to raise awareness about AIDS. He was in an ad for Gilead Sciences called "Red Ribbon Runway". The dress he wore in the ad was sold to raise money for the National Association of People with AIDS. In June 2020, Pierce worked with Actors Fund of America. They created "Feed the Queens". This charity helps drag queens who lost work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She is one of the most popular queens from Drag Race. She has over 1.5 million Instagram followers.

Shangela's Personal Life

Pierce in 2020

Pierce is gay. He has mixed African-American and Saudi Arabian heritage. For over ten years, he has lived in the basement of Jenifer Lewis' poolhouse in Los Angeles, California.

RuPaul's Drag Race season-five contestant Alyssa Edwards is Shangela's drag mother. This means Alyssa Edwards helped Shangela learn about drag.

Shangela's Film and TV Appearances

Movies

Television Shows

Music Videos

Web Series

Shangela's Discography

Singles

Guest Appearances

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Shangela para niños