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Shangela

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Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Born
D.J. Pierce

(1982-11-22) November 22, 1982 (age 41)
Paris, Texas,
Occupation(s)Drag Queen
Reality Television Personality
Comedian
Actor
Websitehttp://www.shangela.com/main.php

Shangela Laquifa Wadley (born D. J. Pierce on November 22, 1982) is an African American drag queen, comedian, and reality television personality and contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Seasons 2 and 3. She was the first person eliminated in Season 2, and was a surprise contestant in Season 3, springing out of a box in the second episode. She was among the top five contestants before her elimination in Season 3, episode 11. Since RuPaul's Drag Race, Shangela has had several TV appearances and continues to perform across the United States.[1]

Personal History

D. J. Pierce grew up in Paris, Texas, and was raised primarily by his grandparents because his mother was in the military and relocated often.[2] Pierce was the first male cheerleader in his local high school since 1968.[3] He began dressing in drag to get As in creative projects for English classes in high school.[4] After high school, Pierce attended Southern Methodist University and graduated with honors. He worked in PR before moving to LA as an entertainer.[5]

Career

Shangela emerged as Pierce's drag persona in January 2009.[6] Pierce had choreographed a three person drag act to "Single Ladies" for a sober charity event in LA, and when one of the performers cancelled, the other two asked him to fill in.[7] The club's promoter was so impressed with Shangela's performance that he offered to book her for the following week. After only five months of performing in LA, Shangela was cast for Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Shangela is known for her catchphrase, "halleloo," which the LA Times considered one of the "2010 Top Terms We Learned on Reality TV."[8] Her comedian persona is Laquifa, who entered the limelight during Season 3 episode 8 in which she won the "Ru Ha Ha" competition. Since being on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3, Laquifa has performed comedy as Laquifa in Downelink.com’s “One Night Stand Up!” on LOGO. Additionally, she has performed in the Drag Queens of Comedy showcase alongside legends Lady Bunny, Jackie Beat and Coco Peru.[9]

Shangela has also had several TV appearances, including Toddlers & Tiaras, in which she coached her 9 year old goddaughter, Hailey, to compete in a beauty pageant.[10] Additionally, Shangela has had appearances in episodes of Community, Terriers, Dance Moms, and Detroit 187. She has also appeared in a commercial for Orbitz with fellow RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 contestants, Manila Luzon and Carmen Carrera. Shangela was featured as one of OUT Magazine's Most Compelling People of 2011.[11] D.J. has also had a non-drag role in a short film, Body of a Barbie, which aired on BET and was a Top 7 National Finalist on the network's Lens on Talent series.[12]

References

  1. ^ "On The Move - See Shangela Live!" Shangela - Debutantess Of The Deep South. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.shangela.com/pages.php?PID=events>.
  2. ^ "'Halleloo' for D.J. Pierce! Getting to Know the Man Behind Drag Sensation Shangela." AfterElton.com | The Pop Culture Site That Plays for Your Team. Ed. Dennis Ayers. 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.afterelton.com/people/2012/01/shangela-interview-dj-pierce-halleloo
  3. ^ "'Halleloo' for D.J. Pierce! Getting to Know the Man Behind Drag Sensation Shangela." AfterElton.com | The Pop Culture Site That Plays for Your Team. Ed. Dennis Ayers. 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.afterelton.com/people/2012/01/shangela-interview-dj-pierce-halleloo
  4. ^ 'Bout Me." Shangela - Debutantess Of The Deep South. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.shangela.com/about.php>.
  5. ^ "'Bout Me." Shangela - Debutantess Of The Deep South. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.shangela.com/about.php>.
  6. ^ "'Halleloo' for D.J. Pierce! Getting to Know the Man Behind Drag Sensation Shangela." AfterElton.com | The Pop Culture Site That Plays for Your Team. Ed. Dennis Ayers. 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.afterelton.com/people/2012/01/shangela-interview-dj-pierce-halleloo>.
  7. ^ Shangela. "'Bout Me." Shangela - Debutantess Of The Deep South. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.shangela.com/about.php>.
  8. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne, and Maria Elena Fernandez. "2010 Top Terms We Learned on Reality TV - Latimes.com." Http://latimesblogs.latimes.com. LA Times, 28 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/12/2010-top-terms-we-learned-on-reality-tv.html>.
  9. ^ http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/03/outscene-pre-view-le-faux-welcomes-drag.html
  10. ^ "'Halleloo' for D.J. Pierce! Getting to Know the Man Behind Drag Sensation Shangela." AfterElton.com | The Pop Culture Site That Plays for Your Team. Ed. Dennis Ayers. 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.afterelton.com/people/2012/01/shangela-interview-dj-pierce-halleloo>.
  11. ^ Shavarebi, Jordan. "Catching Up With Shangela." Out Magazine. 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.out.com/entertainment/interviews/2011/11/17/catching-shangela>.; "Shangela - Info | Facebook." Welcome to Facebook. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <https://www.facebook.com/ShangelaOnline?sk=info>.
  12. ^ "Lens On Talent | Short Films | Body of a Barbie - 11/02/10 | Lens On Talent | Videos | BET." Celebrities, Music, News, Fashion, Entertainment, TV Shows and Video | BET. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.bet.com/video/lensontalent/season2shortfilms/body-of-a-barbie-11-02-10-230629.html>.; "OUTscene: (PRE-view) Le Faux Welcomes Drag Race Star, Shangela on 4/8-9!" OUTview Online. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/03/outscene-pre-view-le-faux-welcomes-drag.html>.



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