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Shangela Becomes First Drag Queen Cast on US Dancing With the Stars
Shangie is making history yet again!
Halleloo!
RuPaul's Drag Race superstar Shangela is making history once again by becoming the first-ever drag performer to compete on the American version of Dancing With the Stars. The All Stars 3 finalist has just been cast in season 31 of the series.
Shangela, who is a gay, cisgender man when not performing in drag, has been paired up with pro dancer Gleb Savchenko, and the two will compete as a same-sex pairing on DWTS, just like JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in season 30.
Drag Race fans know Shangela as a dancing queen who had already worked with the likes of Alyssa Edwards prior to becoming a drag entertainer. In recent years, Shangie became one of three hosts on HBO's We're Here and was featured in the Lady Gaga reboot of A Star Is Born.
The drag superstar shared her excitement on Instagram, writing:
"I feel so honored to be the first drag entertainer to compete on the show. It's about darn time!!! So all y'all who've been in my corner all these years, tell a friend! We've got Another One! Let's go win this Crown... I mean, Mirrorball! I luv y'all!"
Savchenko has also shared the exciting news that he's been paired up with Shangela on DWTS. The pro dancer wrote on Instagram:
"The news are out! Meet my partner @itsshangela. So stoked! It's gonna be a one of a kind amazing season on @dancingwiththestars. Now we need a team name!"
The rest of the Dancing With the Stars season 31 cast includes Jordin Sparks, Selma Blair, Teresa Giudice, Gabby Windey, Vinny Guadagnino, and Charli D'Amelio, among others. For the first time in the history of the show, DWTS will air on Disney+ instead of ABC.
While there hasn't been any confirmation yet, there's an assumption - or expectation - that Shangela will be in full drag to compete throughout the series. After all, she's always made it a point to be in full drag when walking the red carpet at the Oscars or attending an event from the US Vice President... so she might want to represent the artform of drag on Dancing With the Stars as well.
We will be watching and rooting for Shangie!
Dancing With the Stars season 31 premieres September 19 on Disney+.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out, as well as a writer and content creator. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida. You can follow him on Instagram at @bernardosim.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out, as well as a writer and content creator. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida. You can follow him on Instagram at @bernardosim.
