Words Tim Heap
When Shangela Laquifa Wadley — real name D.J. Pierce — was announced as one of the returning queens for the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, our first thought was “Halleloo!” Her golden goddess season-promo look showed a queen who was confident and ready to compete, and her workroom entrance was a far cry from the raggedy baby Shang we saw briefly way back on series two in 2010, and then again the following year, when she became the first queen to return to the show.
After a wonderful All Stars 2 in autumn 2016, expectations were high for the show’s next run. It was ultimately marred by one too many twists to the format by Ru — most notably the fact that a jury of eliminated queens were given the power to vote for the two finalists. Despite her strong performance in the competition putting her at the front of the pack, Shangela was overlooked by her sistas, whose votes gave the spot that should have rightfully been hers to Kennedy Davenport, a contestant who had landed in the bottom four in eight episodes. But although Barbie queen Trixie Mattel was crowned champion by Ru, Shangela emerged from the series as a new fan favourite, and in many viewers’ eyes, the real winner.