Entertainment • Drag Performer

Shangela

Shangela is the stage name of American drag performer, actor, and television personality D.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Shangela is the stage name of American drag performer, actor, and television personality D. J. Pierce. They are best known for competing on multiple seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race and for appearing in television and film projects, including We're Here and A Star Is Born.

Early life

Published sources place Shangela's birthplace in Paris, Texas, and identify their birth name as D. J. Pierce or a closely related variant. The exact birth year is inconsistent across sources, which report either 1980 or 1981.

RuPaul's Drag Race

Shangela became widely recognized through RuPaul's Drag Race. Sources agree that Shangela competed in more than one season and is notable for appearing across multiple installments of the franchise.

Other screen work

Beyond drag competition, Shangela has appeared in television and film projects. Sources mention roles in We're Here, A Star Is Born, and other screen credits.

Public profile

Shangela has been profiled as one of the better-known drag entertainers in the United States. References also describe tours, live performance work, and recognition in entertainment media.

Key facts

Shangela is the drag persona of D. J. Pierce.
They are widely known for participating in RuPaul's Drag Race, including multiple seasons.
Shangela has also worked as an actor and television personality.
They appeared in the HBO series We're Here.
Shangela had a role in the film A Star Is Born.

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Canadian context

Shangela is relevant to Canadian readers through international drag culture, reality television fandom, and the broader popularity of RuPaul's Drag Race and related live performance tourism in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shangela?

Shangela is the stage name of American drag performer, actor, and television personality D. J. Pierce.

What is Shangela best known for?

Shangela is best known for appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race and for related television work.

What is Shangela's real name?

Published sources identify Shangela's birth name as D. J. Pierce, with some variants in spelling or full name across references.

Where is Shangela from?

Sources identify Shangela as being from Paris, Texas, in the United States.

Has Shangela acted in films or TV shows?

Yes. Sources list acting credits including A Star Is Born and the HBO series We're Here.

References

Wikipédia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangela_Laquifa_Wadley
Supports: Stage name, birth name, birthplace, profession, and general identification as a drag queen and television personality.
Wikipédia — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangela
Supports: Birth name, stage name, birthplace, birth date, and description as an American drag queen, reality television personality, and actress.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3842784/
Supports: Birth information, occupation as actor and producer, and credits including A Star Is Born, We're Here, and Terriers.
Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangela
Supports: Identity, birthplace, broad occupations, and participation in multiple RuPaul's Drag Race seasons.
Disney — https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_shangela_71078213.pdf
Supports: Shangela's profile, We’re Here, RuPaul's Drag Race history, acting credits, and Paris, Texas origin.
Southern Methodist University — https://www.smu.edu/alumni/news-and-stories/featured-stories/shangela-profile
Supports: SMU alumni profile, stage name, public recognition, and general career context.
Texas Monthly — https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/shangela-drag-queen-hbo-show/
Supports: Paris, Texas background and involvement in We're Here.
Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/shangela-wadley.html
Supports: Birthplace, birth year, and basic biographical summary.