Shangela Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Partner, Movies & TV Shows, Real Name

Shangela Laquifa Wadley, known simply as Shangela, is a trailblazing American drag queen, actor, and reality TV star who’s become a global icon. Born in Texas, she rose to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, charming audiences with her charisma and Southern flair.

From starring in A Star Is Born to co-hosting HBO’s We’re Here, Shangela’s bold performances and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community have made her a standout.

Profile

• Full Name: Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce
• Stage Name: Shangela Laquifa Wadley
• Born: November 22, 1981
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Lamar County, Texas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Drag Queen, Actor, Reality TV Personality, TV Producer
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches
• Parents: Debra Sue Pierce (mother)
• Siblings: None (only child)
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce was born on November 22, 1981, in Lamar County, Texas, and raised in Paris, Texas, by his single mother, Debra Sue Pierce, an Army veteran who traveled often for work. Shangela is biracial, with African-American and Saudi Arabian heritage, as her father, who returned to Saudi Arabia after his parents’ early separation, is of Saudi descent.

As a high school cheerleader, she began exploring drag for creative English class projects, sparking her passion for performance. Shangela graduated with honors from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, studying business, which gave her a strong foundation for managing her career in entertainment.

Career

Shangela’s drag career began in 2009 when she filled in for a charity performance of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” adopting the name Shangela Laquifa Wadley, inspired by a telemarketer’s memorable client. After just five months of performing in Los Angeles, she joined RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 (2010) but was eliminated first.

She returned for Season 3 (2011), placing sixth, and later competed on All Stars Season 3 (2018), tying for third/fourth place, becoming the first queen to compete on three seasons. Her viral “Sugar Daddy” speech and sassy persona made her a fan favorite.

Shangela’s acting credits include Community (2011), 2 Broke Girls (2012), Glee (2012), Bones (2014), The X-Files (2016), and Broad City (2019).

She played Stephen in Hurricane Bianca (2016) and its sequel (2018) and a drag bar emcee in A Star Is Born (2018) alongside Lady Gaga. In 2019, she made history as the first drag queen to walk the Oscars red carpet in drag.

Since 2020, Shangela has co-hosted HBO’s We’re Here with Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O’Hara, earning praise for showcasing drag in small-town America. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars Season 31 (2022), finishing fourth with Gleb Savchenko, and commentated the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest for the U.S.

Awards and Nominations

• OUT Magazine: Named one of the “Most Compelling People of 2011” (2011)
• Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards: Nominated for Best Ensemble Cast in a Reality Series for We’re Here (2021)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @itsshangela
• Facebook handle: Shangela
• Twitter handle: @itsShangela
• YouTube Channel: Shangela
• TikTok Handle: @shangela

Personal Life

Shangela, 43, lives in Los Angeles, California, where she’s based her career for over a decade, often staying in the basement of actress Jenifer Lewis’s poolhouse, a close friend and mentor. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches and weighing about 65 kg, she has a slim build, with black hair and dark brown eyes, often using blonde wigs in drag.

Shangela is openly gay, uses he/him pronouns, and is single, focusing on her career over relationships. Her drag mother, Alyssa Edwards, helped shape her drag persona.

Shangela is a passionate advocate for AIDS awareness, appearing in Gilead Sciences’ “Red Ribbon Runway” ad and raising funds for the National Association of People with AIDS.

Filmography

Film:

• The Panty Man (2009) – Young Poet
• Hurricane Bianca (2016) – Stephen
• Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate (2018) – Stephen
• A Star Is Born (2018) – Drag Bar Emcee (as D.J. Shangela Pierce)

Television:

• Terriers (2010) – Mikaela
• Community (2011) – Dion
• 2 Broke Girls (2012) – Hallelujah
• Glee (2012) – Drag Queen
• Bones (2014) – Kimmy Moore
• The X-Files (2016) – Anna
• Broad City (2019) – Waitress
• We’re Here (2020–present) – Co-Host
• Dancing with the Stars (2022) – Contestant (Season 31, 4th place)
• Family Legacy (2023) – Self

Music Videos:

• “Beat It” (2009)
• “Applause” by Lady Gaga (2013)
• “Werqin’ Girl” with Abby Lee Miller, Jennifer Lewis, Yara Sofia
• “NASA” by Ariana Grande (2019, cameo voice)

Singles:

• “Call Me Laquifa” (2011)
• “Pay Me” (2018)
• “Kitty Girl” (2018, with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars cast)

Net Worth

Shangela’s estimated net worth is $1 million. Her income comes from TV appearances, drag performances, acting roles, hosting We’re Here, music releases, and brand endorsements with companies like Gilead Sciences and Macy’s.

Her wealth also includes earnings from comedy shows, merchandise, and her historic Dancing with the Stars run.