On the show’s 31st season premiere, RuPaul’s Drag Race Allstar’s season three queen Shangela officially became the first drag queen to compete in the U.S. version of Dancing With The Stars. Shangela is also one half of the US dancing competition’s first all-male pairing.
My heart was racing like crazy but when the announcer guy started the intro, in my mind I went into full on Beyoncé at the Super Bowl mode,” Pierce wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
“I wanted to deliver y’all a moment that was worthy of all ur love and support, and also show people that might not be familiar or loving of drag queens, that we belong, and we know how to Turn The Party! Keep cheering, watching and Voting because we are in this together hopefully all the way to the finals!”
Shangela and her partner, Russian American dancer and choreographer Gleb Savchenko, received a standing ovation after their dazzling salsa performance to the Pussycat Dolls’ song “When I Grow Up.”
"Keep cheering, watching, and voting because we are in this together hopefully all the way to the finals!" Shangela continued in her post.
"We won’t make it without you. I’ll be doing my part… rehearsing, learning from amazing partner @glebsavchenkoofficial, taking care of my body, and keeping my mind so grateful for this opportunity to DANCE FREE… as ME! Y’all keep coming back every Monday. And tell a friend to vote. A neighbor. The person that asks u if u wanna pay an extra ten cents for a grocery bag. Whoever! Luv y’all."
After their sensational routine, the team earned sevens from all four judges and was the fourth-highest score of the 16 competing dance teams.
Fans were quick to praise the drag artist’s debut performance. One Twitter user wrote:
Shangela baby WORK… this partnership will be fun #dwts
— Lele 🤍✨ (@AleaNicoleee) September 20, 2022
I BETTER SEE A DEATH DROP THIS SEASON SHANGELA !! #DWTS pic.twitter.com/IEGnztRZBD
— The Gentleman from Harrison Township (@HockinAdriano) September 20, 2022
ONLY SEVENS FOR SHANGELA?? #DWTS pic.twitter.com/YR0s9smTMo
— Chris (@CNicosiaAnthro) September 20, 2022
Shangela follows in the footsteps of fellow Drag Race alum, Courtney Act was the first drag performer on the franchise’s Australian version. Act ultimately came in second place on the 19th series.
Dancing With the Stars premieres live Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+.
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