D.J. "Shangela" Pierce

Actor and Performer D.J. “Shangela” Pierce, a trailblazer in the drag community, can currently be seen starring as a co-host and producer of the Emmy-nominated HBO series “We’re Here.” Famous for his phrase “Halleloo,” Pierce is part of a trio of drag queens, alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara, that travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows.

As Shangela, she has performed on six of the seven continents and is recognized as the first contestant to compete on three separate seasons of the Emmy award-winning reality series “RuPaul's Drag Race.” The accolades didn't stop there, as she also participated in the 31st season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in a commendable fourth place. Shangela has also guest starred on network television series, including "Glee,” “The Mentalist,” “X-Files,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Katy Keene,” "Community," "2 Broke Girls" and has appeared in several feature films, including A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, the comedy film Hurricane Bianca and its sequel Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate. Shangela's appearances in these popular television shows and films led to her becoming the first drag queen to walk the Oscars red carpet in drag at the 91st Academy Awards representing A Star Is Born.

In 2019, Shangela was recognized as part of the prestigious TIME 100 Next List and named one of “The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America” by New York Magazine. Her influence extends into the music industry, having released her first single, "Call Me Laquifa," in 2011 and appeared in music videos such as "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" by Kenya Moore. Beyond her career, Shangela is heavily involved with various charities, including her own Feed The Queens initiative, which provided over $100,000 in food grants to out-of-work drag entertainers in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With over 1.5 million Instagram followers as of October 2021, Shangela continues to entertain and inspire her fans through her many accomplishments. She is also the creative director of the Werq the World tour and launched "Say What Entertainment", a talent and management agency, in 2014. Her success throughout her career has led to her being featured as one of OUT Magazine's "Most Compelling People of 2011" and winning a Peabody Award for Entertainment in 2023.

A native of Paris, Texas, Pierce graduated with honors from Southern Methodist University, where he currently serves as an Advisory Board Member. He resides in Los Angeles and is a very proud gay Uncle.