Drag Race star Shangela hails importance of going to the Oscars in drag
(MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty)
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shangela has hailed her landmark appearance on the red carpet in drag.
The drag artist, who featured alongside Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born, told Variety before the awards show on Sunday (February 24): “Honestly, I’m just so grateful to be here.
“And I think I might be one of the first, if not the first, drag queens, in drag, to ever walk down the red carpet at the Oscars.
“I hope that means something to somebody out there, because it means something to me.”
— Shangela on the Oscars red carpet
“And I hope that means something to somebody out there, because it means something to me,” added Shangela, who appeared in seasons two and three of RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as season three of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars.
#AStarIsBorn actress Shangela on being one of the first drag queens in drag at the #Oscars: “I hope that means something to somebody out there” pic.twitter.com/hWnCRQoHqU
— Variety (@Variety) February 24, 2019
When asked if she might surprise fans during the show, she joked: “You never know where I’ll pop up, I’m Shangela, okay?”
Fans were delighted with Shangela
Shangela’s supporters hailed the queen’s comments on the red carpet.
Many voiced their pride, like the fans who wrote: “So proud of you @itsSHANGELA,” “Proud of my girl” and “so proud.”
Others praised her even more enthusiastically, with one person tweeting: “AS3 WINNER KEEPS ON WINNING I’M SO HAPPY FOR HER ❤️.”
Shangela wore a stunning dress to the Oscars on February 24 (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty)
Another said: “Goes to show you when you’re a humble, kind and lovely human being you reap the benefits!!! Love you @itsSHANGELA.”
And one more fan commented: “YAS SHANGIE! She deserves it, drag conquering the world!”
queer films dominate Oscars
While Shangela warmed hearts on the red carpet, the Oscars 2019 winners list was dominated by films featuring LGBT+ characters and actors, including Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite and A Star Is Born.
Green Book, which tells the story of the friendship between black jazz pianist Don Shirley and his white driver in 1960s America, picked up best picture and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.
In the film, Ali’s Shirley is shown being detained by police after having gay sex.
Olivia Colman picked up best actress for her role as Queen Anne in the lesbian comedy-drama The Favourite, which co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
Colman said in her speech, “This is hilarious! I’ve got an Oscar!”
She hailed her co-stars, Stone and Weisz, as “the two loveliest women in the world to go to work with” and also praised her fellow nominees, Glenn Close and Lady Gaga.
