Photo: ABC/Eric McCandless
RuPaul’s Drag Race’sShangelahas made history as the first drag performer to appear onDancing with the Stars.
Born D.J. Pierce, the drag queen, 40, was reflective and appreciative following her barrier-breaking debut Monday night.
“It was such a special moment to be here tonight,” she said. “I mean, in the rehearsals I could see this moment coming in my head, but I never could have imagined that it would be as awesome as it was. When the crowd started chanting and screaming for us … it was everything.”
Shangela and partnerGleb Savchenko, 38, received astanding ovation following their performanceto thePussycat Dolls' “When I Grow Up.” TheDrag Racestar said the song resonated with her own life growing up in Paris, Texas, using movies as an outlet for creativity.
“I wanted it so hard,” Shangela added. “Gleb worked so hard, and I wanted to deliver a moment that people could cheer about tonight — and that’s what they did.”
The crowd’s overwhelming response was all the more meaningful because Shangela and Savchenko are also the first-ever all-male pair to compete onDWTS.
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Savchenko is proud to be part of history, too. “We’re changing the world, and I love it,” the ballroom dancer previously said onGood Morning America. He recalled learning that Shangela would be his partner and thinking, “‘Sign me in. I’m going to live my best life.'”
ABC/Eric McCandless
The duo got off to an impressive start, with their salsa earning seven’s from all four judges:Len Goodman,Carrie Ann Inaba,Derek Houghand Bruno Tonioli.
“So spicy, so hot, it’s intoxicating what you do!” Tonioli told Shangela, who he said was “totally in command.”
Savchenko was equally impressed with the performance — and the judges’ scores. “I’ve never had [four sevens] on week 1,” he said, much to Shangela’s delight. “And I’ve been doing this show for 11 seasons!”
Shangela first appeared onRuPaul’s Drag Racein season 2, but after facing elimination early on, returned as a surprise contestant the following season, placing fifth. Season 3 ofDrag Race All Starsbrought his strongest performance, as he tied for third and fourth place withBeBe Zahara Benet.
As the first contestant to participate in three different seasons of the show, Shangela said she feels prepared for the ballroom — and the cameras.
“I think that’s how I’ve been able to connect with so many people around the world in an authentic way, is because when Shangela shows up, I show up as myself, and you get me with no cameras the same way that you get me with cameras, so here I come.”
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Dancing with the Starsairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+.
source: people.com
