Shangela Laquifa Wadley

Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Shangela in May 2011
Born	Paris, Texas, U.S.
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.
Occupation	Drag Queen Reality Television Personality
Website	Official Website

Shangela Laquifa Wadley is the stage persona of D.J. Pierce, an American drag queen, comedian, and reality television personality who competed on RuPaul's Drag Race Seasons 2 and 3. She was the first contestant eliminated in season two, and returned as a surprise contestant in the series' third season. She was among the top five contestants before her elimination in the eleventh episode. Since RuPaul's Drag Race, Shangela has had several television appearances and continues to perform across the United States and Canada.

Pierce grew up in Paris, Texas, and was raised primarily by his grandparents as his mother was in the military and relocated often. He has said he is of African-American and Saudi Arabian descent. Pierce was the first male cheerleader in his local high school since 1968. He began dressing in drag to get A's in creative projects for English classes in high school. After high school, Pierce attended Southern Methodist University and graduated with honors. He briefly worked in public relations before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 contestant Alyssa Edwards is Shangela's drag mother.

Shangela emerged as Pierce's drag persona in January 2009. Pierce had choreographed a three-person drag act to "Single Ladies" for a sober charity event in Los Angeles, and when one of the performers cancelled, the other two asked him to fill in. The club's promoter was so impressed with Shangela's performance that he offered to book him for the following week. In 2010, Shangela was crowned in the first California Entertainer of the Year pageant; the first alternate was Chad Michaels.