A drag queen who has been widely praised by media and the Biden administration is now facing accusations of multiple sexual assaults.
Known by the stage name “Shangela,” Darius Pierce has been hailed as a “breakthrough star.” He gained fame by appearing on RuPaul’s TV show and competing on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2022, even coming in fourth place. He also landed a role in the 2018 film “A Star Is Born” and recently graced the red carpet at Beyoncé’s premier of “Renaissance” movie. Pierce has been widely celebrated as a prominent advocate for the LGBT community, even scoring an invitation to a Biden administration event for the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act in Washington, D.C.
However, five people have come forward with allegations of sexual assault or attempted assault against Pierce, causing a stark contrast to the drag queen’s previous image. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Pierce’s lawyer has denied the claims, calling them “false” and stating that there is no evidence or reliable witness testimony to support them. Despite the lawyer’s defense, the accusers’ stories are alarming.
One of the accusers, a 27-year-old man known as Helmer, claimed that Pierce assaulted him in 2017 after a night of partying in Los Angeles. Helmer states that he has no memory of the events that occurred after Pierce bought him a drink and that he woke up naked in what he believed was Pierce’s home, being informed by Pierce himself that they had engaged in sexual activity.
Another accuser, Edward Ramirez, says he was attacked by the drag queen in 2018 during a party in Texas. Ramirez alleges that Pierce shoved him into a closet and tried to have sex with him. A third accuser, only identified as Checri, claims that in 2017, a then-37-year-old Pierce attempted to have sex with him in a London hotel room while Checri was under the influence of alcohol.
Pierce’s alleged actions have also been accused by a man known as Zachary, who said that Pierce bought him drinks at a New Orleans club until he blacked out, and he woke up to Pierce and another man attempting to rape him in 2015. A fifth man, RoyLee Soliz, also alleges that in 2012, Pierce provided him with drinks and sexually assaulted him in a Texas hotel room.
In a shocking turn of events, Daniel McGarrigle, a production assistant who had previously worked with Pierce on a HBO show, has also accused the drag queen of sexual assault. McGarrigle stated that after Pierce bought him numerous drinks, he woke up to Pierce trying to rape him. He filed a civil lawsuit against Pierce, which was eventually settled in February this year.
In this era of the #MeToo movement, one would expect these allegations to be widely reported. However, it is quite the opposite. If Pierce was an advocate of traditional marriage rather than a prominent LGBT activist, his alleged actions would receive constant media coverage.
Where the F is Metoo???
Drag Queen “Shangela,” who has now been accused of multiple sexual assaults, gave the welcome speech to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Pride event hosted at the VPs home in 2022. pic.twitter.com/hVW3IUYoDQ
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 18, 2024
It is a striking contrast, and it begs the question as to why there is a significant difference in the response when it comes to sexual assault allegations against individuals with different beliefs and backgrounds. While Pierce deserves a fair and impartial trial, others have faced tremendous consequences for far less.