Shangela has thanked RuPaul for saying she should’ve won Drag Race. During a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, the host told Andy Cohen that Shangela is the one queen who deserved to take home the crown: “She’s amazing.
We’ve actually put her on the show, like, three times? “Something like that. She’s a fabulous queen.” Shangela memorably starred on three seasons of Drag Race, seasons two and three and All Stars 3.
Her loss in the latter was highly controversial amongst fans, and is still regarded as one of the most shocking moments in the show’s herstory.
Responding to Ru’s comments, Shangela said in an Instagram statement that her “acknowledgment feels just as validating as any [crown]”, before expressing her gratitude for the opportunities that have been afforded to her as a result of Drag Race. “And I’m even more grateful for the Drag Race sisterhood, and the fans around the world that have stood by me while I tried, failed, even broke a leg… but never gave up,” she told her fans. “And here we are today, still standing … still entertaining… still creating!” Shangela continued to thank her passionate supporters and said that, despite never winning Drag Race, she will be “forever strutting forward as a winner.