Shea Couleé has become one of the most successful queens to come out of RuPaul’s Drag Race. After losing to Sasha Velour in the season nine finale, Shea went on to wow Drag Race fans and judges during her performance in All Stars 5. After winning her season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Shea Couleé has launched an exhilarating career redefining a drag queen’s potential.
Both times she competed on Drag Race, Shea Couleé entered as a professional performer poised to take the crown. With four challenge wins under her belt heading into 2017’s season nine finale, Shea was the obvious favorite to claim the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. Unfortunately for Shea, Sasha Velour pulled the rug right out from under her with an unforgettable rose petal reveal that sent the New York City queen straight to the crown and eliminated Shea. Although it was undoubtedly devastating for Shea to have lost after getting so close to winning, the Chicago-based queen did not waste her time after season nine of Drag Race. Shea utilized the platform she gained while on Drag Race and released several singles, including “Créme Brulée” and “Gasoline” in 2018, ”Rewind” in 2019, and “Collide” featuring GESS and Mykki Blanco in 2020.
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Additionally, Shea prepared for All Stars during her time off after her season nine defeat. By the time she was announced as a member of All Stars 5‘s cast, Shea was once again the favorite to win. With an updated wardrobe, honed skills in rap and dance, and a fire to finish what she started in season nine, Shea Couleé claimed the crown during her All Stars run. Since winning Drag Race, Shea became a phenomenon in and out of the drag world. Despite winning in the middle of a pandemic that almost completely erased the entertainment industry for several months, Shea successfully took advantage of her win to accelerate her career as an entertainer. One realm Shea slayed after her deserved All Stars 5 triumph was that of the magazine cover. Shea became a cover girl gracing publications such as Gay Times, Out, Dazed, Paper, and New York Magazine.
In addition to magazines, Shea was victorious in the world of modeling. Along with season 12 stars Jaida Essence Hall and Gigi Goode, Shea was featured in Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty fashion show. Most recently, Shea has expanded her hold over the modeling world with her new podcast, Wanna Be On Top? with Shea Couleé. The podcast breaks down Shea’s favorite moments from America’s Next Top Model with special guests like Nicole Byer and fellow season nine Drag Race contestant Peppermint. Shea has also taken advantage of her booming social media presence since her All Stars win. Due to her performance on TV, magazine covers, and runways Shea has accumulated over 1.5 million Instagram followers. Shea keeps in touch with her millions of fans, regularly sharing new fierce drag looks, promoting her podcast, and even teaming up with season 13 Drag Race winner Symone.
Although RuPaul did not offer her the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar, Shea Couleé ensured she would not let her season nine loss define her. Even after Shea won All Stars 5, she knew her work cementing her legacy as a Drag Race winner was just beginning. With crowns, Rihanna runways, and over a million followers under her belt, not even a pile of rose petals could stop Shea Couleé from launching drag to new heights.
Source: Shea Couleé
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