After being voted off RuPaul’s Drag Race on the season two premiere, gorgeous southern belle Shangela is back for seconds on the Logo hit’s third season. “I left a little too early, and I knew I had more to give. I auditioned again!” RuPaul’s potential “Next Drag Superstar” Shangela tells In Touch. In an exclusive interview, the drag queen diva dishes about the catfights, the competition and lip-syncing for her life, round two! Check out the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo at 10 p.m. on Mondays. For more on Shangela, click here or visit www.shangela.com.





Q: So what made you decide to go back on the Drag Race? Did RuPaul ask you back?
A:
I decided to go audition again because over the last year, I’ve been working hard. It’s been like drag boot camp for me! My fans wanted me to give it another shot. I’ve grown so much, and it’s time for me to shine. I left a little early last season, and I knew I had more to give. I auditioned again. I said, “Ru, I’ve grown a lot and here’s what I’ve done.” I wanted to show Ru and the team that this time, I was ready.

Q: What did you think when you had to lip sync for your life on the first episode – again?
A:
That’s one of the scariest feelings in the world. You really feel like you have to jump the plank into the ocean. I’ve been there in that spot before. To be back there, I felt, “Oh, I’ve let my fans down, I’ve let Ru down.” I know I only had one more chance. I knew it was time for me to turn it out.

Q: It didn’t seem like you deserved to be in that position!
A:
Neither did I! But you never know what to expect. When it came to the look I was giving on the runway, they didn’t think it was polished. My skirt was opening up in the back. It was fair, and thankfully, I was able to stay for another day.

Q: The lip sync for your life against Venus De Lite certainly got physical! What did you think about that?
A:
When I watched the episode, I got to see how physical it had gotten during the performance. But at the time, I didn’t see it. My focus was on performing. People said, “She was pushing you,” but I didn’t remember any of that. But lip syncing for your life isn’t a street fight to the death. It’s your chance to prove you still deserve to be here, and this is all you have to give. I turned it out for the stage. I’m glad I stayed.

Q: What can we expect later in the season from you?
A:
There are so many areas other than creating clothes and costumes. For a drag superstar, it’s about having charisma, nerve and talent. I really am a drag superstar. As the season unfolds, that is what I want to showcase.

Q: What happens on the next episode?
A:
It’s the Queens in Space episode! In a nutshell, it’s a challenge in which we are actresses, and are asked to step outside our comfort zone in a sci-fi kind of way. We had to be creative, entertaining and think on our feet.

Q: Who is your biggest competition?
A:
All of the girls have their strong points, or they wouldn’t be here. But my main competition is with myself. I’m Shangela, I was just in the bottom two, everyone is watching me and asking am I going to sink or swim.

Q: Any catfights or drama this season?
A:
There’s tons! We’re drag queens! It’s a competition for $75,000, full of cattiness and drama. But that’s not the way I operate.

Q: Who is your favorite guest judge?
A:
There are so many great judges, but Vanessa Williams is my favorite. She said I need more bronzer, but she’s still my No. 1 favorite. She was illuminating in that bustier. She’s a beauty icon and an extreme actress.

Q: We saw a little too much of you when your bustier fell down at the end!
A:
Well, I’d say always prepare for the unexpected. I didn’t think I would be in the bottom two, so my top didn’t have a strap and my wig wasn’t pinned on strong enough. But drag is all about the unexpected, the surprise. Even if I had to lip sync, I lived to die another day!


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