Lady Gaga Insisted Shangela Audition For ‘A Star Is Born’ [Interview]

As someone who works in this business and is also a fan of drag I literally could not believe how much you guys were in the movie when I saw it. I keep telling my friends, “Listen, it’s not one little scene.” So, what did you think when you sat down in the theater and saw how much screen time it was?  What was your emotional reaction?

Honey, it was like ordering one of those chocolate sundaes and they just keep dumping on the toppings.  Another one and another one, free of charge. That’s how I felt, because, again, you never know what’s gonna actually make it.  To see scene one and scene two on the stage and then scene three back in the dressing room, and then we come back again when Allie’s in the bathtub and it was just awesome. It was like having a sundae with all the toppings and honey, I was at a feast. I’m so thankful that all of that made it in the film and to be a part of this, knowing what a huge audience it’s gonna have, not only because of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, but because it’s a good film, a heart-wrenching film about following your passions and your dreams and that whole entertainment world which we’re all very connected with. I’m thrilled.

https://twitter.com/itsSHANGELA/status/1045425956599427072

Well listen, I know you can’t say it, but congratulations on already being in a best-picture-nominated movie, because that’s what’s gonna happen.

Well, let me get my gown, ’cause even if I have to be the bathroom attendant at the Kodak Theater in the men’s room, call me I’ll be there.

This movie is gonna be a major hit. It is gonna be a movie people will talk about for years.  Does this open any doors for either you, Willam or other drag performers to be in more mainstream, big Hollywood films?  Or do you think it’s one-off? How do you feel about the increasing level of drag in mainstream pop-culture?

Well, I 100% feel that this is just another great step in the direction of inclusion and not just that, but understanding that drag queens are a part of the thread of life.  And I think it’s really cool in this film how when Jackson goes to the drag bar, it’s not like a putt-slut kind of thing.  It is just part of the thread of the film, it’s a part of that experience. Just like drag for a lot of people is part of the daily life. It’s gonna open doors for many of us. And I think that that’s awesome. As an actor myself, I’ve worked in small guest-star roles and we’ve had the films on Netflix, “Hurricane Bianca” one and two, but my goal is to continue to work as an actor in Hollywood, both in and out of drag.  I think this gives studios, directors and even writers a great knowledge of, “You know what, this works in films. This will work. Telling these stories and this part of the story works.” So, I hope that creates, not only more opportunities for me, but more opportunities for all drag queens, not only here in the US, but around the world.

I know you’ve been busy touring, but when are we getting new music from Shangela?

Oh, you know it’s coming.  You know I have the song “Werqin’ Girl Professional” and I just have a new one out right now, covered at iTunes. We didn’t get to shoot the video for it because I’m on the go so much, but I do want to work on new music. But for me, I always like to write my music, I co-wrote “Werqin’ Girl.”  I also co-wrote “Pay Me.” So, I like to have a hand in everything that I’m doing and that takes time and it takes focus. ‘Cause I don’t want to just put out something to be putting something. I want my stuff to good, you know, that people can attach to. Music has great power, and I wanted to continue performing and entertaining and also through my own music. So, it’s coming girl, in 2019.

Well, listen DJ, thank you so much for taking the time and I really hope you take an amazing two-week vacation at some point, ’cause I do not know how you do it.

Honey, it’s a called a two-week nap, and it’s coming in 2019.

“A Star is Born” opens nationwide tomorrow.