Exclusive: Shangela Reflects On The 2020 Emmy Nod For HBO’s We’re Here

Among the 2020 Emmy nominees for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program is the HBO series ‘We’re Here,’ hosted by former RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O'Hara and Shangela.

Consisting of six episodes, the series follows the trio of drag queens, who travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows. 

Shangela is best recognized as the only contestant to compete on three separate seasons of the Emmy-award winning reality series “RuPaul's Drag Race” (Seasons 2, 3 and “All Stars” 3). In 2018, she starred in the scene-stealing role as Lady Gaga’s drag mother in the Academy Award winning film “A Star Is Born” and completed a 184 plus city international tour, performing her comedy and cabaret act to sold out audiences. In 2019, Time Magazine honored Shangela by including her on their prestigious TIME 100 Next List, which highlights 100 individuals who are shaping the future of their field and defining the next generation of leadership.  Additionally, she recently guest starred on The CW’s “Katy Keene” and released her latest comedy special “Shangela Is Shook” on YouTube. 

In speaking exclusively with BlackFilmandTV.com’s Wilson Morales, Shangela talked about the Emmy nod and continuing to work hard work in this business.

How did you hear about the nomination? A lot of nominees like to say that their publicist called them. Did the same happen for you?

Shangela: I don't mean to be cliche, but my publicist did call me. It’s a true story. Getting a nomination for the show ‘We’re Here’ in its first season is incredible. I've always dreamed about this. I grew up in a small town, Paris, Texas, which is where I'm back right now quarantining with my mom and my grandma. Growing up with those dreams and watching shows like the Oscars and the Emmys, and being an actor, you always dream like, "oh my gosh, I would love to be a part of that.”Then our show this year is nominated. It's just such an amazing feeling, especially with all that's going on in the world right now. To have that type of feeling and to know it's about a show that is putting so much good I hope into the world, that it's really nice. 

I was at the nail salon with a mask on getting a pedicure when I got a call from my publicist Charlie because I didn't know the exact time they were doing it online. He called me and said, "Oh my gosh, I hope you’re sitting down" and when he told me I screamed in the nail shop, and the woman thought she had chipped my toe. I told her I just got nominated for an Emmy. 

For those who don't know the show, briefly explain what the show is about and what you do?

Shangela: Well, the show originally came from the creators, Stephen Warren and Johnny Ingram. When they approached me about it, this is how they sold it to me. They said, "Listen, we had this idea. We want three of the most fantastic drag entertainers that we know. You, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka O’Hara to travel across America to small conservative towns specifically, and partner with people to help them kind of realize the best versions of themselves. Being queer people with their stories and we want to highlight and showcase their stories, while also producing one night only drag shows in some of the most unlikely places that have never had them before.

So I was like, "You know what. That would have been so cool when I was a kid growing up in Paris to see a drag show rolled through my town.” Tp see any kind of visibility, support for black queer people in that community? So I was on board and was like, “Let's do it. Let's see." And then fast forward to today I'm just I'm over the moon. I'm so happy I said yes.

From being on Rupaul’s Drag Race to appearing in A Star Is Born, the last two years has provided a lot of visibility for you. Can you talk about just that visibility from going from one place and another still doing your thing?

Shangela: You know, it's very interesting, because you're right, the last two years have seen some really big moments for me. Being in A Star Is Born and walking the red carpet at the Oscars and and now We’re Here and it's Emmy nomination. That's really big. But to me, it feels consistent to the last 10 years, which has been non-stop work in my career ever since I came off of Drag Race to really season three. I really been non-stop working to make the most of every opportunity that's been laid in front of me. When you come from a place not having a lot, and I was the first in my family be able to go to college. I’ve been able to help support my mom and my grandmother and just continue to work. I go out to Hollywood. I went to college, I got a degree in communications and PR in about two and a half, three years. 

I'd rather be an actor and had to like let go of all that stability, security and having a job. I went to college and explained to my family, I want to go out to LA and try to be an actor, and work in TV and film. So it's just really nice in this moment to have experienced all that. But I've really haven't slowed down. I don't plan to yet either. I still have some loftier goals.

I went to Tyler Perry's studio opening back in October with Jenifer Lewis. I remember he said to the to the group there before they unveiled this beautiful, amazing studio. He said "I want to say one thing to you all that Oprah said to me when I was at one of her balls or a fundraiser or something." He said she pulled him aside and I didn't know how I got invited there. I was very thankful. He said, she pulled him aside and she said, "Tyler, I want you to dream bigger. Because sometimes we get to a place where we grow up with not a lot so we dream big. When it happens, we go, 'Oh my God,' but our dreams are sometimes limited based on where we came from." He says she told him he needs to learn to dream bigger. "So I challenge everyone in this room to now dream bigger," and I really took that to heart.

Although it’s early to ask, what are we expecting for season two?

Shangela: Season two is going to be bigger. It’s going to be bad, and it's going to have more glitter. The biggest thing that I'm most excited for season two is being able to get back out there.I know the HBO team and our production company are putting their heads together right now to figure out exactly how we can get back out there and start filming the second season of the show. They've already started casting, and figuring out how we can do it safely with everything that's going on and still produce the same high quality of content that we've been doing. I just know that it's going to be something phenomenal, and we're going to get out there and tell more of these amazing stories. Diverse and Inclusive stories that deserve to be highlighted and told.