All Stars’ Shea Couleé Will Donate to Black Lives Matter With Winnings
The finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars was a reunion and a coronation all-in-one. The eliminated contestants, in a surprise appearance, joined the Top 3 — Shea Couleé, Jujubee, and Miz Cracker — for well-wishing and to say everything that was “left unsaid,” as RuPaul termed it.
This conversation consisted mostly of India Ferrah, Alexis Mateo, and Mayhem Miller addressing a possible conspiracy to eliminate Shea. While India never admitted to deliberately causing drama, she did apologize to Alexis for publicly attacking her character, which seemed to calm the waters in the Werk Room.
Afterward, all of the contestants took to the runway for a collective display of all-star eleganza. And the Top 3 slayed a dance routine to RuPaul’s song, “Clap Back!” before performing one last lipsynch to Janelle Monae.
Ultimately, it was Shea who took home the crown. Below, in an interview just before the finale’s airing, she discussed the win, being a role model for Black queer youth, and the drama with Alexis and India.
The Advocate: Thank you for talking about the importance of mental health this season. In these extraordinary times, how you are feeling and coping?I have thankfully through the help of therapy and friends learned an amazing set of tools to help me cope. One of my biggest ones during this season has been gardening. It has been lovely and a great way to relieve stress.
What would it mean to you personally to win All Stars?For me, it would be a confirmation that you can achieve your dreams if you never give up. As corny as it sounds, you can achieve what you want to do.
In the finale, RuPaul talked about how meaningful it was to be able to give you a platform. If you were given the platform of the All Stars winner, how would you use it?I would use my platform to help elevate queer Black voices and to provide information and hope to people who identify with my story and my experiences.
Looking forward, how do you hope to give a platform to others?By sharing the spotlight. That is the easiest way to help build others up. I want to help others achieve their dreams and full potential.
What message do you hope to send to the Black queer kids who look up to you?That you are POWERFUL, WORTHY, LOVED, and SPECIAL.
What would you do with the prize money?I would donate $10,000 to Black Lives Matter, put $10,000 in a high yield savings account, and then put the rest into a down payment on a house.
In this last episode, who were you most excited to see emerge from behind the glory hole?It would have to be a tie between Mariah and Alexis.
What is your relationship with India and Alexis like now that everything “was said”?I have lots of love for the girls. But when it comes to relationships I communicate more with Alexis Matteo.
Outside of the drag world, who do you consider an all-star, and why?Rihanna. She is a queen. I love her so much! Rihanna if you are reading this slide into my DMs and let me know where the party is at.
What would you say to your dad if he were alive today?Thank you! I would say thank you for being so amazing and for teaching me how to have integrity and how to treat everybody with respect. Oh and also, can I have your biscuit recipe.
Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Daniel Reynolds
