Shangela Addresses Horrific Assault Allegations Filed Against Her
Shocking and horrific assault allegations have been filed against Dancing With The Stars Season 31 alum Shangela. The drag performer has also broken her silence on these allegations telling her side of the story. What are the details of these horrific allegations? And, what did Shangela have to say about them?
A former crew member officially files a case against Shangela
When not in drag, Shangela goes by her legal name, Darius Jeremy Pierce, or “DJ” for short.
This week, former We’re Here crew member Daniel McGarrigle filed a claim against Pierce, alleging sexual violence happened at a work-related party in February 2020.
According to legal documents obtained and published by Deadline, McGarrigle claims that Pierce bought him several alcoholic drinks during the party — even though McGarrigle said he did not drink much.
Afterward, Pierce allegedly requested that McGarrigle accompany Pierce to his hotel room to help him pack up for a flight the next day. McGarrigle reported that he had too much alcohol and began vomiting once they reached the hotel. In response, Pierce reportedly asked McGarrigle to lie down on the bed.
The lawsuit reports that McGarrigle woke up at some point and claimed he “felt Pierce on the lower half of his body.” Pierce was allegedly performing sexual acts on McGarrigle while he was unconscious. McGarrigle claimed he said “no” and tried to fight back, but felt weak and fearful.
The suit claims that “Pierce was aggressive physically and verbally, telling McGarrigle, ‘I know you want it, and you’re going to take it.’”
Afterward, McGarrigle said he was so afraid of losing his job, that he did not report the assault. Instead, he claimed that he just wanted to have a professional working relationship with Pierce moving forward. The suit also claims that Pierce had frequently behaved inappropriately with McGarrigle and continuously flirted with him. McGarrigle reportedly put up with the inappropriate behavior until he ultimately left his job in the summer of 2021.
Shangela breaks silence on allegation
The drag performer gave a statement to the Los Angeles Times, denying the allegations.
“I can’t begin to explain how hurt and disgusted I am by these totally untrue allegations. They are personally offensive and perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community…” Shangela wrote.
She went on to say that an external investigation proved that the claims were unfounded.
“This newest filing is nothing but an attempt to shake down both me and a well-regarded television company,” she continued.
“…As a hardworking and outspoken drag entertainer for more than a decade, I know that I am far from alone in battling ignorance, bigotry and prejudice, all of which played a role in the filing of this complaint. That is why I will fight this entirely meritless lawsuit and not allow it to destroy me and those I love, or harm the causes we all stand for.”
Time will tell how the allegation charges play out, but this has certainly already hurt the performer’s reputation.
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