Though she has traveled extensively, from the gayborhoods of Dallas, to the sound stages of Hollywood, to London's West End, it is clear that she still resides primarily in her own sparkly, sequined world--that home where there's love overflowing--and it's such a treat to be invited in. These cookies help us to learn what youre interested in so we can show you relevant adverts when using the GAY TIMES website. When you look back on your Drag Race experience, how do you feel about it? RuPaul's Drag Race superstars Shangela, Alyssa Edwards and Jessica Wild had the pleasure of impressing the one-and-only Jennifer Lopez Monday night, dressing as iconic moments from the singer's career on an episode of Watch What Happens Live. Ultimately, its the exuberant confidence that Edwardswho is also host of Dancing Queen on Netflixdelivers on camera and in person that led me to this realization: when the going gets tough as an adult, sometimes the solution is to just live a littleto view the world through the same carefree lens children do. As you said, in the past, he wants to see masculinity in a male dancer. We caught up with the dancer real name Jay Jackson to discuss her acting career, returning to reality TV, and why we wont see her on All Stars 4. Alyssa Edwards spoke with 'Cosmopolitan' about her Werq the World Tour, Shangela, her Beyond Belief Dance Company, and 'Dancing Queen' season 2 on Netflix. Shehas since skyrocketed to international drag superstardom. What Alyssa Edwards's Camp Tazo Experience Was Actually Like - Oprah Daily Many fans believe that Shangela was robbed and should've won instead of Trixie Mattel, butShangela has been doing just fine sinceAll Stars 3. Dancing Queen. I knew that my job was then to show them that I was an entertainer, that I could host on the microphone, I could give you different looks, Shangela says. And while Alyssa is a seasoned queen, having competed in--and won--a number of pageants, she makes it clear just how unprepared she was for the show, having watched a mere single episode of the show in support of drag daughter Shangela. Put off by her gloomy demeanor, Sawako has a hard time fitting in but when an outgoing classmate approaches her, life takes a turn for the better. Within seconds, a group of 30 chitter-chattering adult campers watch with a kid-like sense of awe as Edwards literally flies above the horizon. Alyssa Edwards' Secret - Alyssa's Birthday with Shangela What do you think? And theyd be like, Oh my Godyoure winning, arent you? Shangela says. I wanted to reach out to him and say, Richard, look where I am! In many ways, this will be peoples first introduction to me. But the whole idea of this weekend is to get out of our comfort zones.. Despite a controversial run on the show and a placement lower than she anticipated (8th) Laganja became one of the most iconic and quotable contestants in Drag Race HERstory. Shangela was the fan favourite in All Stars 3 until the queens in her season did her dirty right before the final lip sync. Career. Shangela, Alyssa Edwards And Jessica Wild Surprise Jennifer Lopez In she confidently declares, to which the other queens reply, "Who's Morris?" Everybody is always like All Stars, All Stars, All Stars, but I knew that there was something else out there for me that would showcase my real talent. On this episode of Alyssa's Secret, Alyssa Edwards and Shengela tell the story of how the two divas met! Snatching trophies. The show doesnt provide you with a manager or a team when you come out, so we had to really make it for ourselves, Shangela says. I wouldnt change anything for the world. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing RuPaul's Drag Race fan favorite and self-described "lovely fifth alternate" Alyssa Edwards, and it's no secret that, over the course of her two act, sold out engagement at Town Hall, she sashayed and tongue-popped her way into the hearts of her audience, one can of Red Bull and confidently declared malapropism at a time. . Shangela is taking over the entertainment industry, and politics may be on her horizon. Gia Gunn is also travelling the world internationally. But at the end of the day, if my album is a blip or a flop, its gonna be okay because I love my album and one day, Im going to play it for my kids. He has come to learn that his perception of an ideal dancer isnt necessarily true. How important is your drag family? I honestly thought this was gonna be the start of a Shangela sugar daddy rant with some words changed . And Vivienne Pinay stops by for a quick cameo! You have to be incredibly strong in your mind. I would love to come back as a cameo, much like Alyssa was as a dance coach. Im one of those queens that some people like, but they dont all acknowledge what I have done, and so, I feel like this is going to be that moment. See Photos of Her Baby, Jane Fonda Regrets the Type of Mother She Was, Al's Facial Expressions on 'Today' Are Everything. Or as Edwards says, Let go and let God! And its drag, she says, thats allowed her to do so. [Photo: Johnnie Ingram/HBO]He said to me, privately, We love you here at the company, but if you ever wanted to pursue being an entertainer, and thats something youre serious about, you should go to Hollywood now,' Shangela says. It has been incredibly, overwhelmingly positive, which Im sure you know is a huge change for me! My best friend, Gia Gunn, she doesnt have one. And like I said, I survived it once, why would I throw myself back in that again? Im currently working on a few television shows right now. Going from a 23-year-old to a 29-year-old, a lot has changed, and the world is going to get to see that. And the struggle is real. JLo was beyond flattered by the top-notch queens as they marched on set . Thats what Im most excited about releasing. Alyssa Edwards and Shangela talk about what it takes to be in the House of Edwards! Not that the slate is wiped clean, but it kinda is. The only sad part for Shangela, however, is never getting a chance show Snead how far she came. However, like Dorothy on the road to Oz, Justin finds friends to assist him in his journey: his beloved granny, his biggest advocate and protector; his gay uncle, who introduces him to New York and queer culture; and his best friend and drag daughter Shangela, who, we learn, was the one who convinced Alyssa to audition for Drag Race. Shangela explains how a TGI Fridays Halloween party shaped her destiny, the hustle and grit you dont see behind the glitz of drag (including a shattered leg), and why her career is now coming full circle. She has written and performed original sketch comedy throughout the Northeast. Now, Im able to to reach a fanbase that Ive so desperately wanted to be a part of, and thats the dance community. It was at this party that the former CEO of TGI Fridays, Richard Snead, took notice of Shangela who, at that point, had been with the company for two years. Drag is art and art is subjective, which makes it even more beautiful, Edwards says. When you look at the top three, Bianca Del Rio is touring internationally and is worth two million dollars, Adore Delano has had incredible success with her music, and Courtney Act has gone on to win Big Brother. In 2020, aside from filming We're Here, Shangela met with Vice President Kamala Harris in an Instagram video. Alyssa Edwards and Shangela talk about what it takes to be in the House of Edwards! After escaping from her horrific husband, Queen Emporia and her kids must hide from his army at all costs -- even by teleporting to different planets. Its an overcast Friday afternoon in Marble Falls, Texasa smallish town about 100 miles north of San Antonioand the 39-year-old, two-time RuPauls Drag Race contestant is saddling up to do what no drag queen has ever done before: zip-line across the Lone Star states Lake Ted. I never got to do that.. And Vivienne Pinay stops by for a quick cameo! Due to popular demand, tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong are now on sale through October 29, 2023. Another character who persistently pops up along Alyssa's journey is her boldly assertive yet charmingly clueless inner diva, who not only resists the initial Season 5 casting offer from World of Wonder (due to an already busy schedule in Texas, where she owns and operates the dance studio Beyond Belief), but is also shocked when she is not the sole contestant to be brought back for All Stars' legendary Rudemption episode. . Rene Rapp says she was freaked out by her sexuality before coming out: I was in a panic, Real Housewives star Heather Dubrow introduces fans to her trans son: We love you Ace, Rebel Wilson says she collapsed after proposing to her partner Ramona Agruma. Id think, 'Well I want to wear that lavender over there.' A post shared by Alyssa Edwards (@alyssaedwards_1) She has also starred in her own Netflix docuseries Dancing Queen and snagged some snazzy sponsorship deals. Alyssa Edwards and Shangela talk about what it takes to be in the House of Edwards! I just feel, mentally, Im not ready for that, and Ill never be ready for that because its not how I operate. Apple TV It's this I'd-watch-her-read-the-phonebook star quality that makes Alyssa such a rarity these days, in an age when our newer drag stars have grown up watching, and have committed to a brand before even auditioning for the show. ! she screams a half dozen times. So if its something in your heart, you should go now.'. I never even mentioned RuPauls Drag Race, because again, I felt it would limit my appearance, and limit who I can be as a person. Alyssa Edwards rules the dance studio by day -- and the drag world by night. Marijuana helps me get my job done, stay active, and stay present in every situation. Not to mention, Shangelas injury came in the middle of a busy touring schedule, which her drag mother and fellow Drag Race alumna Alyssa Edwards was keen to stick to. I was so nervous, Im not gonna lie to you, she admits. Turning it up. At a campfire hosted an hour before Edwardss zip-lining grand entrance, campersall of whom were members or allies of the LGBTQ communitywere asked to ceremoniously let go of what held them back. Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers. No. It doesnt make you into a person who has work ethic, Shangela says. However, she delivers these lines with such Alyssa-style hilarity and aplomb that it doesn't even matter. I was just on Germanys Next Top Model, the number one rated show in the country and the amount of viewership for that is just incredible. I didnt want to give them any reason to not show my talent. Im doing so much work to show people that I dont need that. CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF's Matt De Rogatis Takes Over Our Instagram Today!