'Drag Race’ Star Shea Couleé Reveals How She Recovered From Season 9 Heartbreak
Shea Couleé might be the crowned winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars 5," but her journey to getting her confidence back wasn't easy after losing the crown to Sasha Velour during season 9; how did she overcome the emotional hurdle?
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Chicago-based performer, who's going to compete with seven other previously crowned winners of the show, revealed how she became stronger after opening up about her true feelings about losing to the New York City queen on her original season.
Since opening up about "the pain" she felt, Shea, said it was "really cathartic being able to speak my truth."
The drag queen said she was "unceremoniously dismissed" after all the hard work she put into it, and her recovery process wasn't that easy.
A few years later, after failing to snatch the title of America's Next Drag Superstar, RuPaul invited her back to compete for "All-Stars 5."
Upon returning, Shea allowed herself to be more vulnerable, honest, and authentic to everyone.
Regarding her genuine feelings today, the drag performer said what she did on the show took a lot of pressure off her and allowed her to have fun.
"Now I'm sitting in a place where I'm so happy that you can really take on things that make you uncomfortable and afraid and you can show people you can come out on the other side victorious."
After going back on the show, Shea received many opportunities like walking for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty fashion label and launching her line of adult beverages.
Part of her healing process is surrounding herself with her season 9 sisters, including Sasha Velour.
Shea recalled that she's been traveling across the United States for tours, and she described it as a "crazy" experience because she was so stressed.
Until one evening, she was smoking with Sasha and Farrah Moan outside the bus, and they jokingly started singing "Lucky" by Britney Spears.
The lyrics resonated with them, and they started crying out of the blue.
"We were just so bonded in that moment. I will never, ever forget that," she added.
The drag entertainer described that they are lucky in so many ways, and even though their work as drag artists is tiring and challenging at times, she was able to look at two other people who'd experienced the same struggles she faced.
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