As soon as we saw Shea Couleé hit the stage and lip sync to Azealia Banks it was ovah. It was done. We were in LOVE. But that was on a FB video and we can’t find it now. Instead here she is doing her thing to ‘Grown Woman’ – you get the idea, she is THE BOSS.

How long have you been doing drag?
It will be three years in July.

Which women have influenced your look?
All of the legendary black glamazons. I love Naomi Campbell, Beyonce, Grace Jones, Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, and Paula Kelly in ‘Sweet Charity’

How did you decide on her name?
My middle name is Kyei, (pronounced ‘SH-AY’) which is Swahili for ‘Beautiful Boy’. That’s what my mom calls me, so I wanted a name that felt familiar. And then Couleé applies a sense of rhyme. It’s French (sounding) and I say Shea’s equal parts bourgi and banji.

How are you involved in Neverland?
I collaborate with Neverland on several different levels. But mostly as a host and Performer. It’s so great to be a part of the Neverland family. The creators Anthony DiFiore and Martin Damien are creating one of the most successful premiere party’s on the circuit. It is so nice to see how fast the brand is growing and taking Chicago by storm. Our Olympics themed Pride Party featuring Dj’s Ivan Gomez of Spain, and Mexico’s Alex Acosta was our BIGGEST party yet. The production value was topnotch with a two story light up dance structure featuring some of the hottest gogo boys, and Drag Queen hosts like Kim Chi, Trixie Mattel, and Trannika Rex.

What’s the Chicago scene like?
The Chicago scene is really great. It’s a breeding ground for a lot of great artwork. Chicago is a super collaborative city, and there are so many crossovers between many artistic markets like Theatre and Fashion. You get to see Drag in so many ways outside of the bars and clubs in Boystown. So there are so many ways to experience drag on different platforms. This city is great for cultivating well-rounded Drag queens.

Have you auditioned for RuPaul’s Drag Race?
I feel like that’s always question a queen gets when it comes to the game of Drag. I can say I’m interested in being a contestant on the show. I’m just being coy about any involvement with projects that have lawyers that make you sign contracts just to audition. Also I think for any smart girl, you need to know how to hustle keeping in mind that the show may not always be around as a platform.

Drag is very ‘in’ right now. Do you feel the need to constantly up your game?
Oh, TOTALLY. I am constantly thinking about how I can top myself, and push myself further and further to become a more polished persona and brand. I’m working on some music right now, which you can find on soundcloud, and brainstorming video projects as well. I just want to get exposure in all different types of media, because you never know who’s watching.

What has been your favourite performance so far?
I would have to say it would have to have been my performance for the finals of Roscoe’s Tavern Drag Race competition. It’s a staple in the Chicago community, because it’s one of the longest running amateur drag contests in Chicago. It’s where a lot of girls get their start if they wanna be seen by a lot of the bookers who are keeping their eye out for new talent. It was judged by Michelle Visage, Alaska, and some blonde Absolut rep. It was a full-on production complete with two AMAZING dancers Po’Chop and Shalease. A costume change, wig change, wind machine, laser light display, and confetti cannon. All of that courtesy of the boys at Neverland. It was AMAZING. The energy in that room was pulsating, people were screaming and cheering the entire time – I mean the room was LIT. And the cheering that followed the end of the performance was the most loved I ever felt. I LOVE performing. It’s where I feel most alive and in tune with myself. So when people are screaming for you, as a performer they’re saying ‘I love you.’ I never felt like such a superstar. I slayed my way all the way to second place that night. It was a bummer, but I just kept my head up and no more than two months later I was hosting my own Wednesday night show at Hydrate nightclub called #FACE!

Favourite song to perform to? 
It would have to be Azealia Banks ‘Van Vogue.’ I just totally fall into my cunt on that song. I feel invincible when I’m performing it.

Will Azealia Banks ever have another hit?
Funny you should ask. I’m rooting for her, but God only knows. I feel like she’s burned bridges with people because she has a stank attitude sometimes. But I feel like if she concentrates on the music and doesn’t come for everybody on Twitter, she’ll be alright. I like her flow. She spits mad rhymes on those house beats. I loved 1991. It was cute to me.

Photo by Fhierce Fhinder

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