omg like, have you heard? Shangela from Drag Race is accused of sexual assaults by 5 people!! 😱 It’s like, really shady and disturbing, ew. #CancelShangela 😡💔

Five members of the LGBTQ community are accusing drag performer Shangela of sexual assault or coercion. Shangela settled a previous rape case that allegedly took place on the set of an HBO series through mediation in February.

In an article published on Monday by Rolling Stone, the five accusers share their experiences of alleged assault or coercion by Darius Jeremy Pierce, who performs as Shangela. The accusers claim that Pierce assaulted them or tried to get them intoxicated beyond the ability to give consent. All five individuals decided to come forward after HBO production assistant Daniel McGarrigle filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Pierce of drugging and raping him after a 2020 wrap party. The case was settled in mediation after two charges were dismissed. Pierce denied the allegations, stating they have no basis in fact or law.

Many of the new accusations against Pierce in the Rolling Stone article share similarities with McGarrigle’s story and each other. The accounts involve Pierce allegedly providing alcohol to young men, who were between 18 and 23 years old at the time of the alleged assaults. Several individuals claim to have woken up in Pierce’s bed in a confused state, with some mentioning the presence of another man in the room.

One of Pierce’s accusers, a 27-year-old named Helmer, filed a police report in Los Angeles in 2023 regarding an alleged assault. Helmer was 20 when he met Pierce in Los Angeles in 2017 and recalls waking up naked in Pierce’s bed after a dinner where the drag performer bought him a mojito.

The complaint stated that Helmer asked Pierce what happened the night before and why he was naked. Pierce allegedly claimed they had sex and another man was involved, but Helmer did not remember any of it.

Pierce’s attorney refuted the claims, stating that Helmer and Pierce had consensual sex with a third man they met at a bar. The attorney also denied allegations from another accuser, Edward Ramirez, who claimed Pierce shoved him to the floor in a closet in 2018 and attempted to penetrate him. The attorney claimed three people could confirm that Pierce and Ramirez were never alone together.

Another accuser, Zein Checri, said he was 18 when he met Pierce in London in 2017. After consuming drinks provided by Pierce, he found himself in Pierce’s bed feeling out of control. Pierce’s attorney stated he and Checri were not intimate, but they did consume alcohol together.

An accuser named Zachary recounted meeting Pierce in New Orleans in 2015, blacking out after drinking, and waking up to Pierce and another man. Zachary recalled hearing Shangela say to the other man, “Stick it in him,” to which he quickly said no. Pierce’s attorney claimed Zachary engaged in consensual acts before falling asleep that night.

Pierce denied ever meeting RoyLee Soliz, a fifth accuser who claimed in 2012, after being given drinks, he woke up to Pierce attempting to assault him. Pierce stated he has no recollection of meeting Soliz and has never engaged in nonconsensual sex.

Some accusers were initially hesitant to come forward with allegations against Pierce for fear of repercussions within the drag community. As drag has gained mainstream popularity through shows like Drag Race and We’re Here, some family-friendly events have faced opposition from certain groups. Speaking with the magazine, Checri expressed relief that conversations about these issues are beginning to take place.