Shangela Strongly Denies Serious Allegations of Rape in Recent Lawsuit
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Drag performer and RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Shangela, also known as Darius Jeremy “DJ” Pierce, is facing serious allegations of rape in a recently filed lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses Shangela of sexually assaulting a former production assistant during the filming of the HBO show We’re Here.
Shangela Faces Allegations of Rape in Lawsuit
The incident is said to have taken place in a Monroe, Louisiana hotel room in February 2020, following an after-work party. The lawsuit alleges that the production assistant, Daniel McGarrigle, was provided with alcohol by Shangela and later found himself in a compromising situation where non-consensual sexual activity was attempted.
McGarrigle has filed a civil lawsuit seeking unspecified damages from Shangela and the show’s production company, Buckingham Television. Shangela has firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and claiming they perpetuate harmful stereotypes. He maintains that the lawsuit is an attempt at extortion and will not succeed.
Buckingham Television and HBO launched an investigation into the allegations after receiving a complaint from McGarrigle in July 2021. The investigation concluded with insufficient evidence to support the claims.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of this lawsuit will have important implications for Shangela’s career. It is crucial to look at the broader conversation surrounding consent and accountability. Fans, industry professionals, and the public at large will closely monitor the allegations against Shangela.
The Drag Queen Speaks Out About The Lawsuit
Shangela emphasized that an external investigation previously concluded the claims were without merit. He also regarded the newest filing as an attempt to extort him and the television company. In response to the allegations, Shangela vehemently denied them and expressed his hurt and disgust in a statement.
“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.”
Buckingham Television, the production company behind HBO’s We’re Here, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The suit includes allegations of sexual assault, gender violence, false imprisonment, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent sexual assault.
