RuPaul’s Drag Race WERQ The World Tour is coming to the US this fall after a sold out 16-date European tour. Launching on October 12 in San Diego and finishing on October 29 in Chicago, this is definitely a tour we wouldn’t want to miss. Produced by Voss Events in connection with VH1 and World of Wonder, it will be hosted by Michelle Visage. There will be performances from legendary contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Alyssa Edwards, Detox, Kim Chi, Shangela, Latrice Royale, and Violet Chachki. They will be joined by season nine favourites Sasha Velour, Peppermint, Trinity Taylor, and Valentina.
“Our European audiences raved over Werq The World, and we’re thrilled to bring the exciting experience to our die-hard fans in the USA,” says Shangela. “You won’t find this unique combination of talent, production and fan interaction with any other drag tour out there.”
CelebMix got the change to talk to Shangela exclusively. She was the first queen to compete in more than one season of RuPaul’s Drag Race; where she came last in season two but returned in season three coming fifth. Since then she went on to star in Hurricane Bianca, has delved into music by releasing a few singles, and has appeared in a few music videos.
Now, she is set to go out on the US leg of WERQ The World Tour in October. CelebMix exclusively interviewed Shangela Laquifa Wadley about the tour itself, how far she’s come, her career to date, and what the future will bring.
Hi Shangela, we hope you are having a good day today. Thank you for taking the time to answer our interview questions today.
How excited are you for Werq The World Tour to hit North America in October?
I don’t think there are enough Halleloo’s in my vocabulary to express how excited I am!
Which place are you most excited to perform at?
Every audience adds a different and amazing energy to the show, so all the places we perform at will undoubtedly be lit and special. Mostly though, I’m excited to bring this tour to Houston on October 20. Our Drag Race fans in Houston have been hit hard with the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, and all of us on the tour cast want to do whatever we can to bring some smiles and entertainment to the area.
What should we expect from you during Werq The World Tour?
I personally plan to turn alllll the way UP for this tour. The entire show is a concert-style feel, and you know I’m going to bring that Beyoncé stage fire to Beyoncé’s home town.
It recently finished up in Europe, how was that for you?
It was my first time performing in a lot of the European cities, like Oslo and Berlin, but the fans made me feel right at home. I can’t wait to return.
Was there a favourite country/city you enjoyed performing at in Europe?
The tour moved so quickly that we didn’t have an opportunity to spend a lot of time in each city, but I love nightlife so, after pretty much every show, I would go out to experience how each place parties… And, let me just say, the tour bus almost left me in Berlin! They party until the sun comes up and the people were all so excited to have Drag Race fans. I think Berlin and Amsterdam were my two faves.
Out of everyone on the tour, you’re from the first few Seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, do you feel you have something to prove?
I don’t feel I have anything to prove at this point. However, I do continue to push myself and my performances really hard because I always want to continue giving my very best on stage. In the first few years after I came off Drag Race, I did feel like I needed to prove that I had grown since my time on the show. But now, I feel confident that all the work I’ve put in over the last years, on and off stage, speaks for itself. My fans know that when I show up I’m gonna deliver for them.
Last year you starred in Hurricane Bianca, what was it like to film?
Starred?!? Let’s say co-starred! I’m trying to get cast again for the sequel!!! LOL. But honestly, I had a BLAST making that film. And the best thing is that I got to work on a comedy project alongside my hilarious Drag Race sisters Bianca, Willam, Alyssa, and others. The cool thing, also, was doing the role in and out of drag. I’ve always wanted to work as an actor and this was another awesome step along the path.
What has been your highlights over the past few years?
Performing in drag on six of the seven continents… and yes, Antarctica is next. Performing alongside Miley Cyrus at the 2015 VMAs; starting my drag management business Say What Entertainment; guest starring on shows like 2 Broke Girls, Glee, and Bones; teaching Nia how to death drop on Dance Moms; and meeting so many amazing Drag Race fans who have truly touched my heart and inspired me to push harder in life.
Apart from Werq The World Tour what else can we expect from you in the future?
Y’all know since Shangela popped out of the box, she hasn’t slowed down! Touring, new music next year, we’re filming Hurricane Bianca 2 this fall, and in Fall 2018, you’ll see me in the new film A Star is Born starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Thank you… for all the love and support. And never give up on your dreams… if you believe in something and work hard to achieve it, nothing can stop you.
And, lastly, why should we come to one of the WERQ The World Tour dates?
This is the ultimate Drag Race tour loaded with some of your favorite queens who are all going to give it to the fans in a full-out production like no others. Costumes, dancers, fan interaction games, and more! Oh, baby, we are coming to WERQ!
Thank you so much for taking the time out to answer our questions, we can’t wait for WERQ The World Tour!
San Diego is the first stop on the US leg of WERQ The World Tour on October 12. There are 13 dates in total, so make sure you get your tickets while you still can.
Here are the tour dates:
Thu, Oct 12: San Diego – Spreckels Theatre
Fri, Oct 13: Los Angeles – Globe Theater
Sat, Oct 14: San Francisco – Mezzanine
Sun, Oct 15: Portland – Revolution Hall
Wed, Oct 18: Austin – Paramount Theater
Thu, Oct 19: Dallas – Majestic Theatre
Fri, Oct 20: Houston – Cullen Theater
Sat, Oct 21: Orlando – Plaza Live
Sun, Oct 22: Atlanta – Opera
Wed, Oct 25: Toronto – Halloween Edition Danforth Music Hall
Thu, Oct 26: New York – Town Hall
Sat, Oct 28: Montreal Halloween Edition – Theater Berri
Sun, Oct 29: Chicago – Metro
You can purchase tickets for this tour here; and, don’t forget to check out our interviews with Michelle Visage and Alyssa Edwards about WERQ The World Tour.