‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Shangela Slams Sexual Assault Allegations After Being Accused Of Drugging & Raping Production Assistant: ‘I’m Disgusted’

Shangela

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Shangela Slams Sexual Assault Allegations After Being Accused Of Drugging & Raping Production Assistant: ‘I’m Disgusted’

A former contestant from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is facing some serious accusations.

According to reports, Darius Jeremy “DJ” Pierce, who doubles as drag queen Shangela, was recently hit with a lawsuit for allegedly sexually assaulting a TV production assistant.

The plaintiff in the suit is reportedly 39-year-old Daniel McGarrigle, who claims the incident took place in 2020 while filming HBO’s reality series “We’re Here.” Reportedly, the former network employee claims that Pierce was overly aggressive with him during the show’s wrap party, insistently buying him drinks. McGarrigle reportedly claims that this was done despite Pierce knowing he didn’t drink often.

Subsequently, the two reportedly went back to Pierce’s hotel room to help him pack for an early flight when McGarrigle became sick. Pierce asked if he wanted to lay down on the bed, to which McGarrigle says he agreed, noting in the legal papers:

“Sick and exhausted, McGarrigle agreed. He laid down in Pierce’s bed fully clothed, shoes and socks still on,”

The television professional says when he came to, he realized Pierce was attempting to sexually assault him, and “overpowered” him in his weak state. Additionally, McGarrigle is accusing Pierce of pouring poppers on him before the assault occurred, which is a drug that is “sometimes inhaled by gay men before engaging in intercourse.”

Following the allegations going public, Pierce put out a statement vehemently denying the claims.

Labeling the suit “disgusting” and “dangerous,” the entertainer reportedly told People:

“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. An external investigation into this embittered individual’s claims previously concluded that they were completely without merit. This newest filing is nothing but an attempt to shake down both me and a well-regarded television company. No one should be fooled: it has no basis in fact or in law, and it will not succeed.”

DJ Pierce

Adding:

“As a hardworking and outspoken drag entertainer for more than a decade, I know that I am far from alone in battling ignorance, bigotry and prejudice, all of which played a role in the filing of this complaint. That is why I will fight this entirely meritless lawsuit and not allow it to destroy me and those I love, or harm the causes we all stand for,”

Reportedly, HBO did indeed conduct an investigation into the situation when they received the complaint the following year. McGarrigle reportedly says he didn’t report the incident immediately out fearing he’d lose his job. The official statement from the network states:

“Buckingham Television, the production company for ‘We’re Here,’ received a complaint late summer 2021 regarding an incident that was alleged to have occurred in early 2020. Buckingham and HBO take the safety and well-being of personnel on our shows very seriously, and Buckingham immediately launched an investigation. The investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support these allegations.”

It seems McGarrigle is now seeking the court’s involvement for an unspecified amount in damages.

Pierce is facing charges of sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, false imprisonment and negligence. Additionally, he is accused of violating the Ralph Act, which forbids hate violence as well as intimidation by threats of violence under California law.

[VIA]

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