RuPaul's Drag Race star Shangela is raring to go after being announced as a contestant for the latest series of Dancing with the Stars.
The drag queen, who was born Darius Jeremy Pierce, will partner Gleb Savchenko in the dance competition, becoming the first all-male pair in the US show's history.
In an interview with People, the star, who also co-hosted HBO's We're Here, expressed excitement at the groundbreaking news for the US version, saying: "I'm the first person to ever be able to compete in drag on Dancing with the Stars in the history of the show here.
What to Read Next
"I hope that we show people that it's all about the heart and soul of who you are as a person. It doesn't matter if it's two men dancing together, if it's a man or a drag entertainer like myself dancing together.
"It's about the spirit of dance and the fun, and the ability to connect and to learn more about other people's worlds."
Savchenko was also ecstatic at the pairing, saying: "We're changing the world, and I love it. It's all about positive energy, all about love, and we're just going to have a lot of fun."
Appearing alongside Shangela in the 31st season of the show will be The Real Housewives of Jersey's Teresa Giudice, Selma Blair and CODA star Daniel Durant.
The judging panel will consist of Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
Bruno recently confirmed that there are no plans for him to return to UK counterpart Strictly Come Dancing.
"At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated, but they're all my brothers and sisters," he said in July. "We're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings, they're great, they do a great job.
"No one knows what's going to happen in the future, but at the moment I do the American show but I can't do the travel, it's impossible."
In 2019, drag queen Courtney Act took part in the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with male professional dancer Joshua Keefe.
Last year saw JoJo Siwa become part of the US version's first same-sex couple, partnering with Jenna Johnson.
Dancing with the Stars will premiere on Disney+ in the US on September 19.
Best Entertainment and Tech Deals
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
