SHEA COULEE WANTS YOU TO WEAR WHATEVER MAKES YOU FEEL THE CUNTIEST
Shea Coulee is THE baddest drag star you may ever come across. Winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Allstars in Season 5, a musician, podcaster – and that’s just a few things you can expect from Shea Coulee. We got the chance to catch up with everything Shea Coulee has going on and to learn all about her extraordinary journey!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
Tell us about the early days of Shea Couleé. What was the most unexpected experience you had when you were starting out?
The early days of Shea Couleé were definitely trial and error. You’re learning so much about all of the details that go into performing in drag. I would say one of the least expected things that happened was when I was doing a performance at an amateur competition, and I tried to do a back handspring on stage without thinking about the fact that I was wearing lace gloves. My hands completely slipped out from under me, and I crashed into the audience. That’s when I realized that maybe I should not do stunts anymore on stage, especially in lace gloves.
You have a new song, “DIVINE,” remixed by Initial Talk. Is this part of a bigger project that you’re working on, and can you tell us more about the song and what fans can expect from your upcoming projects?
“DIVINE” with Initial Talk is just a dream come true because I’ve been a fan of their work and remixes for so many years, and for me, it’s an opportunity to continue expanding upon my sounds. It’s laying the foundation for how I want to get back in the studio and continue writing. Those are the biggest plans that I have as of now. There was a piece of me that wanted to put out a bigger musical project, but one thing that I’ve learned is it’s really important to be allowed the process and love it. So, I’m spending time right now writing and just seeing where the spirit takes me.
Tell us about collaborating with Pol Kurucz on the photoshoot.
It was really, really incredible getting the chance to collaborate with Pol. I’ve been a fan of their work for such a long time and he has such an incredible eye for detail and a strong vision. Collaborating with him was so much fun and I cannot wait to do it again.
What does celebrating Pride Month mean to you? And can you tell us about this year’s looks?
Celebrating Pride for me is about really honoring all the sacrifices that our queer ancestors made on our behalf. Visibility is so important, and it’s just great to be able to see so many younger people in the LGBTQ+ community come out and find their community and see themselves represented and reflected in so many positive ways.
My Pride looks this year are about incorporating the colors of the Progress Rainbow Flag. I had a really great Progress Rainbow Flag dress that I designed and was made by my good friend Viktor Luna. I realized I didn’t have anything like that in my wardrobe. And then performance-wise for my Pride Festival sets, I collaborated with my friend Joshuan Aponte, and we did a really fun electric Lisa Frank Rainbow Monarch butterfly concoction that you just have to see to believe.
We live for your iconic fashion style. How would you describe your fashion philosophy?
My fashion philosophy is to wear whatever makes you feel the cuntiest. And it’s just as simple as that.
Can you talk to us about your groundbreaking tour, “The Love Ball,” how you came up with the idea, and what your overall experience touring the show has been like?
I wanted to create a space for drag queens who are also musicians to be able to almost have a festival-like stage and projection to do the ultimate Ru Girl-produced Rusical you’ve ever seen. It is so incredibly amazing to be able to work with such talented queens that I respect and to be able to come together as a collective and create such an immersive, memorable experience for the fans. I feel like from the feedback that we’ve received, it really was noticed how much heart and thought, and detail went into creating this experience.
What advice has your mother given to you that you will never forget?
So many things. There are so many lessons from her; she’s the type of person who really leads by example. Oh, a great piece of advice would be to always put sour cream in your pound cake, because that’s what makes it moist.
What is your signature scent?
Right now because it’s summer, I’m obsessed with Margiela’s ‘REPLICA’ From the Garden, which is a combination of gardenia and tomato leaf.
You recently worked with G-star Raw and The Nightmare Disorder on creating the “Trophy Gown” for their Denim Drags campaign. Can you tell us a little bit about your inspiration for the gown?
I wanted to pay homage to early 2000s John Galliano when he was designing for Dior because that was when I really started falling in love with fashion. When The Nightmare Disorder had presented concepts and they wanted to do a big trophy gown, I said, “I know exactly the direction that I want to go with that.” They were on board, and it all came together very seamlessly.
What is your current favorite song to lip sync to?
My current favorite song to lip sync to would have to be “Alter Ego” by Doechii and JT, with “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter being a close second.
Tell us about your time on ‘Abbott Elementary.’
It really was a “pinch me moment,” a real ten out of ten experience. I was truly blown away by how dedicated Quinta and the entire team are to creating an extremely fun and safe environment for people to be their best selves and make people laugh. It was great that it was the Mother’s Day episode. My mom watched it, and she was super proud. Her friends at church who love ‘Abbott Elementary’ were all really excited about it. It was a really, really great moment.
Which newer drag queens from recent seasons of Drag Race do really like and why?
I really, truly love Luxx Noir London. She’s such an incredibly talented queen, and I really, really enjoyed working with her on The Love Ball. I’m excited to do it again. I love, love, love her music. She’s got great taste and wonderful style.
I also really enjoy Miss Nymphia Wind. The way that she creates all of her couture by hand is so impressive.
For anyone wishing to one day compete in a drag competition, what advice do you have for them?
It sounds corny, but truly, stay true to yourself. Always stand ten toes down firm in what you believe in and what your heart tells you and you can never go wrong.
Are there any recent beauty products that you can’t live without?
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops.
What’s coming up for you the rest of the year?
You can catch me and Monét X Change, Jaida Essence Hall, Luxx Noir London, and LaLa Ri at The Love Ball Los Angeles on July 19th at The Belasco, as well as RuPaul’s Dragcon. You can expect to see me on the Murray & Peter’s Christmas Tour. Other than that, I will be writing, working on music and further developing some other projects that are in the works.
Hair:@prestonwada , Wig: @wigchapel
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Pol Kurucz (@polkurucz)
Creative Direction: Pol Kurucz and Dylan Allen Todd (@dylan_allen_todd)
Makeup: Shea Coulee
Stylist: Miranda Monroe (@mirandamonroe.xo)
Styling Assistant: Carley Sullivan (@carleysullivan), bracelet via Lidow Archive
Hairstylist: Preston Wada (@prestonwada)
Wig: Wig Chapel (@wigchapel)
Nails: Kirsta Jones (@krista_la_creme)
Art Department: Krystall Schott (@Krystallschott), Bryant (@rainwata)
Comp, Retouch, Digital Art:Elian Sanchez (@eliansanchezz)
Lighting: Luc-Richard (@lrismyname) , Kaveh (@kaveh.polytropix)
Computer Graphics: Leandro Oliveira (@leandrooliveira3d) , Padovani Studio (@padovanistudio)
BTS Videos: Emma Lehr (@ammerhel)
Creative Assistant: Gabby Lovazzano (@gamecrusherpresents)
Creative Agency: Early Morning Riot (@earlymorningriot)
