A drag queen star contestant of RuPaul’s “Drag Race” show was accused of raping a production assistant after a crew party in 2020.
The accusations were reported from a lawsuit against Darius Jeremy Pierce, a man who performs under the stage name Shangela.
Daniel McGarrigle filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday according to the Los Angeles Times.
The victim alleges that Pierce bought drinks for the crew at the party many times, including McGarrigle. He then allegedly invited McGarrigle back to his hotel room to help him pack for an early morning flight.
The lawsuit says McGarrigle fell asleep fully dressed in Pierce’s hotel room in Louisiana. When he awoke, he claims that his pants had been pulled down and Pierce was trying to penetrate him.
McGarrigle said that he yelled “no” in protest and tried to fight him off but was allegedly overpowered.
“I know you want it, and you’re going to take it,” Pierce is alleged to have replied.
“I tried to fight him off, but I was weak and he was stronger than me, and he held me down,” McGarrigle said in a Zoom interview with the Times.
The lawsuit against Pierce alleges sexual assault, gender violence, false imprisonment, and sexual harassment.
Pierce issued a lengthy response through his attorney passionately denying the allegations.
“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,” he said in part.
“An external investigation into this embittered individual’s claims previously concluded that they were completely without merit,” Pierce continued. “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.”
Here’s an interview with Shangela:
Shangela Talks About Being on “Dancing With the Stars”www.youtube.com
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