Drag Race star Shangela, known offstage as Darius Jeremy ("DJ") Pierce, has firmly denied the recent allegations of sexual assault brought against him. This follows the resolution of a previous lawsuit in early 2024.
On February 24th, Eric Poff, also known as Dakota Payne, initiated a civil lawsuit against Pierce in New York’s Supreme Court. According to reports, Poff alleges that Pierce sexually assaulted him during the filming of "Hurricane Bianca 2" in October 2017. Poff, who was working as a production assistant at the time, claims that after an evening of drinking with Pierce, his drink was spiked. Upon regaining consciousness, he alleges that he found himself being assaulted by Pierce and an unidentified man in a hotel room.
Pierce has categorically denied these allegations. In a statement posted on Instagram on February 25th, he described the lawsuit as "baseless" and stated that he has been wrongly accused.
Shangela's Response
In his Instagram post, Pierce expressed the challenges of facing false accusations, stating, "Being falsely accused in the most heinous ways is very difficult to endure. I’m advised to stay silent, and I’m doing my best to continue on without engaging in a back and forth with dishonest people seeking money or a moment. ‘It’s not worth it,’ I tell myself."
He emphasized that none of the allegations against him have been substantiated, yet the impact on his career, reputation, and family has been significant. Pierce highlighted the personal toll these accusations have taken, and he vowed to continue fighting with the truth, asserting his belief that ultimately, justice will prevail.
Past Allegations
These new claims come on the heels of previous accusations against Pierce. In 2023, Daniel McGarrigle, another former production assistant, accused Pierce of rape in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles. Pierce denied the allegations, and McGarrigle ultimately dropped the case in January 2024, with a settlement reached the following month.
Furthermore, a March 2024 investigative report by Rolling Stone outlined five additional allegations of sexual assault against Pierce, dating from 2012 to 2018. Pierce has denied all these allegations as well.
Support for Survivors
The issue of sexual violence is a pervasive problem, and organizations such as Rape Crisis England and Wales provide resources for those affected. Their website offers more information, and they can be reached through the National Rape Crisis Helpline at 0808 802 9999. Meanwhile, Rape Crisis Scotland operates a helpline at 08088 01 03 02.
In the United States, readers are encouraged to reach out to RAINN or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 for support and resources.
These recent developments highlight the ongoing conversation around sexual assault within the entertainment industry. As these cases unfold, they continue to spark discussions on topics of accountability, justice, and support for survivors.
Shangela’s statement reflects his determination to defend his reputation and to present his side of the story. As the legal process continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the truth emerges and that justice is served for all parties involved.
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