International Beyonce impersonator the legendary Miss Shalae on representation, self-acceptance and the future of our community
BY FATHER TREY | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
Go where you’re celebrated not tolerated. Never take anything personal because people’s rejection and perception of you has everything to do with them and nothing to do with you,” says legendary musical artist, dancer, social media personality and Instagram star Miss Shalae, in an interview with Father Trey for THE FIGHT.
The performer, who is also the founding overall mother of The Haus of Basquiat in the ballroom scene, performs around the world as an international Beyonce impersonator, sometimes completely mimicking her idol’s performances, but sometimes just using the music and mannerisms to tell her own stories.
“Miss Shalae has built herself as one of the most noted Beyoncé tribute artists in the world,” states Paper magazine. HBO Max’s Legendary star went viral in 2016 after creating the trans art collective Glass Wig Group, to recreate Beyoncé’s Lemonade featuring women of trans experience in a project titled Lemonade Served Bittersweet. They pulled that off within 16 hours. Beyoncé herself recognized Miss Shalae’s dedication to the recreations at her headlining Coachella set in 2018—in a moment now immortalized in the Netflix documentary Homecoming.
Miss Shalae also impressed Rihanna after putting on a full production at the House of Miyake-Mugler’s 2019 Return of Porcelain Ball. Competing for the historic $10,000 open-to-all face category, she brought on a team of four dancers that trained for seven days straight before the event, put them all in custom outfits, commissioned her own custom Marco Marco gown that included a series of four reveals and more. Her moment, selling her face and aura to the sounds of Sade’s Sweetest Taboo moved even Rihanna who was on the night’s judging panel.
“Listen to your higher self and follow your heart in whatever it is that makes you happy. It’s all within, be kind to yourself, speaking loving words to yourself and give yourself forgiveness.”
In an interview with Father Trey, Miss Shalae talks about representation, self-acceptance and the future of our community.
Pose has made a major impact bringing the ballroom scene to the mainstream. In your opinion, how has this shift impacted your role as a Mother of a house?
Now that ballroom is mainstream my impact as a mother has grown. I now I have influence within the cis-het community because of the new found interest of shows like POSE and Legendary .
Having recently been honored with the Icon Award, what is next for you, Shalae? [Ed. Note: The Icon award honors some of the ballroom culture’s most inspiring mothers, fathers and legends.]
The next step is to make my house, The Haus of Basquiat the ICONIC Haus of Basquiat periodT.
Looking at life now versus life in the 70s, what do you think we’ve gotten right since then and what do you think we as a community still need to improve?
We’ve gotten healthcare right and representation in mainstream media. We still need to work on discrimination when it comes to housing and employment.
A mother is often compared to/seen as a hero or role model. Many times, the designated mother is not present. You have been quite a nurturing and standing mother. What advice would you give to younger members of the LGBTQ+ community who are struggling with self-love and identity.
Go where you’re celebrated not tolerated. Never take anything personal because people’s rejection and perception of you has everything to do with them and nothing to do with you. Listen to your higher self and follow your heart in whatever it is that makes you happy. It’s all within, be kind to yourself, speaking loving words to yourself and give yourself forgiveness.
You are a respected leader of the community. So many people look up to you. How do you keep yourself humble?
Hey Siri, whats the definition of humble? … Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.
Yes I am modest because I am not boastful. However by definition I will never be humble. Self-worth is high on my list of priorities. Even if I don’t matter to no one else, I matter to myself.
You are so amazingly beautiful. I have enjoyed listening to your story and I am so honored to share it on this platform. How do you want the world to remember you?
Thank you, I guess I would say, it is not a question of how, just remember me.
