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United States Shea Couleé has transitioned from a renowned drag queen to a multifaceted entertainer, having achieved significant recognition in television, music, and activism.
Shea Couleé partnered with the cannabis drink company Green Monké, teaming up with Our Academy, a non-profit focusing on mentorship and education for youth.
Couleé collaborated with Goose Island Beer Co. to launch her own beer, 'Shea Coul-Alé.' The success of this partnership led to the re-release of 'Shea Coul-Alé: Royal Edition,' and Goose Island was noted as the first beer brand to partner with a Drag All Star. A portion of the profits was dedicated to LGBTQ+ supporting organizations.
Shea Couleé partnered with The Quiet Girl Shoppe, a Black woman-owned business, to launch beauty products, including custom bar soap called '$100,000 bar.'
Shea Couleé was featured as part of Lush's "Merry DRAGMas" Campaign, alongside other Drag Race alumni.
Jaren Kyei Merrell, known professionally as Shea Couleé, was born on February 8, 1989, in Warsaw, Indiana, and later raised in Plainfield, Illinois. The youngest of five children, Couleé’s early life included a mother who was a minister and participation in theater from age nine. They pursued formal education in costume design, graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2011. During their time at Columbia, Couleé actively engaged in theatrical productions, performing in ‘Ten Square’ and serving as the lead designer for Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale.’ These formative experiences laid a foundation for a career that would blend theatricality with a unique artistic vision. Couleé started their drag career in 2012.
Couleé gained international prominence in 2017 after competing on season nine of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ ultimately securing a top-four placement. Their performance as Naomi Campbell in the Snatch Game challenge garnered public approval from Campbell herself. The following year, Couleé launched ‘Call Me Couleé,’ a web series that chronicled their life post-‘Drag Race.’ In 2020, Couleé returned to the franchise, winning the fifth season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,’ an achievement that further solidified their status in the drag community. They subsequently competed in the all-winners seventh season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ in 2022, again reaching the top four. Throughout their career, Couleé has maintained a strong presence in music, releasing their debut EP ‘Couleé-D’ in 2017 and their debut album ‘8’ in 2023, which topped the iTunes dance album charts. Their work has extended into acting, with a notable casting as Slug in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ series ‘Ironheart,’ set for release in 2025. Couleé has also used their platform for activism, advocating for racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights, endorsing political figures, and participating in the Drag March for Change.
Beyond their on-screen and musical endeavors, Couleé has engaged in various tours, including Werq the World and Haters Roast. They have authored articles for publications such as Metro and secured a talent agency signing with United Talent Agency in 2021. Further brand collaborations include a cannabis-infused soda with Green Monké and a beer with Goose Island Brewery, which generated funds for LGBTQ+ organizations. Couleé’s entrepreneurial spirit is also evident in their collaboration with The Quiet Girl Shoppe to launch a bar soap. Their influence is also marked by inspiring the creation of Marvel’s first drag queen superhero, Shade, and accumulating over 1.5 million Instagram followers. Couleé identifies as gay and non-binary, using singular ‘they’ pronouns out of drag and ‘she’ and ‘her’ while in drag, and is actively involved in mentoring drag daughters through Maison Couleé.
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