Culture

Drag Race star Shangela appears on Ariana Grande’s new album

By Daniel Megarry

8th February 2019

© Taylor Miller for Gay Times / Press

This is the kind of glow-up we’re here for.

Shangela’s gone from popping out of boxes on RuPaul’s Drag Race to popping up on the big screen in Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s box office smash A Star Is Born. Now, she’s taking on the music charts, too. Kinda.

Fans were in for a pleasant surprise when they streamed the song NASA on Ariana Grande’s new album thank u, next, as it features a spoken word introduction by none other than the drag superstar herself.

“This is one small step for woman, one giant leap for woman-kind,” she says at the start of the song.

It’s a truly fitting intro, as the song – which is gorgeous, by the way – references NASA and space exploration as a metaphor for needing some time alone in a relationship.

“As an Ariana Grande stan, it’s mind-blowing to be a part of this new album,” Shangela wrote on Twitter.

“Gagged. Geeked. GONE. Get it now. And go in on track 3 NASA!!! I can’t wait to share how it came about. Love u Ari! (And luv u Frankie Grande too!)”

Ariana Grande’s new album thank u, next is available to purchase and stream now.