Drag
Beyoncé Just Posted Shangela’s Performance of ‘Before I Let Go’

Nothing but respect for our "first drag queen to walk the red carpet at the Oscars."
May 03 2019 12:14 PM EST
May 26 2023 1:44 PM EST
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Nothing but respect for our "first drag queen to walk the red carpet at the Oscars."
Looks like Beyonce has a new favoriteprofessional drag queen.
On Thursday, with the world honestly still reeling from her Homecoming documentary, the multi hyphenate world renowned star took to Instagram Stories to post new clips of people participating in the #BeforeILetGoChallenge. The challenge itself was spurred by Beyonce's rendition of the 1981 track "Before I Let You Go," which she released as a bonus track to Homecoming: The Live Album. In her updated version, she gives instructions for a line dance, but with no official video, fans have been left to improvise.
Shangela took that challenge to Jeffrey Sanker's White Party grand stage in Palm Springs on Sunday. After an intro montage featuring some of her clips from RuPaul's Drag Race as well as Destiny's Child's "Survivor," the All Stars 3 contestant opened up the show performing to her song "Werqin' Girl," as well as mixes that included Cardi B's "Money," a sample of Mercedes Iman Diamond viral "opalence!" clip (Diamond makes a quick appearance on stage.) as well as Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money." The latter mix brought out a short vogue breakdown in choreography.
But for the second part of the performance, Shangela, who is a long time Beyonce fan, performed "Before I Let Go." It's this clip that caught Beyonce's attention and made it to her Instagram Stories. It was one in a slew of clips that the star posted, but certainly isn't the first time the Queen recognized this fellow queen.
At the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles in March, Shangela put on a tribute to Bey of the star's own music. She did so well that she brought Beyonce to her feet. According to Shangela, she was so impressed that after the performance, backstage she said that she might steal some of the drag queen's transitions. High praise.
Hopefully all this gets Beyonce to film a video of her doing the official choreo to "Before I Let Go." Watch all of Shangela's performance -- which included "Kitty Girl -- below.
RELATED | Shangela Talks Being the First Drag Queen at the Oscars
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