Shea Couleé sashayed their way into the hearts of millions when they joined the cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9 in 2017. Despite a devastating loss in the finale to the season’s eventual winner, Sasha Velour, Couleé was later invited to return to the series for “All Stars 5,” where they snatched the crown, a $100,000 grand prize, and a coveted spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame.”
Since their time on “Drag Race,” Couleé has starred in music videos for artists like Iggy Azalea, launched their own beer, Shea Coul-Alé, and even performed as part of Rihanna’s “Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol. 2.”
Most recently, the 36-year-old drag artist was announced to be joining the cast of “Ironheart,” the latest limited-series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now, with less than a week left until the series is set to make its Disney+ premiere on June 24, Couleé has shared a first look at their “fierce hacker” character.
What is Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ Series About?
“Ironheart” will continue the story of young inventor and genius, Riri Williams. Portrayed by Dominique Thorne, Williams, who goes by the superhero alias, Ironheart, made her MCU debut in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
The forthcoming series will follow Williams as she returns to her home city of Chicago after the events of “Black Panther.” In pursuit of re-creating her Iron-Man inspired super-suit, Williams finds herself “wrapped up with the mysterious and charming” Parker Robbins, a.k.a “The Hood,” played by Anthony Ramos. Together the pair, alongside other cast members like Natalie Washington (Lyric Ross), Alden Ehrenreich (Hoe McGillicuddy) and Matthew Elam (Xavier Washington), will discover secrets that “pit technology against magic.”
The series will air its premiere episode on June 24, with its remaining three episodes following on July 1. “Ironheart” will mark the official end of Phase 5 of the MCU, with Phase 6 set to begin when “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” hit theaters on July 25.
Couleé Will Play a ‘Fierce Hacker’ with a Shady Drag Past
Shea Couleé was first announced to be joining the “Ironheart” cast in August 2022. When the series was first in development, fans speculated that the “All Stars 5” star would be playing the role of Shade.
Also known as Darnell Wade, Shade first appeared in “Ice Man #4” in 2018. Created by Marvel Comics writer Sina Grace, Shade is a Brooklyn-based drag artist that pulls his inspiration from New York’s mightiest superheroes. Over the course of his appearance in the issue, Shade, now known as Darkveil, unlocks his mutant powers – the ability to teleport with a ‘thwack’ of his fan.
Marvel Comics/GettyShea Couleé was reportedly the original inspiration for the character, so it was no surprise when fans assumed they would be playing Shade/Darkveil when they were announced for the “Ironheart” cast.
However, Couleé seems to have debunked these theories with a first look at their character, Slug, a “really fierce hacker” with a “shady” drag past.
“From my understanding, this version of Slug [Marvel’s] presenting is someone who’s being referred to as a code name,” said Couleé in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I don’t want to give too much of their backstory away. They need an alternative code name to go by because there could or could not be some people looking for them.”
Speaking on the role Slug will play in “Ironheart,” Couleé told EW, “I help a group of urban Robin Hoods to take away from the privileged and help give back to the community. I’m there to help out on all the missions that go down, trying to shift this power dynamic in this version of Chicago we see in the show.”
The “Drag Race” legend similarly revealed that Slug’s backstory will include a shady drag history.
“They’ve kind of left drag,” spilled Couleé. “They are a drag queen, but it’s kind of a past life. You see them in drag, but it’s kind of in the context of flashbacks before where they are now, because they’re trying to be on the low-low!”
While much of Slug’s history, including their sordid drag past, will remain a mystery until “Ironheart” debuts next week, Couleé has confirmed that they will be turning out fierce looks on the forthcoming series, telling EW: “You will be seeing the diva in some looks.”
Catch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Shea Couleé in Marvel’s “Ironheart” when it makes its Disney+ debut on Tuesday, June 24.
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‘Drag Race’ Star Reveals Who They’ll be Playing in Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’