Reports indicate that Pierce was in the city during the filming of “Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate,” a 2018 comedy-drama that also starred Rachel Dratch, as well as “Drag Race” alumni Alyssa Edwards and Alaska. According to the lawsuit, following an encounter at a bar, Poff allegedly lost consciousness and later woke up in a hotel room where he was reportedly subjected to non-consensual anal penetration by an individual identified as John Doe, while Shangela was said to be present as a witness. Poff further claims that the reality TV personality also sexually assaulted him. Subsequently, Pierce reportedly sent money to Poff via PayPal following the alleged incident, as stated in Poff’s complaint. Poff is seeking a jury trial and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Eric Poff has acknowledged previous accusers of Shangela in his decision to pursue legal action.
In May 2023, Pierce faced a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and rape by Daniel McGarrigle, a production assistant on the HBO series “We’re Here,” with Buckingham Television also named as a party in the lawsuit. An investigation by the employer reportedly did not find sufficient evidence to support the claims. Pierce denied the allegations, and the matter was resolved out of court, according to reports.
In March 2024, Rolling Stone published a detailed exposé featuring five accusers, four of whom chose to remain anonymous, accusing Pierce of sexual assault or harassment. The incidents allegedly took place when the accusers were between 18 and 23 years old, with Pierce significantly older. Both McGarrigle and another accuser, Helmer, filed police reports regarding their alleged assaults.
The victims explained to Rolling Stone that coming forward was a challenging decision due to negative perceptions toward transgender individuals and drag performers. Drag performances have become a battleground in America’s cultural conflicts, particularly concerning shows involving children, which have faced criticism from right-wing groups and legislators across multiple states.
In his legal action, Poff referenced the bravery of McGarrigle and the accusers in the Rolling Stone article as influential in his decision to speak out against Pierce.
For those who have experienced sexual assault, RAINN provides support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org. Assistance is also available in Spanish at RAINN.org/es.
Contributing: Will Carless, USA TODAY
This article was first published on USA TODAY: Shangela Lawsuit: ‘Drag Race’ Star Accused of 2017 Sexual Assault
