'DWTS' Season 31: Gleb Savchenko says it's an 'honor' to 'make history' with drag queen Shangela
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Professional dancer Gleb Savchenko of 'Dancing With the Stars' is making history in Season 31 by becoming part of the first male same-sex duet — with a spin because his partner is legendary drag queen Shangela. The pair is ecstatic about what their historic collaboration will entail for the show — and the world.
Shangela will most likely be dressed in drag. In any case, there is a group of fans that are angered by the casting choice. Some 'DWTS' fans are unhappy over the pairing, swearing not to watch and blaming ABC for casting a male same-sex duo — even though the show is now streaming on Disney+. "I won’t pay Disney, not because of money but I don’t like that they’re now a ‘woke’ company. Their ethics, morale and politics are totally changed. Walt would be rolling over in his grave. Walt would be rolling over in his grave," one Facebook user remarked. "Shame on you ABC! Kids watch this show!!! Not anymore!" wrote another.
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Nonetheless, many fans claim they're tuning in only for Shangela. Shangela, a three-time 'RuPaul's Drag Race' participant and regular guest star on the show, brings a large fanbase with her, some of whom are watching 'DWTS' for the first time because of Shangela. One fan on Twitter wrote, "The way I have avoided this now lameass show for YEARS and Shangela is gonna drag me back in again. *head desk* #DWTS." Another tweet read, "I don’t even watch #DWTS but yours telling me you got a tiktok girl, a tiktok girl’s mom, a Bachelorette, No Air, Let’s Make a Deal and mf Shangela on the same season??"
The way I have avoided this now lameass show for YEARS and Shangela is gonna drag me back in again. *head desk* #DWTS https://t.co/z2wTfJ0hTq
— Coco Da Bear 🐻 #BlackLivesMatter (@CocoDaBear) September 8, 2022
I don’t even watch #DWTS but yours telling me you got a tiktok girl, a tiktok girl’s mom, a Bachelorette, No Air, Let’s Make a Deal and mf Shangela on the same season??
— a fan of many (@no1fansam) September 15, 2022
Gleb Savchenko explained why he feels privileged to go down in history with Shangela
At the Tyra Banks Posing Party at ModelLand, Gleb Savchenko and Shangela teased E! News that they were prepared to create history. The history-making moments don't stop with Shangela being the first-ever drag queen to compete on the American edition of 'DWTS,' as Gleb is just the second professional to dance with a same-sex partner, after Jenna Johnson's performance with JoJo Siwa in Season 30. Gleb also expressed to E! News how proud he is to work with Shangela to make history. "I've never danced with a male partner before, and it's definitely different, but in a good way," he remarked. "I actually enjoy our rehearsals, a lot more than I've enjoyed rehearsing in previous seasons." He said, "We've never had anyone like Shangela. So it's going to be extra, extra, extra special. In the rehearsal room, Shangela's not fully glammed up, so that change in the ballroom is going to be pretty awesome, to see the whole package."
Further, praising Shangela, Gleb described her as "super hard-working" and "a lot of fun." Even though Shangela has never danced in a ballroom before, Gleb is nevertheless enthusiastic and says, "It's just gonna be so fun."
Gleb previously stated, following the cast announcement on Good Morning America, "We're changing the world, and I love it. It's all about positive energy, all about love, and we're just going to have a lot of fun, learn to tango, learn all the ballroom steps." For Shangela, though, appearing on the show is all about visibility.
"I'm the first person to ever be able to compete in drag on Dancing with the Stars in the history of the show here," he said, "so I hope that we show people that it's all about the heart and soul of who you are as a person. It doesn't matter if it's two men dancing together, if it's a man or a drag entertainer like myself dancing together. It's about the spirit of dance and the fun, and the ability to connect and to learn more about other people's worlds." Additionally, Gleb expressed his feelings about being matched with the drag queen and 'We're Here' co-host. "I was like, 'Sign me in. I'm going to live my best life.'"
Shangela, who finished fourth in Season 3 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,' is also overjoyed. He remarked, "My jaw was literally on the floor. To be on Dancing with the Stars and growing up and just always loving dance, and then now to have this amazing platform to compete and do something, I'm living my best life, like Gleb."
When 'Dancing With the Stars' premieres live on Disney+ on September 19, fans will witness how the duo dazzles the dancefloor.
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