Who is A'keria Chanel Davenport? 'RPDR' star worked with Taylor Swift and Lizzo
When it comes to taking on the stage of 'All Stars', the challenges are as tough as they get and the stakes are higher than ever. But for Akeria Chanel Davenport, the pageant queen who dances, sews, acts and has fantastic comedic timing, 'All Stars' Season 6 might just prove to be her biggest gig.
Season 13 saw queens Symone, Rose, Kandy Muse and Gottmik make it to the top. Now, with 'All Stars' Season 6 here, it's time to see what the past queens have in store for fans.
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Who is A'keria Chanel Davenport?
Gregory D'Wayne, who goes by the stage name A'keria Chanel Davenport, is a drag queen, a pageant queen and a performer who starred on Season 11 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Before joining the show, D'Wayne lived in Dallas, where the drag queen was raising her nephew.
She belongs to Drag Haus of Davenport
A'keria Chanel Davenport is a member of the Drag Haus of Davenport. Her drag mom is Armani Nicole Davenport. Other members of the Davenport Haus are 'Drag Race' alum Kennedy Davenport, Sahara Davenport, Monet X Change, Honey Davenport and Ra'jah O'Hara.
She's a seasoned pageant queen
Davenport has a long list of pageant participation and wins. She's been crowned Miss Unity of America Newcomer 2011, Miss Wessland Newcomer 2012, Miss Diamond of the South Newcomer 2012, Miss International Vogue 2017 and Miss Black Universe 2017. She was also recognized as Texan of the Year in 2019 by the Dallas Voice.
She's starred in multiple music videos
Davenport was featured in Lizzo's music video for 'Juice', alongside a number of other drag queens and the artist herself. She also portrayed Nicki Minaj in Taylor Swift's 'You Need to Calm Down' video. She then went on to perform alongside Swift at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
Davenport has plans for some interesting ventures
In a conversation with Billboard, Davenport expressed her desire to start a skincare brand and a funeral home. "I actually have some upcoming projects that I'm working on, some business interests coming up, some charities that I'm working on, so that’s what I’m definitely excited for. If you don't know, I'm really big on skincare, so I’m actually trying to get my foot wet with a lot of skincare products and get into that field." she said. "So many people focus on the beauty products and cosmetics, but you gotta have that canvas right first! Also, many people don't know this, but I want a funeral home!" she added.
She went to explain why she felt the need for the same. "I want a funeral home. I'm also talking to charities who help transgender women and youths in the LGBTQ+ community," she added, seeing that she lived for a year as a woman when out of drag, until she realized she identified as a man (Gregory D'Wayne was born male and currently identifies as the same).
"There's a lot of children who are out here who don't know the way, or they’re beating themselves up because of something they don't fully understand, and it's not helping when their bully or their family neglects them at that point. So even if it's just making sure we have counselors or somebody they can talk to, or a phone number that they can call, how to deal with bullying or how to deal with what it is that you're going through and not fully understanding about yourself," she added.
'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 6 premieres on Paramount+ on June 24, 2021.