Meet the Womyn: Shanel Sherese

Shanel Sherese grew up in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia.  Her immediate family included mother, grandmother, great great grandmother and two aunts all living together under one roof.  Shanel’s childhood consisted of a slue of other cousins, aunts which doubled when her mother married her step-father when Shanel was seven.  She attended a magnet school in center city from fifth to twelfth grade and began to cultivate her passion for everything that is life.  From playing clarinet and piano to acting in plays, volleyball, roller blading and tae kwan do, to dance and acrobatics class, Shanel’s parents encouraged her to be a jill of all trade.  As a teen Shanel was silly, upbeat, athletic and curious.  The one thing that stayed consistent was her love for movies, creative writing and entertaining.  After she begrudgingly declined an acceptance to NYU Tisch for film, she attended a local Liberal Arts College to pursue exercise science, the career her family wanted.  It made sense to them from her active upbringing, but it did not satisfy her passion.  Freshman year was rough but Shanel started relaxing in her skin and living her life.  By her eighteenth birthday she was free from the expectations of others and looked inside to make herself happy.  

Feeling too stifled and unfulfilled in the Exercise and Health Promotion Industry, Shanel returned to the city to enter the Philly Drag King competition in 2011.  Since then, Shanel has not only won several awards in Drag, but her exposure on stage alone has lead to opportunities as a photographer, model and actor.  Her passion for entertainment finally returned as fulfilling activities in and around the community that accepted her first.  Shanel Sherese has regained her wholehearted, bright love of life that continues to be blessed with a supportive partner, opportunities for growth and a universe that listens to her happy song of peace.