Shea Couleé gets emotional over Naomi Campbell moment on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7 runway

Joey Nolfi
·3 min read
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From idolizing her at four years old to playing her on the season 9 Snatch Game, Naomi Campbell has played a pivotal role in RuPaul's Drag Race icon Shea Couleé's life and career — and the All Stars 5 champion finally got the chance to show off (in person) how Campbell shaped her aesthetic in an emotional moment on the upcoming All Stars 7 premiere.

"I'm trembling just thinking about it. There are few people I get starstruck around because people are people, but Naomi Campbell is a goddess. I've looked up to Naomi since I was four years old. Seeing her in Michael Jackson's ['In the Closet'] video and being like, 'Who is this powerful, beautiful, statuesque Black woman with cascading locks? Whatever she is, I want to be her,'" Shea exclusively tells EW while fighting back tears during our AS7 cover story interview, during which she remembers what it felt like to receive a runway coaching lesson from Campbell on the season premiere. "To have her sit there and see me walk and say that she'd give no notes…. To hear those words from someone like Naomi Campbell, that's one of the most affirming moments I've ever had in my life."

Shea from our roundtable (in green) with attached grab of Naomi Campbell from AS7 trailer (Paramount+/World of Wonder) thanks!
Shea from our roundtable (in green) with attached grab of Naomi Campbell from AS7 trailer (Paramount+/World of Wonder) thanks!

EW.com; Paramount+/World of Wonder Shea Couleé discusses being coached by Naomi Campbell on 'Drag Race All Stars 7'

Shea has put Campbell's influence to good use over the years, earning significant praise across season 9 and All Stars 5 for her fashion-forward sensibilities (including that jaw-dropping nude illusion bodysuit on AS5's second episode) in addition to stomping the runway for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty line in 2020.

Others were more reluctant to take the superstar's advice: "Absolutely not. She seemed ill-informed," jokes All Stars 4 winner Monét X Change when asked if she incorporated Campbell's feedback into her walk, before fellow AS4 champion Trinity The Tuck quips: "Yes, I did. She said she loved my runway walk, so I just continued that."

Season 12's Jaida Essence Hall — who also walked for Rihanna alongside Shea — admits she was too distracted by Campbell, who was "busy looking at her beautiful face and shining skin" that served "delicious" vibes on set.

RuPaul's Drag Race digital cover
RuPaul's Drag Race digital cover

Vijat M for EW Shea Couleé for EW

"I was gagged. You've heard of models making their own wind? When she did her runway walk, she was making her own wind. And that virgin hair, it was insane," Monét recalls. "She's creating that wind, but it's almost like a cross-breeze," Shea finishes. "I felt like I was being blown away, too."

Campbell joins AS7 among a crowded roster of guest stars, including one-off judges like Cameron Diaz, Daphne Guinness, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, ex-Canada's Drag Race judge Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, comedian Nikki Glaser, pop singer-songwriter Tove Lo, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, Zola filmmaker Janicza Bravo, actor Ben Platt, Ronan Farrow, and Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder, with further special appearances by Vanna White and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7 premieres May 20 on Paramount+. Watch Shea and her sisters remember meeting Campbell in the video above, and read EW's full AS7 cover story here.

Subscribe to EW's BINGE podcast for full recaps of RuPaul's Drag Race, including weekly season 14 recaps with the cast.

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