RuPaul’s Drag Race Icon Shea Couleé's Drag Daughters Drop ‘Couleé’ Surname

Shea Couleé has achieved international recognition as a drag performer, artist, and advocate, attaining legendary status after competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine and returning for All Stars seasons five and seven. Shea’s drag house, Maison Couleé, was known for its close-knit family structure, including drag daughters Kenzie Couleé, Bambi-Banks Couleé, and Khloe Couleé, who were all publicly acknowledged as part of her chosen family.

On September 4, 2025, PinkNews reported that all three of Shea Couleé’s drag daughters appear to have ‘disowned’ her by dropping the ‘Couleé’ surname, a move that has rapidly become a topic of debate and speculation within drag and LGBTQ+ circles. The decision was made public through updated social media handles and performance credits, where Kenzie, Bambi-Banks, and Khloe now perform without any reference to ‘Couleé’ in their stage names.

The act of removing a drag surname carries significant weight in the drag community. Drag families, often formed by mentorship and shared identity, are pillars of support and tradition. By dropping the ‘Couleé’ surname, the three performers are signaling a meaningful change in their relationship with Shea and the house’s legacy.

The news has prompted a variety of responses across social media, with fans and fellow performers expressing both support and concern for all parties involved. Chosen family—an essential concept within LGBTQ+ culture—is at the heart of the discussion. For many queer people, especially transgender people, drag families offer guidance and protection in the absence of biological family acceptance.

Some community members have pointed to the importance of respecting individual autonomy within drag families, emphasizing that performers should be free to redefine their public identities as their personal journeys evolve. Others have expressed sadness over the apparent rupture, noting Shea’s historic mentorship and advocacy for emerging drag talent.

As of publication, Shea Couleé has not made a public statement directly addressing the split. Shea remains active in the entertainment industry, continuing to tour, create music, and participate in public discourse around LGBTQ+ issues. Shea’s artistic output and public persona have been marked by resilience and advocacy, including speaking openly about personal struggles and the importance of mental health within the queer community.

The tradition of drag surnames and houses is deeply rooted in LGBTQ+ history, echoing ballroom culture and the need for chosen kinship. Surnames like ‘Couleé’ have come to represent not just artistic lineage, but also a shared ethos and support network. When drag daughters choose to step away from the house name, it can reflect a desire for independence, artistic evolution, or personal disagreement, though the specifics in this case remain unconfirmed.

Shea Couleé’s legacy as a performer and mentor remains significant, and the story of Maison Couleé’s transformation will likely continue to resonate through drag and LGBTQ+ spaces worldwide.