A'keria Davenport

A'keria Chanel Davenport is the stage name of Gregory D'Wayne,[1] an American drag queen best known for competing on the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. As a professional entertainer, she has won several national titles in drag pageantry systems, including Miss Black Universe in 2017.[2] Davenport was recognized by Dallas Voice as a Texan of the Year in 2019.[3]

A'keria Chanel Davenport
A'keria C. Davenport (left) and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (right) in 2019
Born
Gregory D'Wayne

Dallas, Texas, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation
Years active2011–present
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 11) contestant
Websitetheonlyakeria.com

Career
A'keria Davenport, 2019

Davenport started participating in drag pageants since 2011. Following is her pageant history:

  • Miss Unity of America Newcomer 2011 (winner)
  • Miss Wessland Newcomer 2012 (winner)
  • Miss Diamond of the South Newcomer 2012 (winner)
  • Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2013 (top 12)
  • Miss Gay Texas USofA Newcomer 2013 (1st alternate)
  • Miss International Vogue 2017 (winner)
  • Miss Black Universe 2017 (winner)

Source: OurCommunityRoots.com[4]

A'keria was announced to be one of fifteen contestants competing on season eleven of RuPaul's Drag Race on January 24, 2019.[5] In episode three, she was involved in the show's first ever six-way lip sync with Honey Davenport, Ra'Jah O'Hara, Plastique Tiara, Scarlet Envy, and Shuga Cain, which she survived.[6][7] She later lip synced again with Ra'Jah to Sheena Easton's "Strut" in episode seven.[8] She won two main challenges, in episode six and nine.[9][10] She placed 3rd/4th alongside Silky Nutmeg Ganache after losing a lip sync against Yvie Oddly, who would eventually win the season against Brooke Lynn Hytes.[11][12]

From March 26 to September 6, she was a part of the rotating cast for RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 11 Tour, presented by Voss Events and World of Wonder, and hosted by Asia O'Hara.[13] The show kicked off in Los Angeles on May 26 during the RuPaul's DragCon LA wrap party (hosted by Drag Race judge Michelle Visage) and concluded with a final bow on September 6 in New York City (also hosted by Visage) at the top of RuPaul’s DragCon NYC.[13]

A'keria was in a music video for Lizzo's "Juice" on April 17, 2019.[14] She portrayed Nicki Minaj in the music video for Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" on June 17, 2019.[15] On August 26, 2019, Davenport performed alongside Taylor Swift during her 2019 MTV Video Music Awards performance.[16]

In April 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Davenport was announced as a featured cast member for the very first Digital Drag Fest, an online drag festival for all ages, with attendees given opportunities to interact with the artists, tip them, and win prizes during the broadcast.[17]

Personal life

A'keria C. Davenport is a member of the Drag Haus of Davenport, with Drag Race alum Kennedy Davenport, Sahara Davenport, Monet X Change, Honey Davenport and Ra'jah O'Hara.[18] Her drag mom is Armani Nicole Davenport.[19] D'Wayne was living in Dallas before being accepted on Drag Race.[20] After Drag Race, D'Wayne moved to Katy.[21] He has stated that he plans to create a skincare line as well as start a charity that will provide support for transgender women and homosexual youth.[22]

D'Wayne spent almost a year of his life as a woman, until he realized he identified as a man.[23]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Contestant (3rd/4th Place) [5]
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked

Music videos
Year Title Artist Ref
2019 "Juice" Lizzo [14]
2019 "You Need to Calm Down" Taylor Swift [15]

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2019 Queen to Queen Herself With Vanessa Mateo and Silky Nutmeg Ganache [24]
Queen's Court Guest [25]
Countdown to the Crown Season 11 [26]
Whatcha Packin' Guest [27]
Cosmo Queens Cosmopolitan Series [28]
Ca$tmate$ for Ca$h Guest, with Brooke Lynn Hytes [29]

Discography
Title Year Album
"Queens Everywhere – Cast Version"[30]
(RuPaul featuring Akeria C. Davenport, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, & Yvie Oddly)		 2019 Non-album single

Awards and nominations
Year Award Giving Body Category Work Results Ref.
2019 MTV Video Music Awards Video of the Year Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" Won [31]

References
  1. "Meet the 3 Dallas queens vying for the crown on this season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". GuideLive. February 26, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  2. "'Drag Race' Queen A'Keria C. Davenport Is Season 11's Dark Horse & Here's The Proof". Bustle. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  3. "Texans of the Year: Queer locals". DallasVoice.com. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  4. admin (March 4, 2018). "A'keria Chanel Davenport". Our Community Roots. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  5. "Aquaria & Adam Rippon to Announce 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Cast in Upcoming 'Ruveal'". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  6. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Power Ranking: Episode 3". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  7. Access (April 2, 2019), 'RuPaul's Drag Race': A'keria C Davenport Says The 6-Way Lip Sync Was 'The Scariest Day' Of Her Life, retrieved May 25, 2019
  8. Sheehan, Paul (April 12, 2019). "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Was the right queen eliminated in episode 7 'From Farm to Runway'? [POLL]". GoldDerby. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  9. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Power Ranking: Episode 6". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  10. Guerra, Joey (April 26, 2019). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11: Los Angeles Drag Patrol". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  11. "Who Should Win RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11?". E!. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  12. Vulture Editors (May 20, 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11, Episode 12: We Have Thoughts". Vulture. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  13. Nolfi, Joey. "RuPaul's Drag Race sets season 11 tour dates with all 15 queens". Ew. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  14. "'RuPauls Drag Race' Queens Eat a Bunch of Fruit in Lizzo's New "Juice" Video". Spin. April 17, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  15. "Every celebrity cameo in Taylor Swift's 'You Need To Calm Down' music video". PopBuzz. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  16. "Taylor Swift Just Backed the Equality Act in VMAs Opening Performance". Pride. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  17. Dzurillay, Julia (March 28, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Take Performances Online During Their Coronavirus Self-Quarantine". CheatSheet.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  18. "The House Of Davenport Has Turned 'Rupaul's Drag Race' Season 11 into A Family Reunion". Bustle. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  19. "A'Keria C. Davenport Instagram: Her connection to the House of Davenport". Monsters and Critics. February 26, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  20. "The Last Dallas Drag Queen Standing". D Magazine. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  21. "A'keria C. Davenport says 'Drag Race' taught her to act like a fool". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  22. "A'Keria C. Davenport Loses 'Drag Race,' Moves to Houston, and Starts a Charity". D Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  23. "Three "RPDR" Queens Spent A Day At The Trevor Project, Where They Opened Up About Their Own Personal Journeys". Buzzfeed. August 26, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  24. Queen to Queen: Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, A’Keria Davenport & Silky Nutmeg Ganache | RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. May 24, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  25. Drag Race: A'Keria C. Davenport Dishes on Vanjie and Brooke Lynn's Relationship. YouTube. April 1, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  26. "Impressions" COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11. YouTube. May 21, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  27. Whatcha Packin’: A’Keria C. Davenport | Season 11 Top Four | RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. May 27, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  28. A'keria Chanel Davenport Is The Master of Colorful Eyeshadow | Cosmo Queens. YouTube. June 30, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  29. CA$TMATE$ FOR CA$H: Brooke Lynn Hytes and A'Keria C. Davenport. YouTube. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  30. "Queens Everywhere (Cast Version) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 11] - Single". iTunes.
  31. Bate, Ellie. "Taylor Swift Refused To Perform At The VMAs Unless MTV Gave All The Drag Queens In Her Video Awards Too". BuzzFeed. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
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