A'keria Chanel Davenport is the stage name of Gregory D'Wayne, 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. Davenport was recognized by Dallas Voice as a Texan of the Year in 2019.
Career
Davenport started participating in drag pageants since 2011. Following is her pageant history:
Source: OurCommunityRoots.com A'keria was announced to be one of fifteen contestants competing on season eleven of RuPaul's Drag Race on January 24, 2019. In episode three, she was involved in the shows first ever six-way lip sync with Honey Davenport, Ra'jah O'Hara, Plastique Tiara, Scarlet Envy, and Shuga Cain, which she survived. She later lip synced again with Ra'Jah to Sheena Easton's "Strut" in episode seven. She won two main challenges, in episode six and nine. 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. 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. The show kicked off in Los Angeles on May 26 during the RuPaul's DragCon LA wrap party and concluded with a final bow on September 6 in New York City at the top of RuPaul’s DragCon NYC. A'keria was in a music video for Lizzo's "Juice" on April 17, 2019. She portrayed Nicki Minaj in the music video for Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" on June 17, 2019. On August 26, 2019, Davenport performed alongside Taylor Swift during her 2019 MTV Video Music Awards performance. 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.
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. Her drag mom is Armani Nicole Davenport. D'Wayne was living in Dallas before being accepted on Drag Race. After Drag Race, D'Wayne moved to Katy. 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. D'Wayne spent almost a year of his life as a woman, until he realized he identified as a man.
