Canada’s Drag Race star comes out as trans: ‘Something was missing’
Canada’s Drag Race star Aimee Yoncé Shennel has come out as trans (@aimeeyonce/ Instagram)
Canada's Drag Race star Aimee Yoncé Shennel has come out as trans (@aimeeyonce/ Instagram)
Canada’s Drag Race star Aimee Yoncé Shennel has come out as trans, celebrating ‘this new chapter’ in sweet social media posts.
As Kerri Colby once said on the topic of RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni coming out as trans after appearing on the show: “Another one, thank you”.
Aimee Yoncé Shennel, who appeared on Melinda Verga Canada’s Drag Race‘s fourth season in late 2023 and early 2024, has become the latest to join the ranks of Drag Race dolls, in several sweet social media posts.
Posted to Instagram yesterday, Aimee wrote atop a carousel of the queen in pink, white and blue that she felt a “los[s] of identity” and “need of freedom” after appearing on Drag Race, resulting in the decision to transition.
“A woman has [been] born,” Aimee wrote. “It took me over 10 years for me to make this decision but 6 months ago I decided to stop suffering… 6 months ago I opened my arms and I welcomed this Beautiful woman who was imprisoned inside me.
“I won’t deny that I was very scared because I knew it would be a life changing and to be honest I didn’t want to face the consequences… it was simply easier to be a gay man and not have to face the hatred and rejection that the trans community experiences everyday but something was missing, something was wrong.”
The Ottawa-based star, who placed 7th on her season, continued: “After [Canada’s] Drag Race I lost my identity and this need of freedom was more intense.
“This past 6 months I just wanted to focus on myself and enjoy the process and yesterday I felt ready to share this with the world [and] to be honest these months have been the best of my life.”
Aimee added: “I am free… I am my true self… And I am this beautiful Trans Woman.
“Happy Pride Ottawa. Thank you to all my Ottawa community for the love and support. Special thank you to all my friends who’s has [sic] been next to me during this process showing me love and support… you know who you are and you have saved my life.”
🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️A woman has born 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/mCl4NXl6iz
— Aimee Yonce Shennel (@aimee_yonce) August 25, 2025
Aimee has been commended across platforms by Drag Race contemporaries and judges, including her season four sister Kiki Coe, who wrote: “So proud of you… love you my friend.”
Perla, from the franchise’s fifth season, wrote: “Period!!! Ahhh!”
The spinoff’s host and original RuPaul’s Drag Race star Brooke Lynn Hytes wrote: “Contgratulations niece!!!”, and season four’s Denim added: “So proud of you sister.”
Other Drag Race queens from across the franchises to have come out publicly as trans after their appearances in various Werk Rooms include Detox, Valentina, Aja, Laganja Estranja, Adore Delano, Amethyst and more.
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