Candi Shell: Honolulu's Bighearted Drag Superstar
Table of Contents
Early Life and Career
Move to New York City
National Performances
Return to Hawaii
Monthly Cabaret Shows
Closing Note
Early Life and Career
Candi Shell was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. From a young age, she was drawn to the performing arts and developed a passion for singing, dancing, and comedy. After high school, Candi began performing at local bars and clubs, bringing her charismatic stage presence and powerful vocals to the Dallas nightlife scene.
In her early 20s, Candi started experimenting with drag and soon developed her glamorous drag persona. She quickly became known for her ability to perfectly impersonate pop divas like Cher, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. Her comedy spoofs of popular songs always brought down the house.
Move to New York City
Looking to expand her horizons, Candi made the move to New York City in her mid-20s. She immersed herself in the NYC drag scene and began performing at iconic venues like Stonewall Inn. In NYC, Candi had the opportunity to open for legendary comedienne Joan Rivers at a number of live shows, impressing Joan with her quick wit and hilarious spoofs.
This exposure helped Candi land a guest appearance as herself on the hit show Ugly Betty alongside RuPaul. Her television debut showed a national audience the stellar singing chops and bubbly personality that made Candi a star in Dallas and NYC.
National Performances
After building her reputation in New York City, Candi took her talents on the road. She performed comedy and music shows at venues across the country, headlining pride events, cabaret theaters, and comedy clubs.
Candi opened for hip hop star Ludacris in San Diego, displaying both her singing abilities and comedic timing. She was also tapped two years in a row to host and perform in Honolulu's Virtual Pride Party, viewed by audiences across Hawaii and the mainland.
Her national performances showed Candi's widespread appeal as she wowed crowds with her powerhouse vocals, diva impersonations, and ability to connect with audiences of all kinds.
Return to Hawaii
Looking for a new challenge, Candi decided to return to Hawaii where she spent some of her childhood years. She took the island of Oahu by storm, becoming the most popular and acclaimed drag performer in Honolulu.
Candi quickly made her mark on the local theater scene in Hawaii. In November 2022, she starred in BEYOND HAPA, an innovative show blending pop music and cabaret with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra at the historic Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu. The show was a smash hit and demonstrated Candi's impressive vocal range.
Monthly Cabaret Shows
Today, Candi Shell headlines monthly cabaret shows at Honolulu's hottest nightlife spots like Hula's Bar & Lei Stand and the Hard Rock Cafe Waikiki. Her shows feature hilarious comedy, dead-on diva impersonations, and Candi's own emotional ballads and upbeat dance songs.
With her big heart and welcoming spirit, Candi has become a Honolulu sensation and an inspiration to LGBTQ+ youth and artists across the island. Though she's reached international fame, Candi remains dedicated to her devoted local fanbase in Hawaii.
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
