Jaren Kyei Merrell (born February 8, 1989), known professionally as Shea Couleé, is an American drag queen, musician, actor, podcaster, and fixture of the Chicago nightlife scene. Born in Warsaw, Indiana, they began their drag career in 2012. In 2017, Couleé achieved international fame after competing on season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race, placing in the top four. In 2020, Couleé won the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Couleé later returned to compete on the all-winners seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2022.
In 2016, Couleé co-produced, directed, wrote, and starred in Lipstick City. In 2017, Couleé released their debut EP, Couleé-D, along with accompanying music videos. Since then, Couleé has continued their musical career, starred in their own web series, podcast, and has embarked on domestic and international tours, including Werq the World, Haters Roast, and A Drag Queen Christmas.
Merrell was born to Marilyn Elaine Merrell in Warsaw, Indiana and raised in Plainfield, Illinois. The youngest of five children, their mother was a minister.
They graduated with a degree in costume design from Columbia College Chicago in 2011. In their sophomore year, they were cast in Ten Square.
During their senior year at Columbia, they were the lead designer on Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. Couleé has performed in theater since the age of nine.

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