Courtney Act

Courtney Act
Courtney in 2019
Born
Shane Gilberto Jenek

(1982-02-18) 18 February 1982 (age 42)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Occupations
Years active2000–present
Websitecourtneyact.com

Shane Gilberto Jenek[1] (born 18 February 1982),[2] better known under the stage name Courtney Act, is an Australian drag queen, singer and television personality.[3] Courtney first came to prominence competing on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. After the show, she signed to BMG Australia (now Sony Music Australia), and she released her debut single, "Rub Me Wrong", which peaked at No. 29 on the ARIA Singles Chart[4][5] and was certified Gold. While auditioning for Australian Idol, she became the first LGBTQ contestant to openly appear on a reality TV talent show.[6] In 2014, Courtney was one of the runners-up in season six of RuPaul's Drag Race. Courtney is a member of the drag girl-group, The AAA Girls.

In 2014, Courtney released the extended play Kaleidoscope (2015); the title-track was the official song for the 2016 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. In January 2018, Courtney appeared on season 21 of Celebrity Big Brother UK and ultimately won the series.[7] She began branching into a hosting career, hosting The Bi Life on E! and her own television special, The Courtney Act Show. Courtney released "Fight for Love" in late 2018 for the Eurovision – Australia Decides final; she finished in fourth place. In 2019, Courtney competed and was runner-up on season 16 of the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with Joshua Keefe.[8] In 2022, Act was a judge on the ITV reality competition series, Queens for the Night.

Jenek uses the pronoun she when referring to Courtney and he when referring to himself.[9]

  1. ^ Vivinetto, Gina (3 June 2015). "Courtney Act Is No Dumb Blonde". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  2. ^ Act, Courtney [@courtneyact] (9 February 2018). "Dear Press! I am not 36 (till next Sunday) please cease and desist!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 February 2018 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Bruno, Bel (9 December 2003). "Drag idol: Sydney's Shane Jenek was rejected by Australian Idol until he became Courtney Act. Now he's headed to the USA". The Advocate. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Discography Courtney Act". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Drag idol: Sydney's Shane Jenek was rejected by Australian Idol until he became Courtney Act. Now he's headed to the USA.(Interview)". The Advocate. 9 December 2003.
  6. ^ Under The Covers with Courtney Act, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 19 March 2018, retrieved 4 April 2018
  7. ^ "Celebrity Big Brother final voting stats reveal Courtney Act was clear winner". Metro. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  8. ^ Braidwood, Ella (18 February 2019). "Courtney Act makes Dancing with the Stars Australia debut with male partner". PinkNews. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  9. ^ Act, Courtney (14 August 2015). "@edmundcorcoran Not overly fussed. Usually he when I'm a boy and she when I'm a girl. "He" always feels a bit aggressive in drag".