RuPaul's Drag Race season 12

Disqualification

On March 4, 2020, Ben Shimkus posted a Facebook update detailing his experiences with contestant Sherry Pie, whose real name is Joey Gugliemelli, accusing him of catfishing while they studied together in the musical theater program at SUNY Cortland. Shimkus alleged that Gugliemelli used a fake identity, "Allison Mossey," to promise a Broadway career and coerced him into sending sexually suggestive fetish videos. In those videos, Shimkus played a character named Jeff, a steroid-dependent individual obsessed with muscle growth.

A BuzzFeed News article on March 5, 2020, reported that four other men came forward with similar allegations. Another former classmate alleged Gugliemelli deceived him into filming provocative scenes for a supposed musical production of The Nightmare Before Christmas affiliated with Tim Burton. One victim claimed Gugliemelli asked them to masturbate on camera. By March 6, 2020, seven victims had come forward, including season 12 contestant Jackie Cox.

Gugliemelli posted a Facebook apology, stating he was sorry for causing trauma and had been seeking help. On March 6, 2020, VH1 disqualified Gugliemelli, stating the season would air as planned but he would not appear in the live finale. After episodes 3 and 5, where Sherry Pie won challenges and received $5,000 cash tips, World of Wonder donated $5,000 to The Trevor Project. Originally a top 4 queen, Sherry Pie finished in 4th place, making season 12 the first to feature a top 3 since season 8.