RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 12)

Spoilers This article contains spoilers and/or upcoming content, and therefore may be incorrect and will change from time to time. Continue reading at your own discretion.

The twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was announced January, 22nd, 2019. Casting opened that same day with a submission deadline of March 1st and later it was announced that thirteen queens will compete for the crown this season. Filming began in late July 2019 and the cast was officially revealed on January 23rd, 2020 on Twitter with current reigning Yvie Oddly as the host. The theme of a promo was the Colours of the American Flag, due to the presidential theme shown through the trailer and the queens holding 'Register to Vote' signs at the end of each episode.

About The Show

Contestants

Aiden Zhane

Brita

Crystal Methyd

Dahlia Sin

Gigi Goode

Heidi N Closet

Jackie Cox

Jaida Essence Hall

Jan

Nicky Doll

Rock M. Sakura

Sherry Pie

Widow Von'Du

(Ages and names stated are during time of contest)

Rank	Contestant	Photo	Real Name	Age	Current City	Ep. 1	Ep. 2	Ep. 3	Ep. 4	Ep. 5	Ep. 6	Ep. 7
						(Premiere)			(Ball)		(Snatch Game)
TBA	Gigi Goode (Group 1)		Samuel Steven Geggie	21	Los Angeles, CA	TOP2		SAFE	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	HIGH Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	TBA
TBA	Jackie Cox (Group 1)		Darius Rose	34	New York, NY	HIGH		HIGH	SAFE	HIGH	HIGH	TBA
TBA (Disqualified)	Sherry Pie (Group 2)		Joey Gugliemelli	27	New York, NY		TOP2	WIN	SAFE	WIN	HIGH	TBA
TBA	Heidi N Closet (Group 1)		Trevien Anthonie Cheek	24	Ramseur, NC	LOW		HIGH Team Captain	SAFE	BTM2	SAFE	TBA
TBA	Jaida Essence Hall (Group 2)		Jared Johnson	32	Milwaukee, WI		WIN	SAFE Team Captain	HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	TBA
TBA	Jan (Group 2)		Charlie Mantione	26	New York, NY		HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	TBA
TBA	Widow Von'Du (Group 1)		Ray Fry	30	Kansas City, MO	WIN		SAFE Team Captain	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	TBA
TBA	Crystal Methyd (Group 1)		Cody Harness	28	Springfield, MO	SAFE		LOW	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	TBA
TBA	Brita (Group 1)		Jesse Havea	34	New York, NY	HIGH		SAFE	BTM2	LOW	BTM2	TBA
10th	Aiden Zhane (Group 2)		Devin Lewis	29	Acworth, GA		HIGH	SAFE Team Captain	LOW	HIGH	ELIM
11th	Nicky Doll (Group 1)		Karl Sanchez	28	New York, NY	LOW		BTM2	HIGH	ELIM Mini Chall. Winner
12th	Rock M. Sakura (Group 2)		Bryan Steven Bradford	28	San Francisco, CA		LOW	SAFE	ELIM
13th	Dahlia Sin (Group 2)		Erick Anthony	28	Los Angeles, CA		LOW	ELIM

█ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant won the maxi challenge or was in the Top 2 in their premiere and won the lip sync.

█ The contestant was in the Top 2 in their premiere but did not win the lip sync.

█ The contestant was one of the two maxi challenge winners.

█ The contestant was one of the best but did not win the maxi challenge or place in the Top 2.

█ The contestant was one of the worst but was not up for elimination.

█ The contestant placed in the bottom two and won the lip-sync for your life.

█ The contestant placed in the bottom two, lost the lip-sync for your life, and was eliminated.

█ The contestant returned and appeared on the reunion episode, but was out of the running.

█ The contestant was disqualified prior to their premiere and was not invited to the season's reunion or finale.

Queen's Winning Earnings

█ Since being disqualified, VH1 and World of Wonder have matched Sherry's prize money earned with donations to The Trevor Project.

Episodes

Episode 1: "I'm That Bitch"

Airdate: February 28, 2020

Synopsis: Nicki Minaj guest judges the new cast of queens competing for $100,000 and the title of America's Next Drag Superstar. The first step toward the crown is having to write and perform an original rap number.

• Special Guests: Raven, Mayhem Miller (as NOT Kanye West) and Kimora Blac (as NOT Kim Kardashian)
• Guest Judge: Nicki Minaj
• Mini Challenge: Model two looks on the runway; one for Spring and one for Fall.
• Maxi Challenge: Write and perform an original rap number to "I'm That Bitch".
• Runway Theme: Sparkle
• Top Two: Gigi Goode and Widow Von'Du
• Lip Sync Song: "Starships" by Nicki Minaj
• Lip Sync Winner: Widow Von'Du
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A cash tip of $5,000

Entrance Order

Episode 2: "You Don't Know Me"

Airdate: March 6, 2020 Synopsis: Thandie Newton (Westworld) and Swedish singer Robyn guest judge. And as the race for the crown continues, the queens must write and perform a Fosse-inspired jazz number. 

• Special Guests: Zaldy, Raven, Kim Chi (as NOT Anna Sui), Sonique (as NOT Karl Lagerfeld), and Mayhem Miller (as NOT Andre Leon Talley)
• Guest Judges: Robyn and Thandie Newton
• Mini Challenge: Model two looks on the runway; one for Spring and one for Fall.
• Maxi Challenge: Write and perform an original Fosse-inspired jazz number called "You Don't Know Me".
• Runway Theme: Tulle
• Top Two: Jaida Essence Hall and Sherry Pie
• Lip Sync Song: "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn
• Lip Sync Winner: Jaida Essence Hall
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A cash tip of $5,000

Entrance Order

Episode 3: "World's Worst"

Airdate: March 13, 2020

Synopsis: The queens must flex their comedy improv skills when they audition for the new TV show World's Worst - a talent show for people with little talent. Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse) guest judges. 

• Special Guests: Charo and Vivacious as Ornacia
• Guest Judge: Olivia Munn
• Mini Challenge: Queer-Peer Assessment
• Maxi Challenge: Improv in a talent competition, called "World's Worst".
• Runway Theme: Buttons and Bows
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Sherry Pie
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A cash prize of $5,000 which was donated to The Trevor Project
• Bottom Two: Dahlia Sin and Nicky Doll
• Lip Sync Song: "Problem" by Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea
• Eliminated: Dahlia Sin
• Farewell Message: Keep Ur Heads UP I♡U ALL! -Dahlia ♡

World's Worst Groups

Episode 4: "The Ball Ball"

Airdate: March 20, 2020

Synopsis: The queens’ creativity comes to life when they compete in a pageant of sports-inspired couture, and strutting the runway in three “ball-themed” looks. Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live) guest judges. 

• Guest Judge: Leslie Jones
• Mini Challenge: "The Beehive Jive" dance competition
• Mini Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
• Maxi Challenge: Showcase three looks in The Ball Ball
• Runway Themes: Lady Baller, Basketball Wife Realness, and Balls to the Wall Eleganza
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Brita and Rock M. Sakura
• Lip Sync Song: "S&M" by Rihanna
• Eliminated: Rock M. Sakura
• Farewell Message: "To all of my special queens, make sure you do what I couldn’t do. Love yourself, respect yourself, and remember to show the world that you care about what you believe in. I‘m devastated I couldn‘t stay longer. But choose forward to looks of for memories with you. Rock M. Sakura ♥ Love you all truly"

Episode 5: "Gay's Anatomy"

Airdate: March 27, 2020

Synopsis: The queens are challenged to take part in TV’s longest running drag queen scripted show, "Gay’s Anatomy.” Pop superstar, Normani guest judges.

• Cameo Appearance: Dahlia Sin
• Guest Judge: Normani
• Mini Challenge: Pink Pill or Silver Pill: The two queens who choose the bottle with a pink pill win
• Mini Challenge Winners: Gigi Goode and Nicky Doll
• Mini Challenge Prize: Assigning the roles for Gay's Anatomy
• Maxi Challenge: Overact in Gay's Anatomy, a parody of the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy.
• Runway Theme: Planet of the Capes
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Sherry Pie
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Heidi N Closet and Nicky Doll
• Lip Sync Song: "Heart to Break" by Kim Petras
• Eliminated: Nicky Doll
• Farewell Message: "I may not have gotten a crown. But I have gotten a sisterhood. I♥U. Your French sister! (I'm still the prettier) 💋"

Gay's Anatomy

Episode 6: "Snatch Game"

Airdate: April 3, 2020

Synopsis: The queens compete in the legendary Snatch Game. Mean Girls co-stars Jonathan Bennett and Daniel Franzese guest judge. Drag queen Miss Vanjie makes a guest appearance.

• Special Guest: Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
• Cameo Appearance: Dahlia Sin
• Guest Judges: Daniel Franzese and Jonathan Bennett
• Maxi Challenge: Snatch Game
• Runway Theme: Frozen Eleganza (Inspired by the 2013 Academy Award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios Movie and the Tony-nominated Broadway Musical Frozen)
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Aiden Zhane and Brita
• Lip Sync Song: "Let it Go" by Cassie Levy
• Eliminated: Aiden Zhane
• Farewell Message: "I hope my screams were loud enough for you Bitches. You may not know me now but you sure will later ♥ Aiden Zhane"

Snatch Game

Episode 7: "Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical"

Airdate: April 10, 2020

Synopsis: The queens get into the groove in a Queen of Pop inspired musical. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and supermodel Winnie Harlow guest judge.

• Guest Judges: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Winnie Harlow
• Mini Challenge: TBA
• Mini Challenge Winner: TBA
• Mini Challenge Prize: TBA
• Maxi Challenge: Record vocals and perform them on the main stage in Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical.
• Runway Theme: TBA
• Maxi Challenge Winner: TBA
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: TBA
• Lip Sync Song: "TBA" by TBA
• Eliminated: TBA
• Farewell Message: TBA

Gallery

Check out the lookbook gallery to see the queens' looks from each episode.

Videos

RuVeal Runway Walk — RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 Promo

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 Official Trailer

Pre-Season Cast Interviews

Season 12 Queens Build Series Interview

Dive In w the Cast of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Season 12 MTV News

'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Season 12 Queens Read Photos Of Their First Time In Drag Entertainment Weekly

Before She Walks In Season 12

Season 12 Queens Do Impressions of Each Other

Season 12 Queens on Politics

Season 12 Queens React to Their First Picture in Drag

Season 12 Queens Play Tuck, Marry, Kill

Meet the Season 12 Queens

Meet Aiden Zhane — Season 12

Meet Brita — Season 12

Meet Crystal Methyd — Season 12

Meet Dahlia Sin — Season 12

Meet Gigi Goode — Season 12

Meet Heidi N Closet — Season 12

Meet Jackie Cox — Season 12

Meet Jaida Essence Hall — Season 12

Meet Jan — Season 12

Meet Nicky Doll — Season 12

Meet Rock M Sakura — Season 12

Meet Widow Von’Du — Season 12

Lip Sync Performances

Episode 1 “Starships” Lip Sync

Episode 5 “Heart to Break” Lip Sync

Episode 6 “Let It Go” Lip Sync

The Pit Stop

The Pit Stop S12 E1 with Sasha Velour

The Pit Stop S12 E2 with Peppermint

The Pit Stop S12 E3 with Thorgy Thor

The Pit Stop S12 E4 with Acid Betty

The Pit Stop S12 E5 with Yuhua Hamasaki

The Pit Stop S12 E6 with Monét X Change

Whatcha Packin' Exit Interviews

Whatcha Packin’ Dahlia Sin

Whatcha Packin’ Rock M. Sakura

Whatcha Packin’ Nicky Doll

Whatcha Packin’ Aiden Zhane

Trivia

•  This season has/is...
  • Jackie Cox, the first queen of Iranian descent to ever compete on RuPaul's Drag Race.
  • Nicky Doll, the first French queen to ever compete on RuPaul's Drag Race.
  • Rock M Sakura, the first queen from San Francisco to compete on the show since Honey Mahogany and the first Filipino queen to compete on the show since Vivienne Pinay. Interestingly enough, Honey and Vivienne were also eliminated on the 4th episode of their season.
  • The first season since Season 4 to have a cast of 13 contestants and the first regular season since Season 8 to feature less than 14 competing queens.
  • This season is the first season since Season 6 to not have a queen who has competed to return in any way and to not feature a returning queen from a previous season, since Season 9.
  • This is the first season since Season 8 to not have a contestant with the last name "O'Hara" or "Davenport"
  • The second season to have a split premiere, the first being Season 6.
  • An average queen age of 28.4 years old.
  • The youngest cast, with two oldest queens being 34 years old at the time of competing.
  • The first congressional representative as a guest judge, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This was revealed in the extended trailer.
  • The first season to feature a Top 2 lip-sync on a regular season.
  • The most queens taking part in a Ball, with 12, and, currently, the most looks shown on the runway in one episode with 36.
  • The first regular season since Season 9 to feature 10 queens taking part in the Snatch Game.
• According to Jackie Cox, the runway theme for the pre-season runway walk video is “Urban Streetwear with a Political/Protest vibe.” ^[1]
• Sherry Pie was publicly announced as disqualified from Season 12 on March 6, 2020 via social media citing the "recent developments and [her] statement" from Facebook about the claim she sexually exploited several men.^[2][3] However, the season had already begun airing a week prior to her disqualification, and the second part of the season premiere (which was the episode that introduced her into the Werkroom for the first time) aired as normal that evening, making her the first queen to be disqualified after already filming a season. She was banned from attending both the reunion and the finale.
  • She is the third contestant to be disqualified from the Drag Race franchise (after Willam and Miss Gimhuay); however, she is the first contestant to be disqualified after the season has been filmed.

References

1. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/B71JfRrp2_s/
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/RuPaulsDragRace/status/1236031785374494720?s=20
3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/sherry.pie.353/posts/2838055509612025

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