RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 12)

RuPaul's Drag Race
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Season 12
Information
No. of Episodes	14
No. of Contestants	13
Premiere	February 28, 2020
Finale	May 29, 2020
Production
Winner	Jaida Essence Hall
Miss Congeniality	Heidi N Closet
Host	RuPaul
Judges	Carson Kressley Michelle Visage Ross Mathews RuPaul
Season Chronology
← Previous	Season 11
Next →	All Stars 5

The twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was announced January 22, 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 23, 2020 on Twitter with a pre-recorded event showcasing the queens with Yvie Oddly as the host. The promo theme was Red, White, and Blue since 2020 is an American presidential election year. At the end of each episode, queens are seen holding signs that read "Register to Vote".

The season 12 queen crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar" was Jaida Essence Hall, while Heidi N Closet was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality by her fellow eliminated castmates.

In October 2020, the season 12 cast returned for the halloween special "Bring Back My Ghouls".

In May 2021 it was announced that Jan will be returning to compete on All Stars 6. Jan placed 7th.

About The Show

The fiercest series on primetime returns to the runway on Friday, February 28th at 8:00 PM ET/PT. The highly anticipated new season brings together thirteen fabulous queens as they vie for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" and a cash prize of $100,000. The Emmy nominated after-show "RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked" will premiere immediately following at 9:30 PM ET/PT. "Untucked" will provide viewers with an all-access pass to the backstage drama as the queens anxiously await their fate and who will need to lip-sync for their life to avoid the week's elimination.

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

(Biographical information stated from 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	Ep. 8	Ep. 9	Ep. 10	Ep. 11	Ep. 12	Ep. 13	Ep. 14
						Premiere			Ball		Snatch Game	Rusical			Make Over		Rusical	Reunion	Grand Finale
1st (Winner)	Jaida Essence Hall (Group 2)		Jared Johnson	32	Milwaukee, WI		WIN	SAFE Team Captain	HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	WIN	WIN	BTM2	HIGH	RUN	WINNER
2nd/3rd (Runners‑Up)	Crystal Methyd (Group 1)		Cody Harness	28	Springfield, MO	SAFE		LOW	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	BTM2	RUN	RUNNER UP
	Gigi Goode (Group 1)		Gigi Geggie	21	Los Angeles, CA	TOP2		SAFE	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	HIGH	WIN	WIN	LOW Mini Chall. Winner	LOW	SAFE	SAFE	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	RUN	RUNNER UP
4th (Disqualified)	Sherry Pie (Group 2)		Joey Gugliemelli	27	New York, NY		TOP2	WIN	SAFE	WIN	HIGH	SAFE	LOW	SAFE	HIGH	LOW	SAFE + DISQ
5th	Jackie Cox (Group 1)		Darius Rose	34	New York, NY	HIGH		HIGH	SAFE	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	HIGH Mini Chall. Winner	BTM2 Mini Chall. Winner	BTM2	HIGH Mini Chall. Winner	ELIM	GUEST	GUEST
6th (Miss Congeniality)	Heidi N Closet (Group 1)		Trevien Anthonie Cheek	24	Ramseur, NC	LOW		HIGH Team Captain	SAFE	BTM2	SAFE	BTM2	WIN	HIGH	BTM2	ELIM		GUEST	MISS CON
7th	Widow Von'Du (Group 1)		Ray Fry	30	Kansas City, MO	WIN		SAFE Team Captain	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	BTM2	ELIM				GUEST	GUEST
8th	Jan (Group 2)		Charlie Mantione	26	New York, NY		HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	HIGH	ELIM					GUEST	GUEST
9th	Brita (Group 1)		Jesse Havea	34	New York, NY	HIGH		SAFE	BTM2	LOW	BTM2	ELIM						GUEST	GUEST
10th	Aiden Zhane (Group 2)		Devin Lewis	29	Acworth, GA		HIGH	SAFE Team Captain	LOW	HIGH	ELIM							GUEST	GUEST
11th	Nicky Doll (Group 1)		Karl Sanchez	28	New York, NY	LOW		BTM2	HIGH	ELIM								GUEST	GUEST
12th	Rock M. Sakura (Group 2)		Bryan Steven Bradford	28	San Francisco, CA		LOW	SAFE	ELIM									GUEST	GUEST
13th	Dahlia Sin (Group 2)		Erick Anthony	28	Los Angeles, CA		LOW	ELIM										GUEST	GUEST

█ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant was a runner-up.

█ The contestant appeared on the "Reunion" episode and was still in the running.

█ 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 received positive critiques, but did not win the maxi challenge.

█ The contestant received negative critiques, but was not up for elimination.

█ The contestant placed in the bottom two, but neither one was eliminated.

█ 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 was voted Miss Congeniality by the contestants.

█ The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running.

█ The contestant was disqualified after filming and could not advance further in the competition.

Queen's Winning Earnings

Name	Money
Jaida Essence Hall	$117,000
Crystal Methyd	$7,000
Gigi Goode	$25,500
Sherry Pie	$10,000
Jackie Cox	$5,500
Heidi N Closet	$17,000
Widow Von'Du	$7,000
Jan	$2,000
Brita	$2,000
Aiden Zhane	$2,000
Nicky Doll	$2,000
Rock M. Sakura	$2,000
Dahlia Sin	$2,000

█ The contestant was awarded $100,000 for winning RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant was awarded $10,000 for winning the title of Miss Congeniality.

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

• Each queen present in the Grand Finale episode was awarded a $2,000 tip during the last episode, courtesy of Pantene.

Episodes

Series #	Episode #	Episode Title	Airdate
181	1	I'm That Bitch	February 28, 2020
182	2	You Don't Know Me	March 6, 2020
183	3	World's Worst	March 13, 2020
184	4	The Ball Ball	March 20, 2020
185	5	Gay's Anatomy	March 27, 2020
186	6	Snatch Game	April 3, 2020
187	7	Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical	April 10, 2020
188	8	Droop	April 17, 2020
189	9	Choices 2020	April 24, 2020
190	10	Superfan Makeover	May 1, 2020
191	11	One-Queen Show	May 8, 2020
192	12	Viva Drag Vegas	May 15, 2020
193	13	Alone Together	May 22, 2020
194	14	Grand Finale	May 29, 2020

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.

Episode 1 Judges

• 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

1	Brita
2	Nicky Doll
3	Widow Von'Du
4	Jackie Cox
5	Heidi N Closet
6	Gigi Goode
7	Crystal Methyd

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.

Episode 2 Judges

• 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

1	Rock M. Sakura
2	Dahlia Sin
3	Sherry Pie
4	Jan
5	Jaida Essence Hall
6	Aiden Zhane

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.

Episode 3 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: $5,000 cash prize 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

Fruity Patooties (Team Jaida)	3 Girls, 1 Brain (Team Aiden)	Squirrel Scouts (Team Widow)	The Del Rio Triplets (Team Heidi)
Dahlia Sin	Aiden Zhane	Crystal Methyd	Gigi Goode
Jaida Essence Hall	Brita	Nicky Doll	Heidi N Closet
Jan	Sherry Pie	Widow Von'Du	Jackie Cox
Rock M. Sakura

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.

Episode 4 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.

Episode 5 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 (This was technically not a mini challenge.)
• 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 that was donated to The Trevor Project
• 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

Queen	Role	Who Should Go Home Tonight?
Aiden Zhane	Henny
Brita	Dr. Sandra Okurr	Nicky Doll
Crystal Methyd	Fork Queen #2
Gigi Goode	Dr. Tizzy Stevens
Heidi N Closet	Fork Queen #1	Nicky Doll
Jackie Cox	Dr. Meredith Gay #1
Jaida Essence Hall	Rhonda Shimes	Heidi N Closet
Jan	Dr. Meredith Gay #2
Nicky Doll	Baby Dearest	Herself/Heidi N Closet
Sherry Pie	Dr. Mother Gay
Widow Von'Du	Mimi Dearest

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 Vanessa Vanjie Mateo makes a guest appearance.

Episode 6 Judges

• 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 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

Queen	Celebrity	Photo
Aiden Zhane	Patricia Quinn
Brita	Jennifer Holliday
Crystal Methyd	Poppy
Gigi Goode	Maria the Robot
Heidi N Closet	Leslie Jones
Jackie Cox	Lisa Rinna
Jaida Essence Hall	Cardi B
Jan	Bernardette Peters
Sherry Pie	Katherine Hepburn
Widow Von'Du	Tina Turner
	Ike Turner

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.

Episode 7 Judges

• Special Guest: Jamal Sims
• Guest Judges: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Winnie Harlow
• Maxi Challenge: Record vocals and perform to them in Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical.
• Runway Theme: Night of a 1000 Michelle Visages
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Brita and Heidi N Closet
• Lip Sync Song: "Burning Up" by Madonna
• Eliminated: Brita
• Farewell Message: "SIS. SHARE THE JOY! YOU AIN'T SHIT. JK. LOVE YOU ALL. xo BRITA BITCH"

Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical

Queen	Madonna Era
Brita	Cone Bra Madonna
Crystal Methyd	Enlightened Madonna
Gigi Goode	Unapologetic Madonna
Heidi N Closet	Madonna Forever
Jaida Essence Hall	Sexy Madonna
Jackie Cox	Boy Toy Madonna
Jan	Early Madonna
Sherry Pie	Movie Star Madonna
Widow Von'Du	Femmepire Madonna

Episode 8: "Droop"

Airdate: April 17, 2020

Synopsis: The queens must create and market ridiculously extravagant products, for the new drag queen lifestyle brand "Droop." Chaka Khan guest judges. Personal trainer Bob Harper makes a guest appearance.

Episode 8 Judges

• Cameo Appareance: Dahlia Sin
• Special Guest: Bob Harper
• Guest Judge: Chaka Khan
• Mini Challenge: In pairs, curate a box of FabFitFun products for another duo, then gift it to them with shade.
• Mini Challenge Winners: Jackie Cox and Gigi Goode
• Mini Challenge Prize: $1,000 and a 1 year subscription to FabFitFun
• Maxi Challenge: Create and market a product for a new drag queen lifestyle brand.
• Runway Theme: Black Wedding / The Bride Wore Black
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Heidi N Closet
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Jan and Widow Von'Du
• Lip Sync Song: "This Is My Night" by Chaka Khan
• Eliminated: Jan
• Farewell Message: "Sisters, I'm so happy I got to share this experience with you. Stay humble, grateful, & remember, you're on RuPaul's Drag Race!! I love you, Jan 💋"

Droop Product

Queen	Product	Who Should Go Home Tonight?
Crystal Methyd	"Magic Mullet"	Widow Von'Du
Gigi Goode	"Goode Night Bitch" Fragrance Sleeping Aid
Heidi N Closet	"Heidi's Hydrates" Multipurpose Lotion
Jaida Essence Hall	"Luxuratuck" Tucking Panty
Jackie Cox	"Jackie's Magic Carpet Merkin"
Jan	"Sure, Jan" Spray
Sherry Pie	"Sherry Pie's Aura Pie"
Widow Von'Du	"Throaté" Throat Coat Spray	Jan

Episode 9: "Choices 2020"

Airdate: April 24, 2020

Synopsis: It's time for America's first drag queen president! The queens argue in a fabulous presidential debate. Actors Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) and Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) guest judge.

Episode 9 Judges

• Cameo Appereance: Dahlia Sin
• Special Guest: Raven
• Guest Judges: Jeff Goldblum and Rachel Bloom
• Mini Challenge: Audition for the title of "Kitty Girl 2020"
• Mini Challenge Winner: Jackie Cox
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card to Fierce Drag Jewels
• Maxi Challenge: Compete on the political stage to become America's first drag queen president
• Runway Theme: Stars and Stripes Forever
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Jaida Essence Hall
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Jackie Cox and Widow Von'Du
• Lip Sync Song: "Firework" by Katy Perry
• Eliminated: Widow Von'Du
• Farewell Message: "I hope I made you PROUD KANSAS city. Remember, yes bitch you might be! PS Heidi unlike the other girls Im not leaving you a damn thing. ♥ W X"

Episode 10: "Superfan Makeover"

Airdate: May 1, 2020

Episode 10 Judges

Synopsis: The queens must makeover Drag Race superfans. But there's one thing…the superfans have no idea what's about to happen to them. Actress Daisy Ridley (Star Wars) guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Daisy Ridley
• Maxi Challenge: Makeover Drag Race super fans and teach them to lip sync to "U Wear It Well" against eachother on the mainstage.
• Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Jaida Essence Hall
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize & a $5,000 gift card for Jazz Essence Hall
• Bottom Two: Heidi N Closet and Jackie Cox
• Lip Sync Song: "Kill the Lights" by Alex Newell and DJ Cassidy ft. Nile Rodgers
• Eliminated: None

Makeover Pairs

Queen	Super Fan
	Name	Drag Name
Crystal Methyd	Grace Boll	Opal Methyd
Gigi Goode	Shea Smesler	Bebe Bad
Heidi N Closet	Nicole Blake	Honey Almighty
Jaida Essence Hall	Bethany Akeroy	Jazz Essence Hall
Jackie Cox	Tiffany De La Cruz	Lil' Snacky Cox
Sherry Pie	Janet the Planet	Tara Misu

Episode 11: "One-Queen Show"

Airdate: May 8, 2020

Episode 11 Judges

Synopsis: The queens must create and perform their own solo show. Whoopi Goldberg (The View; Ghost) coaches the queens and guest judges.

• Cameo Appereance: Dahlia Sin
• Guest Judge: Whoopi Goldberg
• Mini Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
• Mini Challenge Winner: Jackie Cox
• Mini Challenge Prize: Decide the One-Queen Show's order
• Maxi Challenge: The queens perform in their own one woman show
• Runway Theme: The Color Purple
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Crystal Methyd
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Heidi N Closet and Jaida Essence Hall
• Lip Sync Song: "1999" by Prince
• Eliminated: Heidi N Closet
• Farewell Message: "Remember to stay Soft & Supple and always (Insert stolen catchphrase here). Love. Heidi...Something 💋"

One-Queen Show

Queen	Show
Jackie Cox	Between Two Parents
Crystal Methyd	Phenomenal Phil: Exotic Dance Instructor
Heidi N Closet	Cookout With Your Cheeks Out
Gigi Goode	Welcome Aboard Brimstone Airways
Sherry Pie	Bubbles and Sherry
Jaida Essence Hall	Putting The "P" in Pageant

Episode 12: "Viva Drag Vegas"

Airdate: May 15, 2020

Episode 12 Judges

Synopsis: The queens must perform a medley of songs from RuPaul's Drag Race Live!, a hit show on the Las Vegas strip. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Disney’s Aladdin) guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Jamal Sims
• Mini Challenge: Design an over-the-top, one-of-a-kind showgirl headdress, that screams 'Viva Drag Vegas'.
• Mini Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Mini Challenge Prize: A trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare, accommodation, and tickets to see RuPaul's Drag Race Live
• Maxi Challenge: Record and perform a medley of songs from RuPaul's Drag Race Live in Las Vegas
• Runway Theme: Eleganza Extravaganza
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Gigi Goode
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Crystal Methyd and Jackie Cox
• Lip Sync Song: "On The Floor" by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
• Eliminated: Jackie Cox
• Disqualified: Sherry Pie

Top Three of Season 12

Queen	Challenge Wins	Up for Elimination
	1 (Ep. 11)	1 (Ep. 12)
	4 (Eps. 4, 6, 7, 12)	0
	3 (Eps. 2, 9, 10)	1 (Ep. 11)

Episode 13: "Alone Together"

Airdate: May 22, 2020

Synopsis: The 12 queens come together in a virtual slumber party to kiki about all things season 12. Ru checks in with all the girls during quarantine and chats about the shadiest moments, most shocking eliminations and takes fan questions.

• Guest Appearances: Victoria Parker and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

The queens reunited from their homes

• Discussions: Aiden Zhane and Brita's beef, Rock M Sakura's heartbreaking elimination, Nicky Doll being a fan favorite, Dahlia Sin storming off after her elimination, Gigi Goode and Heidi N. Closet's beef, the queens' relationships with their families, Jan crying when Brita was sent home/being upset after she was declared safe, if Gigi Goode and Crystal Methyd are dating, the queens vote for whose team they are on for the crown.

Episode 14: "Grand Finale"

Airdate: May 29, 2020

Synopsis: The top 3 queens compete in a revolutionary lip sync battle for the crown. The finale boasts special celeb appearances, the announcement of Miss Congeniality and show-stopping performances.

• Celebrity Guest Appearances: Rachel Bloom, Daniel Franzese, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Lambert, Dolly Parton, Kim Petras, and Robyn
• Past Queen Guest Appearances: Bob The Drag Queen, Monét X Change, Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Scarlet Envy, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Peppermint, Latrice Royale, Yvie Oddly, Sasha Velour, Vivacious, and Nina West
• Finale Lip Sync Challenges
  • A close-up lip-sync to Ru's new song "Bring Back My Girls".
  • Individually produce, direct, and star in their own performance with a song of their choice.
  • A lip sync performance to "Survivor" by Destiny's Child.
• Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12: Jaida Essence Hall
• Runners-Up: Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode
• Miss Congeniality: Heidi N Closet

Finale Performances

Performer		Song	Photo
1	The Top 3	"Bring Back My Girls" by RuPaul
2	Crystal Methyd	"I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado
3	Gigi Goode	"Take On Me" by a-ha
4	Jaida Essence Hall	"Get Up" by Ciara
5	The Top 3	"Survivor" by Destiny's Child

Gallery

Season 12 Casting Announcement

Season 12 Logo

S12 Promo Poster

Season 12 Disclaimer

Season 12 Disclaimer

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

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

Check out the video gallery to see challenge performances, runways, lip syncs, and more!

Trivia

• Season 12 is the first regular season in herstory...

• • ... with a contestant of Persian descent (Jackie Cox).
  • ... with a French contestant (Nicky Doll).
  • ... with a contestant of North African descent (Nicky Doll, who has Moroccan ancestry).
  • ... with a contestant of Tongan descent (Brita).
  • ... with a contestant who once lived in the state of Hawaii (Brita).
  • ... to have only two contestants win Mini Challenges (Gigi Goode and Jackie Cox). They each won three out of the six Mini Challenges.
  • ... to have a congressional representative as a guest judge (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Episode 7).
  • ... where none of the top-five contestants landed in the Bottom 2 in the first eight episodes competing. The previous top-five holding the longest run without lip-syncing was Season 3's. Alexis Mateo lip-synced for her life after six episodes competing.
  • ... to feature a Top 2 lip-sync on a regular season.
  • ... where all contestants lip-synced at least once during the season, but not all of them landed in the Bottom 2. Both contestants who never landed in the Bottom 2 (Gigi Goode and Sherry Pie) lip-synced as Top 2 queens in the split premieres.
  • ... to not have a single design challenge besides the Ball. This would later be repeated on Season 13.
  • ... to not have a single group challenge where the contestants ended up being judged as teams.
  • ... to have the reunion and finale filmed from the contestants' homes (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
  • ... where the contestant who appeared in the least amount of episodes (Rock M. Sakura, appearing in four episodes) is not the first contestant to go home, but the second.
    • The first contestant out (Dahlia Sin) appeared in ten episodes out of the 14, having six cameo appearances and being safe one episode before getting sent home.
  • ... where the first contestant out appeared in more episodes than five other fellow contestants.
  • ... to have five musical performances available for download/streaming, with "I'm That Bitch", "You Don't Know Me", "Madonna: The Unauthorised Rusical", "I Made It/ Mirror Song/ Losing is the New Winning (Las Vegas Live Medley)" and "The Shady Bunch".
  • ... to have two contestants that never landed in the Bottom 2 not win the crown (Gigi Goode and Sherry Pie).
    • Season 6 also had two contestants who never landed in the Bottom 2 (Bianca Del Rio and Courtney Act), but one of them ended up winning the crown.
    • This would later be repeated on Season 13, where two queens who didn't lip sync, Rosé and Gottmik, didn't win the season.
  • ... to have both a black winner and a black Miss Congeniality (Jaida Essence Hall and Heidi N Closet).
    • This would later be repeated on Season 13, where the winner, Symone, and Miss Congeniality, LaLa Ri, were both black.
  • ... where both the winner and Miss Congeniality lip-synced against each other before the finale.
  • ... where five consecutive Maxi Challenges were won by only two contestants (episodes 3 to 7, Gigi Goode and Sherry Pie).
    • The previous season to hold this record was Season 10, where four consecutive Maxi Challenges were won by only two contestants (episodes 4 to 7, Aquaria and Eureka).
  • ... to have a contestant not appear in the reunion episode (Sherry Pie).
    • However, this happened before in an All Stars season (Phi Phi O'Hara in All Stars 2).
  • ... to have a contestant not appear in the finale episode (Sherry Pie).
  • ... to have a contestant disqualified after filming (Sherry Pie).

• Season 12 is the second regular season in herstory...

• • ... to have more than three contestants lip sync for their life in two consecutive episodes, with 4 contestants like in season 10.
  • ... with a contestant from San Francisco (Rock M. Sakura, after Honey Mahogany in Season 5).
    • Rock is also the first contestant of Filipino descent after Vivienne Pinay in Season 5.
      • Coincidentally, both Honey and Vivienne were eliminated in the first ever double sashay.
  • ... with a contestant of Middle Eastern descent (Jackie Cox, after Shangela).
  • ... with a Canadian contestant (Jackie Cox, after Brooke Lynn Hytes).
  • ... to have a split premiere (after Season 6).
  • ... to have two contestants win two consecutive Maxi Challenges (Gigi Goode and Jaida Essence Hall), after Alexis Mateo and Manila Luzon in Season 3.
    • However, Gigi's and Jaida's consecutive wins were solo wins, whereas Alexis had a shared win.
  • This would later be repeated on Season 13, where both Olivia Lux and Symone (twice) won two consecutive maxi challenges.
  • ... to feature two Rusicals in a single season, the first being Season 10.
  • ... to have a contestant win four Maxi Challenges not ending up winning the crown (Gigi Goode, after Shea Couleé in Season 9).

• Season 12 is the third regular season...

• • ... with a Mexican-American contestant (Crystal Methyd, after Adore Delano and Valentina).
  • ... to have a cast of 13 contestants (after Season 3 and Season 4).
  • ... to include an episode (Episode 9) where Michelle Visage does not judge (since Season 2, on which she was not a judge yet). However, she did make an appearance in the episode as a roaming commentator.
  • ... to have a contestant win four Maxi Challenges (Gigi Goode, after Sharon Needles in Season 4 and Shea Couleé in Season 9).
  • ... to have a contestant who once lived in Africa (Nicky Doll, after Bebe Zahara Benet and Mercedes Iman Diamond).

• Season 12 is...
  • ... the first season since Season 6 to not have an eliminated contestant to return in any way.
    • Dahlia Sin did return for six cameo appearances after her elimination, but was never shown interacting with anyone.
  • ... the first season since Season 8 to not feature a returning queen from a previous season.
  • ... the first season since Season 8 to not have a contestant with the last name "O'Hara" or "Davenport".
  • ... the sixth season in a row to have the contestant placing 5th receive positive critiques the episode preceding their elimination (with the exception of Season 9). BenDeLaCreme, Katya, Derrick Barry, Miz Cracker, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and Jackie Cox all were in the top in the episode before their elimination.
  • ... the season with the second youngest cast, with an average age of 28.4 (behind Season 2's 27.8).
    • It has been noticed that Manila Luzon lied about her age while filming Season 3, stating she was 25 instead of 28. This would make Season 3's actual average age 28.1, and thus still having the youngest cast.
  • ... the first regular season after Season 9 to feature ten contestants on the Snatch Game.
  • ... the first season since Season 8 to have a Top 3 for the finale.
• Season 12 has...
  • ... the most queens taking part in a Ball, with twelve.
  • ... the most looks shown on the runway in one episode, with 36, in Episode 4.
    • Season 10 and 11 previously held this record, both with eleven contestants presenting a total of 33 looks.
• Despite being named Maria the Robot, Gigi Goode's Snatch Game character was based on Sophia the Robot. The character's name was changed presumably to avoid copyright restrictions.
• According to Jackie Cox, the runway theme for the pre-season runway walk video is "Urban Streetwear with a Political/Protest vibe."
• Jackie Cox, Nicky Doll, and Dahlia Sin are the only contestants whose individual promo photo is different from the group promo photo.
• Season 12 bears multiple similarities to Season 6:
  • The premiere is split into two parts.
  • The eventual Miss Congeniality is a part of the first group of queens.
  • The first challenge featuring the full cast was an acting challenge.
• Four contestants of Season 12 are drag-related to previous Drag Race alumni:
  • Dahlia Sin is Aja's drag daughter.
  • Widow Von'Du is Monique Heart's drag sister.
  • Jan is Alexis Michelle's drag daughter.
  • Jaida Essence Hall is Dida Ritz's and Mercedes Iman Diamond's drag sister, and Soju's drag aunt.
• 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. 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 had been filmed.
• Jaida Essence Hall and Heidi N Closet are considered to be the lip-sync assassins of Season 12.
  • Jaida won three lip-syncs throughout the season: she defeated Sherry Pie in their Top 2 lip-sync, sent Heidi N Closet home, and won the lip-sync for the crown thus eliminating Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode.
  • Heidi also won three lip-syncs: she sent home Nicky Doll and Brita, and was part of a double shantay alongside Jackie Cox.
  • Never before has a regular season winner or a Miss Congeniality been considered their season's Lip Sync Assassin, making Jaida and Heidi the first and only winners of their respective titles to have won the most lip-syncs in their season.
• It was revealed in the first episode of Season 13 that Tamisha Iman was cast on Season 12 but was forced to forego competing on the season because of her colon cancer diagnosis. After she recovered, however, she was asked to return for Season 13.
  • Kandy Muse was also cast on Season 12, but ended up dropping out for personal reasons and was replaced by her drag sister Dahlia Sin.