Look, we need to talk about RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12. Honestly, it’s the season that should have been a total disaster. Everything that could have gone wrong basically did. You had a massive disqualification scandal right before the premiere, a global pandemic that literally locked the doors of every gay bar in the world, and a finale that had to be filmed in the queens’ living rooms. But somehow, it became the gold standard for modern Drag Race. It’s wild.
People usually point to Season 5 or 6 as the "glory days," but Season 12 has this weird, untouchable magic. It was the first time since the early Logo TV years that the show felt human again. We weren't just watching "brands" in wigs; we were watching people survive a crisis in real-time.
The Sherry Pie Scandal and the Re-Edit That Saved the Show
Before the first episode even finished airing, the show was hit with a bombshell. News broke that Sherry Pie (Joey Gugliemelli) had been accused of "catfishing" several actors by posing as a casting director. It was dark. It was serious. VH1 and World of Wonder acted fast—they disqualified her immediately.
But there was a problem.
The season was already filmed. She had made it to the Top 4. Imagine the nightmare in the editing room. The editors had to basically "ghost" a finalist. They cut her out of confessionals, blurred her where they could, and minimized her presence so much that she became a background character.
It worked.
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The focus shifted entirely to the other queens. We got more time with Heidi N Closet’s infectious personality and Crystal Methyd’s bizarre, wonderful creativity. If Sherry had stayed the "main character" of the edit, we might have missed the nuance of the rest of the cast. The show was forced to pivot from drama-heavy storytelling to talent-focused celebration.
This Cast Was Just Built Different
Seriously, the talent level in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 was off the charts. You had Jaida Essence Hall, who is basically the definition of "pageant excellence" but with a goofy, down-to-earth streak that made her impossible not to root for. Then you had Gigi Goode, a literal fashion prodigy who swept the first half of the season.
And don't even get me started on the "Look at that!" energy of Heidi N Closet.
The diversity of drag styles was the best we'd seen in years. We had the high-concept weirdness of Crystal Methyd (who RuPaul famously compared to El DeBarge), the classic New York camp of Jan, and the political, high-brow performance art of Jackie Cox. It wasn't just about who could do the best Kardashian impression. It was about who had a perspective.
The Stats Don't Lie
If you look at the track records, this was one of the most competitive seasons ever.
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- Gigi Goode grabbed 4 challenge wins.
- Jaida Essence Hall took home 3.
- Even the queens who didn't win, like Jan and Widow Von’Du, were consistently "High" or winning challenges early on.
It wasn’t a one-horse race. Up until the very last second of the finale, fans were genuinely torn between the Top 3. That’s rare. Usually, by the time we get to the finale, the winner is obvious. In Season 12? It was anyone’s game.
Surviving the "Zoom" Era
When the world shut down in March 2020, the entertainment industry panicked. Drag Race was mid-air. We all wondered: "How are they going to finish this?"
The Reunion and the Finale were filmed remotely. It sounds like it would be boring, right? Just a bunch of people on a webcam? Surprisingly, it was the opposite. The "Alone Together" reunion felt like a sleepover with your best friends. We saw the queens in their natural habitats. We saw their real bedrooms.
The finale was a stroke of genius. Instead of a massive theater in Los Angeles, the queens performed lip-syncs from their homes. Crystal Methyd’s "Like a Bird" performance with the vomit-bird-baby thing? Iconic. It was DIY drag at its finest. It reminded us that you don't need a $10,000 budget and a stage crew to make art. You just need a green screen and a dream.
Why Jaida Essence Hall Was the Perfect Winner
Jaida winning felt like a shift in the universe. She was the first "traditional" pageant queen to win in a long time, but she didn't feel "old school." She felt modern. She made all her own outfits. She was her own hair stylist. She was her own makeup artist.
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In a season defined by a pandemic and social unrest, Jaida represented excellence through perseverance. When she won from her living room, wearing a gown she probably sewed herself, it felt like a win for the whole community. It was the "Look Over There!" heard 'round the world.
The "Robbed" Narrative and the Jan of it All
We have to talk about Jan. The "Jan Crack" is one of the most famous memes in the history of the show. When she lost the musical challenge to Gigi Goode, her face became the universal symbol for "I am screaming on the inside."
Fans still debate if Jan was robbed. But that's the beauty of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12. Everyone was so good that every elimination felt like a tragedy. When Rock M. Sakura left early? Heartbreaking. When Nicky Doll went home? We lost a fashion icon. The stakes were high because the talent was high.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Season 12, don't just re-watch the episodes. There is so much more "lore" to uncover.
- Watch the "Whatcha Packin’" segments. These interviews with Michelle Visage actually give the queens a chance to show off the outfits they never got to wear on the runway. It’s a masterclass in fashion design.
- Check out "The Pit Stop" with Bob the Drag Queen. Bob’s commentary on Season 12 is arguably some of the best content the official YouTube channel has ever produced. It adds a whole layer of meta-humor to the experience.
- Follow the Season 12 queens on social media. Most of them, like Gigi Goode and Crystal Methyd, have completely evolved their styles since 2020. Seeing their growth outside of the "pressure cooker" of the show is incredibly rewarding.
- Support your local drag scene. Season 12 taught us that drag thrives even when the lights are off. Find a local performer and show them some love—that's the real spirit of the show.
The legacy of this season isn't just the "Look Over There" meme or the fashion. It’s the fact that in the middle of a literal global crisis, a group of drag queens managed to keep us smiling. That's not just "reality TV." That's essential service.