VH1 should cancel this season of RuPaul's Drag Race in wake of Sherry Pie catfishing controversy

The Advocate

Sherry Pie, aka Joey Gugliemelli, was disqualified Friday following Buzzfeed's report that she had catfished five aspiring actors (a number that was later expanded to seven men) and sexually exploited them while posing as a casting director. Sherry Pie will still appear this season, but won't be invited to the grand finale filming later this spring. As Daniel Reynolds argues, that punishment doesn't go far enough. "Gugliemelli will still appear in multiple episodes of Drag Race this season," says Reynolds. "Thus, every ounce of praise from the judges, every gag-worthy moment, every follower Gugliemelli receives on social media will be thanks to the decision of VH1 to give someone facing multiple allegations of misconduct a platform. Gugliemelli will have weeks to win over America on network TV, and many viewers may not even be aware of the serious allegations against him. Additionally, the show's casting is already facing heated criticism from Drag Race alumni about the absence of trans contestants. The recurring presence of Gugliemelli will do it no favors. This decision not to cancel season 12 would be particularly egregious in the #MeToo era, when so many brave individuals have come forward to name those who harmed them and demand a systemic response for change. While all survivors fight to be believed, men face their own unique hurdles in telling stories of sexual harassment due to stigma and feeling 'left out' of the movement." ALSO: Sherry Pie's apology for catfishing was essentially a "non-apology apology."