Joey Gugliemelli, aka Sherry Pie, has been disqualified from the current series of RuPaul’s Drag Race following multiple “catfish” allegations.
The drag star is alleged to have posed as a casting director asking five men to perform embarrassing things on camera under the guise of an audition.
One of the accusers, Ben Shimkus, said he was asked to perform things that were “particularly sexual and awkward”, while another man, Josh Lillyman, told Buzzfeed News he had agreed to record himself performing a sex act, believing he was trying out for a role in a show.
Gugliemelli appears in season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which kicked off last weekend, but has now been disqualified.
A statement on behalf of network VH1 and production company World Of Wonder said: “In light of recent developments and Sherry Pie’s statement, Sherry Pie has been disqualified from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“Out of respect for the hard work of the other queens, VH1 will air the season as planned.
“Sherry will not appear in the grand finale scheduled to be filmed later this spring.”
The season premiered on Netflix UK last weekend, but Gugliemelli will not appear in the grand finale, which is due to be filmed in the coming weeks.
After the catfishing allegations came to light, the 27-year-old issued a statement apologising for his behaviour.
“I want to start by saying how sorry I am that I caused such trauma and pain.
“I know that the pain and hurt that I have caused will never go away and I know that what I did was wrong and truly cruel.
“Until being on RuPaul’s Drag Race, I never really understood how much my mental health and taking care of things meant.
“I learned on that show how important ‘loving yourself’ is and I don’t think I have ever loved myself. I have been seeking help and receiving treatment since coming back to NYC. I truly apologise to everyone I have hurt with my actions.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 streams on Netflix in the UK.