The twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on February 28 and concluded on May 29, 2020. The competition was broadcast on VH1 in the United States and saw 13 new queens competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". VH1 renewed both RuPaul's Drag Race and its spin-off RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars for a twelfth and fifth season respectively on August 19, 2019. At the time of the renewal the Drag Race franchise had earned VH1 a total of 14 Emmy nominations. Casting calls were opened in January 2019 while the cast was revealed by season 11 winner Yvie Oddly on January 23, 2020.
Crystal Methyd is the stage name of Cody D. Harness, an American drag performer who competed on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Her name refers to crystal meth.
Gigi Goode is an American drag queen, fashion designer, and reality television personality known for being a runner-up on the twelfth season of the drag competition series RuPaul's Drag Race. Following her appearance on Drag Race, Goode was cast in the Drive 'N Drag concert series, appeared in multiple music videos, and participated in a Savage X Fenty fashion show. In 2020, she received a People's Choice Award in the Competition Contestant category. Originally from Illinois, Goode attended Millikin University and, as of 2020, lives in Los Angeles.
Heidi N Closet is the stage name of Trevien Anthonie Cheek, an American drag queen from Ramseur, North Carolina, best known for competing on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she placed 6th and won the Miss Congeniality award. She returned to the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, but decided to quit the competition early, citing her mental health and wellbeing as the reason for her withdrawal.
Jackie Cox is the stage name of Darius Rose, a Canadian drag queen based in New York City, known for being a competitor on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and ultimately placing 5th in the competition.
Jared Johnson, best known by the stage name Jaida Essence Hall, is an American drag queen and reality television personality best known for winning the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and later returning to compete on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an all-winners season. Since her season aired in 2020, Hall has been a staple of several domestic and international tours that feature Drag Race contestants, including Werq the World, A Drag Queen Christmas, and Drive 'N Drag. In October 2020, Johnson was a featured performer in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol. 2.
Jan Sport, sometimes known simply as Jan, is the stage name of Charlie Mantione, an American drag queen and singer based in New York City, who came to international attention on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. On May 26, 2021, she was announced as one of the 13 contestants on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she placed 7th overall.
Joseph "Joey" Gugliemelli, best known by the stage name Sherry Pie, is an American drag performer most known for being disqualified from the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
"I'm That Bitch" is the first episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on February 28, 2020. Nicki Minaj is a guest judge. Widow Von'Du wins the main challenge, and no one is eliminated from the competition.
"You Don't Know Me" is the second episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 6, 2020. Thandie Newton and Robyn are guest judges. Jaida Essence Hall wins the main challenge, and no one is eliminated from the competition.
"World's Worst" is the third episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 13, 2020. Olivia Munn is a guest judge. Sherry Pie wins the episode's main challenge, and Dahlia Sin is eliminated from the competition.
"The Ball Ball" is the fourth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 20, 2020. Leslie Jones is a guest judge. Gigi Goode wins the mini-challenge and the main challenge, and Rock M. Sakura is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync against Brita to "S&M" (2011) by Rihanna.
Digital Drag Fest was a digital drag concert series hosted by Producer Entertainment Group. Beginning on March 27, 2020, it was originally supposed to be a limited engagement until April 12 but, due to overwhelming demand, the series was extended to May 30. The aim of the series is to allow drag and LGBTQ performers who have had shows cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic a chance to perform for their fans. 50 percent of the proceeds from the event's merchandise would be donated to GLAAD, and several performers from the event also pledged a portion of their ticket sales to the organization.
"Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical" is the seventh episode of the twelfth season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired on VH1 on April 10, 2020. The episode has contestants perform a musical about Madonna for the main challenge. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Winnie Harlow serve as guest judges, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.
"Choices 2020" is the ninth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Rachel Bloom and Jeff Goldblum are guest judges.
"Superfan Makeover" is the tenth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 1, 2020. The episode's main challenge has contestants give makeovers to "superfans" of the show. Daisy Ridley is a guest judge. Jaida Essence Hall wins the challenge. Heidi N Closet and Jackie Cox in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync, but neither is eliminated from the competition.
"One-Queen Show" is the eleventh episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 8, 2020. Whoopi Goldberg is a guest judge on the episode.
"Viva Drag Vegas" is the twelfth episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The episode focuses on the Las Vegas show RuPaul's Drag Race Live!
The eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars premiered on Paramount+ on May 12, 2023. The series continues with RuPaul as host and judge, with returning judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews joined by Ts Madison on the judging panel. The season's premiere date was announced in a brief teaser trailer aired during the finale of the fifteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The cast was revealed on April 20.
"Gay's Anatomy" is the fifth episode of the twelfth season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race. The episode, directed by Nick Murray, first aired on March 27, 2020, through American cable network VH1. It was followed by an episode of the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.
