Joey Gugliemelli, a contestant on the new season of hit reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race USA has apologised after he was accused of catfishing five young actors.
In a Facebook post, Gugliemelli, who is better known by his drag persona “Sherry Pie”, said he was “embarrassed and disgusted” by his actions.
The drag star is alleged to have pretended to be a casting director, asking young actors to do degrading things on camera. One of the men recorded himself performing a sex act.
“Catfishing” is the act of impersonating someone else, real or fictional, online. The term originated in the 2010 documentary Catfish.
“I want to start by saying how sorry I am that I caused such trauma and pain,” wrote the reality star.
He continued: “I know that what I did was wrong and truly cruel.”
“I also want to say how sorry I am to my sisters of [Drag Race] season 12 and honestly the whole network and production company.”
Although season 12 is yet to air, every episode has been pre-recorded, so it is possible that Gugliemelli will remain in the show until the finale.
