RuPaul’s Drag Race star Sherry Pie has issued a public apology after five men came forward to accuse the performer of catfishing online.
The queen – real name Joey Gugliemelli – is alleged to have posed as a casting director asking the men to perform embarrassing things on camera under the guise of an audition.
In a lengthy Facebook post, one of the accusers, Ben Shimkus, said he was asked to perform things that were “particularly sexual and awkward”.
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.
Responding to the allegations on Facebook, Gugliemelli wrote: “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.”
Gugliemelli also apologised to the cast and crew of RuPaul’s Drag Race, adding: “I also want to say how sorry I am to my sisters of season 12 and honestly the whole network and production company.
“All I can do is change the behaviour and that starts with me and doing that work.”
HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for RuPaul’s Drag Race for comment and is awaiting a response.
Gugliemelli is due to make his debut as Sherry Pie in the second episode of the 12th season of Drag Race, which will air on Netflix UK from Saturday morning.
The show was pre-recorded prior to allegations made against Gugliemelli coming to light, so it is likely Sherry Pie will still feature in the rest of the series.