It’s official: RuPaul’s Drag Race is returning to television for season 12 with an expected release date for the first half of 2020. If the franchise follows the pattern of the last two years, the 12th season should start shortly after All-Stars 5, which was also confirmed during the same announcement from VH1 and World of Wonder.
Following the 14 Emmy nominations for Drag Race season 11 and All-Stars 4, it is safe to say that this franchise has become a massive mainstream juggernaut with both critical and commercial acclaim. What’s more, RuPaul shows no signs of slowing down, as the queen is already readying a U.K. version, due to air in October, and a Canadian version, which is currently in pre-production.
Curious about which queens will be on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12? Well, the time has come for us to walk you through the rumors!
Vicky Vox
Vicky Vox has been somewhat associated with the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise for many, many years, as this L.A. queen was part of the pop group known as DWV alongside Willam, a season 4 contestant, and Detox, a season 5 contestant. Together, DWV released the 2013 gay anthem “Boy Is A Bottom,” which was a parody of the Alicia Keys single “Girl On Fire.”
Given that Willam and Detox were such iconic Drag Race contestants, it comes without saying that it’s been long overdue for Vicky Vox to also join the franchise herself. As it turns out, Vicky did disappear from her social media accounts around mid-July, which was the rumored time of filming, which indicates that she may indeed be on season 12.
Brita Filter
Straight from New York City, Brita Filter disappeared from Instagram around July 22, giving us strong indication that she might’ve been cast on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12.
Among her credits, Brita Filter won the NYC Entertainer of the Year award in 2018 and is known as one of the stars of Fusion TV’s Shade: Queens of NYC. What’s more, this queen was part of a Broad City episode that featured former Drag Race contestants such as Sasha Velour, Jiggly Caliente, and Shangela.
Because Brita Filter is from NYC, she has been worked with several well-known queens from the Big Apple that were previously on Drag Race, including Peppermint, Aquaria, Acid Betty, and Alexis Michelle.
Jan Sport
The drag queen known as Jan Sport—yes, like the backpack brand—disappeared from Instagram and even deleted her Facebook account altogether in July. Needless to say, the rumors regarding this queen being on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race are quite strong. Ultimately, Jan Sport is best known as one-third of the girl band Stephanie’s Child, which has grown to great prominence in recent years.
Jan Sport’s most prominent drag connection is season 9 contestant Alexis Michelle, who is her drag mother. Moreover, because they are both from New York City, Jan Sport and Brita Filter have been seen together a few times and certainly already know each other pre-Drag Race—if they are both indeed cast on season 12.
Sherry Pie
Sherry Pie is another New York City queen with strong rumors of being part of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12. Besides being a compelling entertainer, Sherry is known for her work as an activist who often fights for the LGBT community. Even all the way back in 2016, she was chosen as one of the hosts for NYC Pride.
This legendary queen is closely associated with other fellow New York queens such as Miz Cracker and Alexis Michelle. A self-professed ‘glampy’ queen, Sherry Pie is certainly going to bring creativity and laughter to the main stage of Drag Race if she was indeed cast on season 12.
Gigi Goode
Los Angeles queen Gigi Goode comes from Scandinavian heritage and is a fashion illustrator. Mostly known for her aesthetic, Gigi will bring her high fashion sensibilities to VH1 if she is indeed cast on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Gigi Goode has been spotted alongside other California queens such as Pearl, Detox, and Naomi Smalls, as well as fashion designers and models. If Drag Race happens for Gigi, it would come as no surprise for the queen to also create a parallel career out of drag that resembles Milk’s success as a male model.
Jackie Cox
Another well-known NYC queen that is poised to join RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 is Jackie Cox, who is of Persian descent. The rumors that she was cast on the show come from the fact that this queen completely disappeared from social media since mid-July.
Following the success of the 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin, Jackie Cox embraced her Persian roots and impersonated the character of Jasmine during several events this year. What’s more, it is important to note that this queen has been known for her great singing abilities. In 2019, Jackie was chosen to impersonate TV personality Lisa Rinna from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for Bravo’s Pride Parade float.
6
When the Drag Race season 12 rumors started coming out, 6 wasn’t necessarily a queen who was on the fans’ radars. However, over time, the rumors regarding this queen’s casting have only grown.
6 is known for working in the club circuit in Los Angeles and for being a ‘muscle queen’ when out of drag (Kameron Michaels of season 12!?). In 2019, 6 was featured on the music video for “So Lucky” by Eden and got to meet Sam Smith during one of her performances.
Jaida Essence Hall
One queen who is poised to bring the glamour and the beauty to Drag Race season 12 is Jaida Essence Hall, who resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All in all, Jaida is known as a pageant queen who has worked alongside season 11 contestant Mercedes Iman Diamond and season 9 contestant Alexis Michelle.
Other very popular Wisconsin queens who have been on RuPaul’s Drag Race include Trixie Mattel, Max, and Jaymes Mansfield. Will Jaida Essence Hall follow in their footsteps and sissy that walk on season 12?
Nicky Doll
One of the biggest Drag Race season 12 rumors surrounds Nicky Doll’s casting. Born in Marseilles, France, Nicky is a self-described life-sized 90s doll who is now based in New York City.
Among her connections within the RuPaul’s Drag Race universe, Nicky Doll has been seen working with season 9 contestant Kimora Blac various times, as well as Brooke Lynn Hytes, Aja, and Farrah Moan. Given that she disappeared from social media around mid-July, rumor has it that Nicky Doll will indeed be on season 12 of Drag Race.
Widow Von'Du
Widow Von’Du considers both Kansas City, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma as home, and is rumored to be bringing her extravaganza to the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race on season 12.
This queen, who proudly calls herself a ‘big girl,’ has performed in clubs at Kansas City with numerous past Drag Race contestant, having a long history of knowing these queens throughout the years. If she is indeed on season 12, Widow Von’Du would already walk into the set as a legendary queen in the community.