Tamron Hall defended his interview on Tuesday with drag queen Sherry Pie after being criticized for giving the artist a platform after admitting sexual misconduct.
The 50-year-old presenter told the Tamron Hall Show audience before the interview aired that it should not be considered as a promotion of the 29-year-old drag queen, real name Joey Gugliemelli.
“I’ve been a reporter for 30 years and I conducted and watched interviews with people who did bad things. I interviewed rapists, I interviewed murderers … you’re not revealing your platform; it’s called an interview. And people who do bad things are interviewed, ‘Tamron told the audience.
In defense: Tamron Hall defended his interview on Tuesday with drag queen Sherry Pie after being criticized for giving the artist a platform after admitting sexual misconduct
Sherry was disqualified from the 12th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race after admitting sexual misconduct after allegations by several men who claimed they were caught by Gugliemelli posing as a casting director.
Gugliemelli admitted the behavior and apologized.
– We believe in the men who declared about Sherry Pie. We believe in being fair and do not offer free passes. … I don’t give free passes, ‘said Tamron.
The daytime host said she and her producers conducted the interview ‘without conditions’.
Deaf to sounds: Tamron faced a negative reaction for giving the artist (whose real name is Joey Gugliemelli) a platform after he admitted sexual misconduct, which disqualified him from the 12th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (portrayed in February 2020)
“We don’t offer an opportunity to promote a book, a podcast, anything that could be seen as profitable,” said Tamron.
Tamron’s defense of the interview came after a reaction on social media after she logged on Twitter on Monday to provoke a segment with Sherry.
The Daytime Emmy said in the clip: ‘At the next Tamron Hall, one of the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s escape, Sherry Pie, left the show after being hit by obscene accusations by fishermen. For the first time, Sherry Pie cleans up. What really happened, at the next Tamron Hall.
At least five men came forward last March, claiming that Gugliemelli convinced them to send embarrassing audiotapes, one even admitting that he let Gugliemelli film him masturbating.
Gugliemelli did not deny the accusations, posting an apology on Facebook: ‘This is Joey, I want to start by saying how sorry I am for causing so much trauma and pain and how terribly ashamed and disgusted with myself.
Exclusive interview: The 50-year-old said in the clip: ‘In the next Tamron Hall, one of the stars of the RuPaul’s Drag Race getaway, Sherry Pie, was kicked out of the show after being hit by obscene accusations of cat-fishing men’
Catfish allegations: it happens after Gugliemelli, 29, faced a wave of accusations from several men, who said he caught them, posing as casting director
Speaking: at least five men performed last March, claiming that he convinced them to send embarrassing audiotapes, one even admitting that he let Gugliemelli film him masturbating (photo in February 2020)
‘I know that the pain and hurt that I caused will never go away and I know that what I did was wrong and truly cruel. Until I was at the RuPaul Drag Race, I never really understood how much my mental health and taking care of things meant. I learned on that show how important it is to “love yourself” and I don’t think I ever did.
He continued: ‘I have been seeking help and receiving treatment since I returned to New York. I really apologize to everyone I hurt by my actions. I also want to say how much I feel for my sisters in season 12 and, honestly, for the entire network and producer. All I can do is change my behavior and it starts with me and doing this job. ‘
The native New Yorker was later disqualified, after filming for the season had already been completed.
VH1 banned him from both the meeting and the final, where he was supposed to compete for the crown, as part of the first four.
Public apologies: Gugliemelli did not deny the accusations, posting an apology on Facebook, which disqualified him, after filming for the season had already been completed
Disqualified: VH1 banned him from both the meeting and the final, where he was supposed to compete for the crown, as part of the first four (photo in February 2020)
They also took steps to minimize their screen time, as well as including a warning before each episode that explained their disqualification.
Many on Twitter pointed to Hall for giving Gugliemelli a platform to rehabilitate his image after he has already admitted his guilt.
Jackie Cox (real name: Darius Rose), 35, who also competed in the 12th season of the competition’s hit series, posted a long statement to Twitter.
She wrote in part: ‘Being an artist and a public person is not a right, it is a privilege. Sherry has waived this privilege for his actions. Giving Sherry a spotlight without the forethought of reaching victims is irresponsible, immoral and wrong. I stay with the victims of Sherry’s actions. ‘
David Mack, who released the story to Buzzfeed last year, wrote in Twitter: ‘I am the reporter who first wrote about Sherry Pie. There are things here that suggest a worrying lack of research (accusations? She admitted the behavior), but the biggest thing is that a victim has already contacted me in danger, as it seems that there was no effort to listen to them.
Companion: Many on Twitter pointed to Hall for giving Gugliemelli a platform to rehabilitate his image after he has already admitted his guilt, including Jackie Cox (real name: Darius Rose), 35, who also competed in season 12 of the successful competition Series
Lack of research: David Mack, who released the story to Buzzfeed last year, also accessed Twitter with a statement
No thanks: Ben Shimkus, one of the first accusers to speak up, clarified on Twitter that he was contacted for the show, but refused to participate
Ben Shimkus, one of the first accusers to appear, clarified about Twitter that he was contacted for the show, but refused to participate.
He wrote: ‘Just to make it clear, I spoke to the producers at @TamronHallShow and told them that I and the 20 victims I spoke to today do NOT want them to broadcast a segment with Sherry Pie. They will transmit despite all of our requests.
Meanwhile, Gugliemelli broke his silence on social media, taking Instagram his first post since the scandal broke, promoting the interview.
He wrote: ‘It has been a long year learning to recognize my many unforgivable mistakes. I will be sharing my story, reflecting on my shameful actions and working to make amends live at THE TAMRON HALL SHOW tomorrow, 10am EST @tamronhallshow ‘
Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race at Stan in Australia.
Breaking his silence: Meanwhile, Gugliemelli broke his silence on social media, taking Instagram his first post since the scandal broke, promoting the interview