Sharon Needles (born November 28, 1981) is the stage name of Aaron Robert Coady, an American drag performer and recording artist.

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Needles was subject to marked criticism in response to allegations of racially insensitive behavior and sexual misconduct.

[15] The season premiered on January 30, 2012, and with Needles winning the first challenge she became an instant stand-out for her "ghoulish" fashion sense and unconventional make-up choices.

"[17] Throughout the fourth season of Drag Race, Needles endeared herself to audiences and became a favorite of the media, judges, and viewers alike for her quick wit, confidence, humility and uniqueness, as well as for her "transgressive" aesthetic.

[8][23] In June 2012, Needles won the Facebook vote to appear as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, but declined, as the reigning champion, to participate in the competition.

[24] She also confirmed that her replacement in the competition would be fellow RuPaul's Drag U professor and the runner-up in the Facebook voting, Pandora Boxx.

[25] Needles also became the face of an advertising campaign by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals promoting vegetarianism,[26] appearing on billboards throughout the United States.

"[40] A former Drag Race producer named Needles as one of three former queens to be "one hundred percent banned" from the franchise, in part due to her racism and other allegations against her.

[41] In 2013, a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race, age 15 at the time, began speaking to Needles over FaceTime and social media.

After winning a RuPaul's Drag Race themed cruise, Needles allegedly gave the fan "shotguns of weed" and encouraged them to drink alcohol.

Michelle Visage was made aware of what happened and reported the actions to the production company of RuPaul's Drag Race.