The glitz, the drama, the lip-sync battles – RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 is serving everything we love and more.
With an all-new twist, the Badonka Dunk Tank, eliminations this season have been a rollercoaster of shock, second chances, and some truly unforgettable exits. Who sashayed away, and who lived to slay another day?
From stand-up flops to jaw-dropping runway departures, let’s break down who went home, why, and which queens managed to dunk their way back into the competition.
1Episode 1: Happy happy!
As per Drag Race tradition, the first episode was a free pass for all 14 queens.
While no one was sent packing, the competition kicked off with the infamous Rate-A-Queen twist, where half of the cast ranked the performances of their fellow queens.
This setup, while not sending anyone home, certainly planted the seeds for future rivalries.
2Episode 2: Hormona Lisa (but there’s a twist!)
Episode 2 saw Hormona Lisa in the bottom, battling it out in the first lip-sync of the season. Despite being hand-picked by RuPaul for the competition, her stand-up act failed to land with both the judges and her fellow queens.
But just as she prepared for an early exit, the Badonka Dunk Tank twist changed the game. After a nerve-wracking decision, Hormona pulled the right lever – sending Michelle Visage plunging into the tank and securing herself another week in the race.
3Episode 3: Lucky Starzzz missed the Zazz?
Luck ran out for Lucky Starzzz in Episode 3, as she failed to dazzle in the Monopulence challenge. While her name may have suggested otherwise, she couldn’t escape elimination after landing in the bottom two.
Her runway farewell – delivered with a drawn-out “Starz-z-z-zah!” – was as dramatic as it was iconic, but it wasn’t enough to save her from elimination.
4Episode 4: Joella
The next to leave was Joella, a queen known for her confidence and presence in the L.A. drag scene. However, her self-assured attitude didn’t translate into performance success, and she was ultimately asked to sashay away.
Joella’s final words reflected her deep connection to her local drag community, though some fans felt her bold proclamations clashed with the judges’ critiques.
5Episode 5: Arrietty’s Badonka Dunk Moment
Yes! Arrietty, who ended up in the bottom in Episode 5, found herself in a high-stakes moment. After a less-than-stellar showing in the RDR Live! sketch comedy challenge, she pulled the last remaining lever that could save her.
The result? Another dunk for Michelle Visage and another week for Arrietty. Unfortunately for the rest of the queens, this exhausted the twist’s magic – meaning there would be no more second chances going forward.
6Episode 6: Hormona Lisa (no Badonka Dunk this time)
Fate came knocking once more for Hormona Lisa, who had previously been saved by the twist. This time, there were no levers to pull – just a fierce Let’s Get Sea Sickening Ball lip-sync that didn’t go in her favor.
Her final exit line? A cheeky yet biting, “Rot in hell. Thanks a lot.” But her mirror message softened the blow: “Punkins, never stop dreaming. Never stop shining.”
7Episode 7: Crystal Envy’s Shocker
Episode 7 saw Crystal Envy take her final bow, much to the surprise of fans. With a strong start in the competition, many expected her to go further.
However, one misstep in the challenge proved costly, and she was sent packing. Crystal’s exit left a major impact, reminding everyone that in Drag Race, one bad week can send even the most polished queen home.
8Episode 8: Acacia Forgot
Acacia Forgot became the tenth queen eliminated in Episode 8: The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical! Struggling with choreography and failing to embody her character’s essence, she landed in the bottom two.
Despite a spirited lip-sync battle, the judges felt her performance lacked the energy needed to stay in the competition. Her runway look -a futuristic emerald gown – was praised but couldn’t save her.
As she bid farewell, Acacia confidently declared, “You can now find my new single on all streaming platforms,” turning her exit into a promotional moment. Though gone, her charisma and musical talent left a lasting impression.
Who will be next to sashay away?
With the competition heating up and second chances no longer on the table, every queen is fighting to stay. The eliminations so far have been a mix of unexpected twists, jaw-dropping moments, and emotional goodbyes.
Who will rise to the top, and who will be next to sashay away? Stay tuned – this season is just getting started!
About RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race is a reality competition series produced by World of Wonder, where drag queens compete to earn the title of “America’s next drag superstar.”
Hosted and judged by RuPaul, the show tasks contestants with weekly creative challenges – ranging from fashion design to comedy, acting, and performance – hat test their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. A panel including RuPaul, Michelle Visage, rotating judges (Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, Ts Madison, Law Roach), and guest judges critiques their progress. The series’ title and theme draw inspiration from drag racing, reflected in its opening sequence and music.
Originally airing on Logo TV (Seasons 1–8), the show later moved to VH1 (Seasons 9–14) and MTV (Season 15 onward), with international availability via WOW Presents Plus. Its success has spawned spin-offs like All Stars, Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and Global All Stars, as well as international editions in over 15 countries. Companion series Untucked provides behind-the-scenes content.
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