We’ve gotten to witness half of the brand new “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 17 dolls deliver their best talent, and as they re-enter the Werk Room for Episode 2, Acacia Forgot is disheartened that not only is in the bottom, but she was the only one who took the chance to sing an original song live on stage. Conversely, Suzie Toot enjoyed her own toe-tapping soar to victory and received tremendous accolades from her fellow competitors.
The second half of the Season 17 cast — Crystal Envy, Hormona Lisa, Kori King, Lana Ja’Rae, Lexi Love, Onya Nurve, and Sam Star — were preparing to hit the stage while the queens that took the stage last week — Acacia Forgot, Suzie Toot, Arrietty, Jewels Sparkles, Lucky Starzzz, and Lydia B. Kollins — all prepared to judge this week’s roster of queens during the second part of “Drag Queens Got Talent.” The contestants received a pop in visit from “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 2 winner Lawrence Chaney who cheekily announced this week’s runway theme: “Is It Cake?” We also see hints of queens starting to truly click, among them Kori King and Lydia B. Collins as well as Arrietty and Lucky Starzzz. There is also a very intriguing and double entrendre filled discussion on camping, and who would be taking the “top bunk or the bottom bunk.” We also start to see behind the lashes and makeup, with Onya Nurve speaking about her struggles to get close to queens in her hometown of Cleveland.
We headed to the Main Stage and RuPaul was joined by Michelle Visage, Ts Madison and recording artist Doechii. The runway kicked off and immediately showcased a bit too much Marie Antoinette-inspired looks for Michelle Visage’s liking along with several queens who definitely showcased their own individuality within their looks.
Envy updated the Coppertone baby for 2025 (complete with accompanying dog, the aptly named Roof-Paul) while Love strutted onto the runway with an actual holographic television on her face! The cakes were on full display and the dolls kept with the theme, with some queens revealing their own personal cakes at times. Hometown favorite Toot’s look was particularly inspired, transforming a Shakespearean look that after a dose of a “love potion” transformed her into the most stunning donkey seen on the runway in Drag Race herstory (also maybe the first donkey ever on the runway). Nurve strutted down the runway looking completely “peachy” while Kori King emerged replicating a famed Drag Race All Star’s famous looks.
“Drag Queens Got Talent” kicked off with Sam Star lip-syncing an original country/pop song with a particularly raucous “Yes Haw” and a soaring ending off of a hay bale. Nurve delivered a rapid fire two-step performance, while Envy delivered an instantly infectious original song. Hormona Lisa’s stand-up performance was a bit of a stretch (her Instagram post later in the week added some much-needed context to the performance) and King definitely “shook things up" with her performance. Love was a whip smart wonder on roller skates and Lana Ja’Rae’s talent was the best parts of NYC drag combined into one rapid fire talent.
This week’s lip syncs kicked off with Envy and Love taking the top spots and going head-to-head in a battle of the dolls with an absolutely scorching performance of Doechii’s “Alter Ego.” Not only did they turn out the lip sync on screen, but they created the first viral lip sync of the season. Lexi ended up snagging the victory in a much deserved win (and they helped send Doechii’s song to the top of the streaming charts last week). The bottom two of the week were Hormona Lisa and Acacia, who took on Ariana Grande’s “Yes And” in the first Lip Sync For Your Life of the season. Hormona had a sultry take on the anthem, while Acacia was definitely more charged, (complete with a blush brush emerging from the most unexpected, yet clever areas). Accaia ended up taking the win, which put Hormona Lisa in the position to “sashay away.”
But it would not be “RuPaul’s Drag Race” without one surprise twist. RuPaul asked Hormona Lisa if she’s “feeling lucky” and the rest of the queens and Lisa alike appear perplexed. It is then revealed that Michelle Visage is hoisted high above the main stage above a dunk tank; the newly minted (and brilliantly punned) Badonka Dunk Tank. Ten random levers are rolled out onto the main stage and to remain in the competition, Lisa needs to pull the one that will drop Visage (in full drag by the way) into the water. After some weighing of the odds (and licking one of the levers for extra measure), Lisa chose the correct level, which saw Visage plunk directly into the tank below (leopard bathing suit and all). And with that, Lisa was “safe to slay another day!”
Follow RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 on Instagram @rupaulsdragrace.
