# RuPaul's Drag Race season 17

The seventeenth season of the American reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on January 3rd, 2025. This marks the third season to air through cable network MTV. The series documents drag queen RuPaul in search of "The Next Drag Superstar" for the United States with a cash prize of $200,000.
Michelle Visage remained as a regular judge, alongside Carson Kressley, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews reappearing as alternating judges. Law Roach, who had previously appeared as a guest judge, made a reappearance as an alternating judge.

## Production
### Development

Throughout social media, the host RuPaul announced a casting call for drag performers to apply for the seventeenth season on October 30, 2023. The final deadline coincided with the premiere episode of season sixteen on January 5, 2024. Two months later, RuPaul published his memoir titled The House of Hidden Meanings and embarked on a book tour where he was given a flash drive containing an audition tape from drag queen Hormona Lisa. Just months after its sixteenth season concluding, American cable network MTV announced the series renewal, including the companion series, on August 16.

### Werkroom

As season sixteen received several nominations at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, many journalists had the opportunity to visit the main stage and the workroom set. Fans quickly realized the newly constructed set for the upcoming season with journalists for People witnessing previous contestants Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige and Morphine Love Dion using the main stage for a lip-sync contest. Architectural Digest released a video on August 22, where previous winner Nymphia Wind tours around the set with production designer Jen Chu explaining the scenery and inspiration for the series.

### Tribute

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported British drag performer The Vivienne, inaugurated winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019) and contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2022), had passed away on January 5, 2025. Subsequently, the second episode of the season featured an in memoriam segment dedicated to The Vivienne, following the regular credits on January 10.

## Marketing

A ten-second teaser was released on November 22, 2024, throughout social media, with RuPaul announcing the season premiering in January 2025. Nymphia Wind presented the contestants through the series official YouTube channel on December 4, showcasing their ocean-themed outfits and background.
Variety first reported on December 11 that spin-off winner Monét X Change will host The Pit Stop, a weekly webseries served as an aftershow. The first episode premiered through YouTube with alumni contestant Raven as the first guest on January 4, 2025.

## Format

The season's double premiere retained the same format as the previous season, where contestants rank each other based on their performances for the main challenge; this format parodies television series The Circle. A new format involved judge panelist Michelle Visage inside a dunk tank where during the bottom two, the eliminated contestant chooses one out of the ten random levers, which if successfully struck, would drop Visage into the water. The format rewards the contestant immunity; if they selected the incorrect lever, the contestant will be eliminated.

## Contestants

RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 contestants and their backgrounds :
| Contestant | Age | City | Outcome |
| Jewels Sparkles | 23 | Tampa, Florida | TBA |
| Lana Ja'Rae | 22 | New York City, New York | TBA |
| Lexi Love | 33 | Louisville, Kentucky | TBA |
| Onya Nurve | 31 | Cleveland, Ohio | TBA |
| Sam Star | 24 | Leeds, Alabama | TBA |
| Suzie Toot | 24 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | TBA |
| Lydia B Kollins | 23 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 7th place |
| Arrietty | 28 | Seattle, Washington | 8th place |
| Kori King | 24 | Boston, Massachusetts | 9th place |
| Acacia Forgot | 28 | Los Angeles, California | 10th place |
| Crystal Envy | 27 | Asbury Park, New Jersey | 11th place |
| Hormona Lisa | 30 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 12th place |
| Joella | 25 | Los Angeles, California | 13th place |
| Lucky Starzzz | 26 | Miami, Florida | 14th place |

## Contestant progress

Legend:
Contestants progress with placements in each episode :
| Contestant | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode | Episode |
| Contestant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Jewels Sparkles | TOP2 | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | BTM | SAFE | TBA |
| Lana Ja'Rae | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | TBA |
| Lexi Love | Guest | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | TBA |
| Onya Nurve | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | TBA |
| Sam Star | Guest | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | TBA |
| Suzie Toot | WIN | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | TBA |
| Lydia B Kollins | SAFE | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | WIN | ELIM | |
| Arrietty | SAFE | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | BDT | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | | |
| Kori King | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | | | |
| Acacia Forgot | BTM | Guest | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | | | | |
| Crystal Envy | Guest | TOP2 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | | | | | |
| Hormona Lisa | Guest | BDT | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | | | | | | |
| Joella | SAFE | Guest | BTM | ELIM | | | | | | | | |
| Lucky Starzzz | SAFE | Guest | ELIM | | | | | | | | | |

## Lip syncs

Legend:
| Episode | Top contestants | Top contestants | Top contestants | Song | Winner |
| 1 | Jewels Sparkles | vs. | Suzie Toot | "Woman's World" (Katy Perry) | Suzie Toot |
| 2 | Crystal Envy | vs. | Lexi Love | "Alter Ego" (Doechii, JT) | Lexi Love |
| 2 | Bottom contestants | Bottom contestants | Bottom contestants | Song | Eliminated |
| 2 | Acacia Forgot | vs. | Hormona Lisa | "Yes, And?" (Ariana Grande) | None |
| 3 | Joella | vs. | Lucky Starzzz | "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" (Paula Abdul) | Lucky Starzzz |
| 4 | Joella | vs. | Kori King | "Buttons" (The Pussycat Dolls ft. Snoop Dogg) | Joella |
| 5 | Arrietty | vs. | Lydia B Kollins | "Boogie Wonderland" (Earth, Wind & Fire, The Emotions) | None |
| 6 | Hormona Lisa | vs. | Lana Ja'Rae | "Get Him Back!" (Olivia Rodrigo) | Hormona Lisa |
| 7 | Crystal Envy | vs. | Lana Ja'Rae | "Hands to Myself" (Selena Gomez) | Crystal Envy |
| 8 | Acacia Forgot | vs. | Kori King | "Wet Dream" (Adam Lambert) | Acacia Forgot |
| 9 | Kori King | vs. | Lydia B Kollins | "Kiss Me Deadly" (Lita Ford) | Kori King |
| 10 | Arrietty | vs. | Jewels Sparkles | "Ya Ya" (Beyoncé) | Arrietty |
| 11 | Lana Ja'Rae | vs. | Lydia B Kollins | "Unholy" (Sam Smith, Kim Petras) | Lydia B Kollins |

## Guest judges

RuPaul and Michelle Visage remained as the regular judges, with Carson Kressley, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews reappearing as alternating judges. Various guest judges were revealed on December 12, and set to appear in the upcoming season. Law Roach was initially advertised as a guest judge but was later confirmed to be an alternating judge. Celebrities are listed in chronological order.
* Katy Perry, singer and television personality
* Doechii, rapper and singer
* Sandra Bernhard, actress, comedian and singer
* Julia Schlaepfer, actress
* Paul W. Downs, actor and writer
* Hunter Schafer, actress and model
* Quinta Brunson, actress and comedian
* Adam Lambert, singer and actor
* Jamal Sims, choreographer
* Betsey Johnson, fashion designer
* Whitney Cummings, actress and stand-up comedian
* Sam Smith, singer
* Jerrod Carmichael, actor, comedian and writer
* June Diane Raphael, actress and comedian
* Tracee Ellis Ross, actress

### Special guests

Special guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

#### Episode 1

* Angeria Paris VanMichaels, contestant on season 14, and winner of All Stars season 9
* Aura Mayari, contestant on season 15
* Bianca Del Rio, winner of season 6
* Honey Davenport, contestant on season 11
* Jaymes Mansfield, contestant on season 9 and All Stars season 8
* Kerri Colby, contestant on season 14
* Kimora Blac, contestant on season 9
* Kylie Sonique Love, contestant on season 2 and winner of All Stars season 6
* Mayhem Miller, contestant on season 10, All Stars season 5 and RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World series 2
* Morgan McMichaels, contestant on season 2 and All Stars season 3
* Trinity the Tuck, contestant on season 9, All Stars season 7, and winner of All Stars season 4
* Victoria "Porkchop" Parker, contestant on season 1

#### Episode 2

* Lawrence Chaney, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 2

#### Episode 6

* Norvina, president of Anastasia Beverly Hills

#### Episode 7

* Alyssa Edwards, contestant on season 5, All Stars season 2, winner of Global All Stars

#### Episode 8

* Gabe Lopez, music producer

#### Episode 10

* Joey Nolfi, journalist at Entertainment Weekly
* Kandy Muse, runner-up on season 13 and All Stars season 8
* Mistress Isabelle Brooks, contestant on season 15
* Plane Jane, contestant on season 16

#### Episode 11

* Cheyenne Jackson, actor and singer

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date |
| 224 | 1 | "Squirrel Games" | January 3, 2025 (2025-01-03) |
| All 14 new queens along with other queens from previous seasons perform in a Squid Game inspired challenge called "Ru Light, Green Light", where they serve and move forward, but when the music stops and Lil' Poundcake turns around, they have to strike a pose. All queens from previous seasons are eliminated, leaving only the new queens. They all then enter the werkroom, and find out that "Ru Light, Green Light" was a photoshoot mini challenge. Lana Ja'Rae wins the mini challenge. For the main challenge, the queens split into two groups, with seven of them performing a talent in Drag Queens Got Talent. Acacia Forgot – Playing guitar / Live singing Arrietty – Lip-sync / Baile Folklorico Jewels Sparkles – Original song lip-sync Joella – Original song lip-sync Lucky Starzzz – Original song lip-sync Lydia B Kollins – Original song lip-sync / Comedy burlesque Suzie Toot – Original song lip-sync / Tap dancing On the runway, category is Masc For Masked Singer. The queens who didn't perform in this episode rank the queens performances using Rate-A-Queen, where it is announced that Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot are the top two queens of the week, and will lip-sync for the win. It is also announced that Acacia Forgot was rated lowest and will be lip-syncing for her life in the next episode. Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot lip-sync to "Woman's World" by Katy Perry. After the lip-sync, Suzie Toot is announced as the winner of the challenge. Guest Judge: Katy Perry Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley Mini-Challenge: Ru Light, Green Light Mini-Challenge Winner: Lana Ja'Rae Mini-Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash tip Main Challenge: Perform a talent in Drag Queens Got Talent Runway Theme: Masc For Masked Singer Top Two: Jewels Sparkles and Suzie Toot Lip-sync Song: "Woman's World" by Katy Perry Challenge Winner: Suzie Toot Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize ||||
| 225 | 2 | "Drag Queens Got Talent – Part 2" | January 10, 2025 (2025-01-10) |
| For the main challenge, the remaining seven queens perform a talent performing a talent in Drag Queens Got Talent. Crystal Envy – Original song lip-sync Hormona Lisa – Stand-up live comedy Kori King – Original song lip-sync Lana Ja'Rae – Original song lip-sync Lexi Love – Original song lip-sync / Roller skating Onya Nurve – Original song lip-sync Sam Star – Original song lip-sync On the runway, category is Is It Cake?. The queens who didn't perform in this episode rank the queens performances using Rate-A-Queen, where it is announced that Crystal Envy and Lexi Love are the top two queens of the week, and will lip-sync for the win. They then lip-sync to "Alter Ego" by Doechii and JT. After the lip-sync, Lexi Love is announced as the winner of the challenge. It was later announced that Hormona Lisa was rated lowest and will be lip-syncing for her life against Acacia Forgot, who was ranked the lowest in the previous episode. They then lip-sync to "Yes, And" by Ariana Grande. Acacia Forgot wins the lip-sync, but RuPaul reveals a new twist called "Badonka Dunk", where the eliminated queen gets to pull a lever, with two of them dunking Michelle Visage into a tank of water; if Michelle is dunked, the queen is saved from elimination. Hormona Lisa pulls the 7th lever, which dunks Michelle into the water and therefore saves Hormona from elimination. Guest Judge: Doechii Alternating Judge: Ts Madison Main Challenge: Perform a talent in Drag Queens Got Talent Runway Theme: Is It Cake? Top Two: Crystal Envy and Lexi Love Lip-sync Song: "Alter Ego" by Doechii and JT Challenge Winner: Lexi Love Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Acacia Forgot and Hormona Lisa Lip-sync Song: "Yes, And?" by Ariana Grande Eliminated: None ||||
| 226 | 3 | "Monopulence!" | January 17, 2025 (2025-01-17) |
| For this week main challenge, the queens create a monochromatic outfit inspired by properties from board game Monopoly, in honor of its 90th anniversary. Orange Properties Hormona Lisa – Tennessee Avenue Lexi Love – New York Avenue Lucky Starzzz – St. James Place Red Properties Arrietty – Indiana Avenue Lana Ja'Rae – Illinois Avenue Suzie Toot – Kentucky Avenue Yellow Properties Acacia Forgot – Atlantic Avenue Kori King – Ventnor Avenue Lydia B Kollins – Marvin Gardens Green Properties Jewels Sparkles – Pennsylvania Avenue Joella – Pacific Avenue Onya Nurve – North Carolina Avenue Blue Properties Crystal Envy – Boardwalk Sam Star – Park Place On the runway, category is Monopulence!. Arrietty, Onya Nurve and Sam Star receive positive critiques, with Sam Star winning the challenge. Joella, Lucky Starzzz and Kori King receive negative critiques, with Kori King being safe. Joella and Lucky Starzzz lip-sync to "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" by Paula Abdul. Joella wins the lip-sync. Lucky Starzzz pulls the 3rd lever of the "Badonka Dunk", failing to dunk Michelle into the water and sashays away. Guest Judge: Sandra Bernhard Alternating Judge: Ts Madison Main Challenge: Create a monochromatic outfit made inspired by Monopoly's properties Runway Theme: Monopulence! Challenge Winner: Sam Star Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Joella and Lucky Starzzz Lip-sync Song: "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" by Paula Abdul Eliminated: Lucky Starzzz Farewell Message: "Lucky Starzzzzzzzzz was here! And don't you forget it! Keep on shining my 13 lucky stars ♡" ||||
| 227 | 4 | "Bitch, I'm a Drag Queen!" | January 24, 2025 (2025-01-24) |
| Guest Judge: Julia Schlaepfer Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley Main Challenge: Film commercials based on past Drag Race contestants Runway Theme: Quilted For Your Pleasure Challenge Winner: Onya Nurve Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Joella and Kori King Lip-sync Song: "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg Eliminated: Joella Farewell Message: "Visit me when you come back to LA ♡♡♡ - J.O.E Dont forget the ella!" ||||
| 228 | 5 | "RDR Live!" | January 31, 2025 (2025-01-31) |
| Guest Judge: Paul W. Downs Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews Main Challenge: Perform in a sketch comedy of RDR Live Runway Theme: Tickled Pink Challenge Winner: Suzie Toot Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Arrietty and Lydia B Kollins Lip-sync Song: "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Emotions Eliminated: None ||||
| 229 | 6 | "Let's Get Sea Sickening Ball" | February 7, 2025 (2025-02-07) |
| Guest Judges: Hunter Schafer Alternating Judge: Law Roach Mini-Challenge: In teams, transport Anastasia Beverly Hills lipsticks to a display case using mouths only Mini-Challenge Winners: Acacia Forgot, Onya Nurve, Lexi Love, Lydia B Kollins, Sam Star and Suzie Toot Mini-Challenge Prize: $500 cash tip Main Challenge: Let's Get Sea Sickening Ball Runway Theme: Bathing Beauties, Sea Creature Couture, and Sea Sickening Eleganza Challenge Winner: Arrietty Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Hormona Lisa and Lana Ja'Rae Lip-sync Song: "Get Him Back!" by Olivia Rodrigo Eliminated: Hormona Lisa Farewell Message: "Pumpkins, Never stop dreaming Never stop shining I will miss each one of you! <3 - Hormona Lisa" ||||
| 229 | 7 | "Snatch Game" | February 14, 2025 (2025-02-14) |
| Guest Judge: Quinta Brunson Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews Main Challenge: Snatch Game Runway Theme: Nailed it! Challenge Winner: Onya Nurve Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Crystal Envy and Lana Ja'Rae Lip-sync Song: "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez Eliminated: Crystal Envy Farewell Message: "Yeah, I'd still envy ME 💎. Love you girls ♡" ||||
| 230 | 8 | "The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!" | February 21, 2025 (2025-02-21) |
| Guest Judge: Adam Lambert Alternating Judge: Jamal Sims Main Challenge: Perform in the Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical! Runway Theme: Parasols, Shady Ladies Challenge Winner: Sam Star Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Acacia Forgot and Kori King Lip-sync Song: "Wet Dream" by Adam Lambert Eliminated: Acacia Forgot Farewell Message: "All you can do is FORGOT. Love, The Piggie of the Week. -Acacia ♡" ||||
| 231 | 9 | "Heavens to Betsey!" | February 28, 2025 (2025-02-28) |
| Guest Judge: Betsey Johnson Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley Challenge Winner: Jewels Sparkles Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Lydia B Kollins and Kori King Eliminated: Kori King Farewell Message: "Goodnight Kingdom☆" ||||
| 232 | 10 | "The Villains Roast" | March 7, 2025 (2025-03-07) |
| Guest Judge: Whitney Cummings Alternating Judge: Ts Madison Main Challenge: Roast Runway Theme: Short Shorts Challenge Winner: Lydia B Kollins Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Arrietty and Jewels Sparkles Eliminated: Arrietty Farewell Message: "Girl get over yourself you aren't Eve. A good Queen you're the villain I swear. As one smelly b**** to another, Onya please brush your teeth." ||||
| 233 | 11 | "Ross Mathews vs. The Ducks" | March 14, 2025 (2025-03-14) |
| Guest Judge: Sam Smith Alternating Judge: Ross Matthews Main Challenge: Act in skit with Ross Matthews Challenge Winner: Onya Nurve Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize Bottom Two: Lana Ja'Rae and Lydia B Kollins Eliminated: Lydia B Kollins Farewell Message: "My Top 6 Sisters… It has been the honor of my life. You’re all so incredible, make them EAT IT Piggies! ♡ (P.S. Lana, I LOVE YOU)" ||||

## Broadcast

The seventeenth season, and its companion series, premiered through MTV with its first episode on January 3, 2025. The season will consist of sixteen episodes and airs weekly at 8:00 p.m. (EST). Episodes were later released throughout various streaming services such as Crave for Canada, Stan for Australia, and on WOW Presents Plus internationally with next-day availability starting on January 4.

## Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 :
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Squirrel Games" | January 3, 2025 | 0.24 | 0.671 |
| 2 | "Drag Queens Got Talent – Part 2" | January 10, 2025 | 0.17 | 0.494 |
| 3 | "Monopulence!" | January 17, 2025 | 0.24 | 0.564 |
| 4 | "Bitch, I'm a Drag Queen!" | January 24, 2025 | 0.20 | 0.556 |
| 5 | "RDR Live!" | January 31, 2025 | 0.22 | 0.456 |
| 6 | "Let's Get Sea Sickening Ball" | February 7, 2025 | 0.20 | 0.530 |
| 7 | "Snatch Game" | February 14, 2025 | 0.12 | 0.429 |
| 8 | "The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical" | February 21, 2025 | 0.18 | 0.584 |
| 9 | "Heavens to Betsey!" | February 28, 2025 | 0.17 | 0.513 |
| 10 | "The Villains Roast" | March 7, 2025 | 0.22 | 0.570 |
| 11 | "Ross Mathews vs. The Ducks" | March 14, 2025 | 0.24 | 0.591 |

## Footnotes

* ↑ All ages, names, and cities are stated at time of filming.
* ↑ Lydia Butthole Kollins is referred to as Lydia B Kollins on the series.
* ↑ Hormona Lisa lost the lip sync, but was nonetheless saved from elimination by the Badonka Dunk Tank.
* ↑ Arrietty lost the lip sync, but was nonetheless saved from elimination by the Badonka Dunk Tank.