Hey drag race fans! This week's RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 promised a star-studded guest judge in Sam Smith . Episode 11 "Ross Matthews vs. the Ducks" arrived with an acting challenge a black and white runway and of course some drama. Did it live up to the hype? Let's spill the tea.
Acting Challenge Blues: "Ross Matthews vs. the Ducks" Proves Informative But Not Exactly Thrilling
This week the queens faced the dreaded acting challenge. Acting challenges on Drag Race can be hit or miss and this one landed somewhere in the middle. The theme was a parody of Ryan Murphy's "Feud: Capote vs. the Swans" reimagined as "Ross Matthews vs. the Ducks." It was all about high camp and betrayal but some viewers might find it a bit bland. While acting skills are important for a drag superstar acting challenges themselves are not always the most exciting to watch. This one provided some information about the queens' abilities but lacked true comedic spark.
Guest director Cheyenne Jackson was on hand but Ross Matthews' constant input seemed to overshadow the direction. Some queens like Lana and Onya actually did well in their scenes. Sam Star also held her own. However others like Lydia and Jewels struggled to make a big impression. Ultimately no one truly bombed but no one delivered a legendary performance either. Let's just say it was no "Breastworld" thankfully.
Runway Raves and Fringed Follies: Black and White Ball Brought Mixed Bag of Looks
The runway category this week was "Black and White Ball" inspired by Truman Capote's famous party. Runway themes are usually a highlight of Drag Race but this week's looks were a bit of a mixed bag. Sam Star served harlequin jester realness with a striking masquerade look though some patterns were arguably a bit busy. Lana's big sleeves and wig were great but padding could have elevated the silhouette further. Lydia's patterned ensemble was a standout her best look yet. Suzie's fringed cat outfit was fun but a cinched waist might have improved it. Lexi’s ombre dress felt a little too simple and short for the theme. Jewels' drawn cat-inspired look got rave reviews from the judges with Ross Matthews even calling it Smithsonian worthy which some might think is a bit much.
Lip Sync for Your Life: Lydia and Lana Face Off But One Queen Stumbles
This week's bottom two were Lydia B. Kollins and Lana Ja'Rae. After strong performances last week Lydia's fall to the bottom shows how quickly fortunes can change on Drag Race. The lip sync song was "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras adding extra pressure with Sam Smith himself judging. Lydia started strong being expressive and engaging but then made a questionable choice. Attempting a dress reveal during Kim Petras' verse she got tangled in the fabric shards hindering her performance. Lana on the other hand delivered a solid performance including a split. Ultimately Lydia's dress mishap seemed to seal her fate and she sashayed away. It was a shame to see Lydia go especially after her win last week showing that even being on top one week doesn't guarantee safety the next.
Untucked Tea: Arrietty's Goodbye Note and Suzie vs. Lexi Drama Continues
Untucked this week was noticeably calmer without Arrietty's presence. The biggest drama was the fallout from Arrietty's shady mirror message to Onya about her breath. Turns out Onya has a medical condition causing bad breath which made Arrietty's note seem even more cutting in retrospect. Despite this little drama Untucked was relatively uneventful. Sam Smith made a backstage appearance with the queens. Lana once again mentioned how each runway look is something "new" for her a running gag that some viewers find amusing.
Who's on Top and Who's Got the "CROWN"fidence? Predictions for the Top Queens
After this week Onya Nurve solidified her frontrunner status with a third win. Many viewers see her as the most likely to snatch the crown. Sam Star is also in strong contention consistently performing well. Suzie Toot despite some critiques remains a potential finalist. Jewels Sparkles is still in the mix though some feel her performances are not always as consistent. Lexi Love while competent may need to step up her game to truly compete for the win. As for who will actually take home the crown it's still anyone's guess but Onya is definitely leading the pack.
Episode 11 Highlights:
- Guest Judge: Sam Smith
- Acting Challenge: "Ross Matthews vs. the Ducks" (Feud Parody)
- Challenge Winner: Onya Nurve (3rd win)
- Runway Theme: Black and White Ball
- Lip Sync Song: "Unholy" by Sam Smith & Kim Petras
- Eliminated Queen: Lydia B. Kollins
- Untucked Drama: Fallout from Arrietty's mirror message.
Final Verdict: Solid Episode But Missing Some Drag Race Sparkle
Episode 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 was a decent episode with some runway highlights and Onya's consistent excellence. However it lacked the true excitement and comedic gold that some fans crave. The acting challenge felt a bit flat and Lydia's elimination while dramatic was also somewhat anticlimactic. Sam Smith's guest judging was a welcome addition but did not fully elevate the episode. As we head closer to the finale the competition is heating up but this week's episode might be more of a setup for future drama than a standout itself. Still plenty of Drag Race to enjoy as we see who will snatch that crown!