Recap of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, Episode 11

Premiering on March 11, 2025, episode 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 on MTV introduced viewers to a thrilling spoof drama titled Ross Mathews vs. the Ducks, inspired by popular social media figures. The episode culminates in drama, rivalry, and emotional revelations among the Queens.

Shocking Revelations and Emotional Fallout

The episode opened with an unexpected twist; contestant Jewels stumbled upon a lipstick message left by the recently eliminated Arrietty. This cheeky, yet biting note caught the attention of the cast as Jewels read it aloud. The message directed a playful insult at Onya regarding her dental hygiene:

“As one smelly bitch to another, Onya, please brush your teeth.”

Onya, visibly distressed, took the jab to heart, feeling that it crossed a personal boundary and touched on one of her long-standing insecurities about her breath.

Guest Judges and Challenges

This episode also brought back RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley as main judges, with special appearances from Sam Smith and Cheyenne Jackson. The tension among contestants was palpable, especially after the preceding episode where Jewels had assigned challenge roles, leading to accusations from Arrietty of sabotage that ultimately culminated in her elimination.

In her final moments on the show, Arrietty expressed her dissatisfaction, leaving with a sour taste in her mouth regarding her castmates, particularly Jewels.

Onya’s Heartfelt Response

Upon returning to the Werk Room after Arrietty’s departure, the remaining queens found the scrawled message, which drew gasps of disbelief. The direct attack on Onya’s personal struggle resulted in tears as the remaining contestants offered their support. Jewels elaborated on Onya’s previously shared struggles with her condition:

“Onya has made a comment before in private that she does have a condition and she has bad breath. This is actually something she’s been insecure about for a long time.”

Lexi further revealed that Onya had discussed her need for dental advice, emphasizing the lack of clarity around her condition.

A Display of Strength Amidst Adversity

Confronted by the aftermath of Arrietty’s comments, Onya openly expressed her feelings to her fellow queens, asserting that Arrietty deserved to leave due to her hateful remarks:

“I would have never said anything like that to any of y’all. For her to come at something I’m super insecure about.”

Onya even speculated that Arrietty’s motivations might stem from Onya’s earlier defense of Jewels in the challenge lineup, leading to further tension. She remarked:

“I wasn’t trying to personally attack Arrietty. Just because we argue doesn’t mean we’re not sisters. But like, that s— is just such a low blow.”

Despite the emotional turmoil, Onya rose to the occasion during the episode’s challenge, ultimately claiming victory in the theatrical performance.

Elimination and Future Episodes

Despite Onya’s success, the episode also saw Lydia B. Kollins eliminated after a fierce lip sync battle against Lana Ja’Rae. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 continues to air every Friday on MTV, delivering drama, talent, and heartfelt moments that resonate with viewers.

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