Highlights from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Episode 15
This week marked an exciting return for eliminated contestants in episode 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, which aired on Friday, April 11, 2025. In a thrilling twist, these drag queens engaged in a high-stakes lip sync battle for a chance to win a substantial cash prize of $50,000.
First Round Showdown: Kori King vs. Arriety
The episode commenced with an intense face-off between Kori King and Arriety. The two performers showcased their talents to the upbeat track “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” by P!nk. After scrutinizing their performances, RuPaul declared Arriety the victor, ultimately leading her to exit the Lalaparuza Smackdown.
Fan Reactions: Divided Opinions
Online discussions erupted among fans regarding Kori’s victory. Unsurprisingly, opinions were sharply divided, with many supporters arguing for Arriety’s performance. Notably, a fan on X expressed:
“Arriety was so robbed here, Kori just did generic lipsync 101.”
Another user noted the impact of fan reception on the judges’ decisions:
“I personally think Arriety won, but because of the poor fan reception of Arriety I can see why Ru chose Kori,”a fan commented.
In a counterpoint, some argued that Kori’s interpretation of the song resonated more effectively with the audience:
“Arrietty ATE this lipsync *but* Kori King was a harness away from being P!nk herself. THIS IS WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL REALNESS,”another commenter stated.
Additional critiques highlighted the varying approaches between the two queens:
“Arrietty was doing too much for the song for me. Especially at the beginning. It didn’t go anywhere,”a viewer pointed out.
Recap of the Lalaparuza Smackdown
The episode also introduced the Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown, featuring RuPaul unveiling a new show titled Happy Endings with Bruno, hosted by pit crew member Bruno Alcantara. The first battle began with Hormona against Lydia, with Lydia emerging victorious.
Other early rounds included Suzie defeating Joella, and Acacia moving past Lucky. As the anticipation built for Kori King and Arriety’s performance, RuPaul encouraged Arriety to strategize wisely in her choice of opponent.
Ultimately, Kori was announced as the winner after the dramatic lip sync, resulting in Arriety and the other eliminated queens saying their farewells. The final matchup culminated in Suzie Toot emerging victorious over Kori King, with a grand prize of $50,000 sponsored by Starbucks.
As the season nears its climax, fans eagerly await the season finale next Friday, where the crown will be awarded to one deserving queen. Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion on MTV!