Highlights from Episode 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17
On March 14, 2025, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 aired its eleventh episode, titled Ross Mathews vs. the Ducks. This episode featured an intense competition among the remaining seven contestants, all vying for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. However, the episode concluded with the unfortunate elimination of contestant Lydia B Kollins, who faced a significant setback during the lip-sync battle.
Lydia B Kollins Faces Elimination
Lydia found herself in the bottom two after a less-than-stellar performance in the maxi challenge, alongside fellow contestant Lana Ja’Rae. In a nail-biting lip-sync showdown, both queens fought fiercely to keep their dreams alive. Ultimately, Lana’s performance shone brighter, prompting RuPaul to deliver the heartbreaking message to Lydia: “sashay away.”
The Incident That Led to Lydia’s Departure
Despite beginning the battle with strong potential, Lydia’s performance took a turn for the worse when she attempted a dramatic dress cut mid-act. This bold move backfired; as she struggled with her outfit, she tripped on the floor, leading to her elimination. This misstep allowed Lana to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Reactions from Fans
The elimination sparked a flurry of responses on social media, particularly on X. Many fans expressed their disbelief, attributing Lydia’s exit to her dress-cutting stunt. While some felt her departure was unjust, others rallied support, emphasizing her creativity and talent.
“Hated this episode; my girl Lydia did not deserve to go out like this,”a fan wrote.
“All this weeks she showed all her creativity and uniqueness without caring what anyone said, Lydia you were a star and you would always be!!”another fan commented.
“My heart broke for Lydia when she couldn’t cut her dress omg,”a netizen tweeted.
Insights from the Contest
While numerous fans voiced their disappointment over Lydia’s elimination, many also reflected on the dramatic performance. The scissors incident quickly became the focal point of discussions. Fans speculated about how close Lydia was to delivering a winning act before her unfortunate slip.
“Lydia was literally winning until she pulled out the scissors; I’m heartbroken,”another user reacted.
“The moment Lydia took out those scissors… I knew it was over,”another fan wrote.
Farewell from Lydia B Kollins
“Thank you to everyone who loves drag,”Lydia stated confidently after her elimination, reinforcing her dedication to the art form.
In this episode, contestants showcased their interpretations in a skit based on the Truman Capote-inspired segment, where they worked under the guidance of special guests Ross Mathews and Sam Smith, alongside the main judge RuPaul. The challenges required all to deliver compelling performances and memorable runway moments.
As viewers anticipate future episodes, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 airs every Friday at 8 PM ET exclusively on MTV, promising more twists and turns ahead.