Exciting Showdown in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Episode 15
The thrilling episode 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, titled “Lip Sync Lalaparuza Smackdown,”aired on April 11, 2025. This episode marked an innovative departure from the customary reunion format, as it featured the grand return of the ten eliminated queens, all vying for redemption. Contestants competed for the illustrious title of “Queen of She Done Already Had Herses”and a lucrative prize of $50,000.
As the eliminated queens took center stage, the top four contestants of the season—Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Onya Nurve, and Sam Star—watched from the Werk Room, cheerfully observing the fierce competition. The returning queens included Lucky Starzzz, Joella, Hormona Lisa, Crystal Envy, Acacia Forgot, Kori King, Arrietty, Lydia B Kollins, Lana Ja’Rae, and Suzie Toot.
“You guys are just as ugly as I remember,”Onya remarked, bringing humor to the intense atmosphere.
The format of the tournament comprised five initial lip sync battles, leading to a semifinal and ultimately, the final showdown. The queens didn’t just showcase extraordinary lip syncing; they also wowed the audience with costume reveals, humor, and entertaining performances. An intriguing aspect of this episode was the inclusion of personal updates on various queens, notably the acknowledgment of Kori and Lydia’s budding romance, along with Arrietty’s heartfelt apology to Onya regarding her earlier elimination message.
Dynamic Lip Sync Battles Define the Competition
The lip sync battles were filled with varied styles and dynamics. The judges’ panel, comprised of RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ts Madison, and Pit Crew member Bruno, witnessed all the action. Suzie Toot ultimately triumphed in the final round, marking a significant redemption arc.
The battles began with Hormona Lisa squaring off against Lydia B Kollins, performing “Say Liza (Liza With a ‘Z’)”by Liza Minnelli. While Hormona aimed to leverage her vocal strengths, Lydia’s performance left a lasting impression, earning her the win. In the next matchup, Suzie faced Joella with “Training Season”by Dua Lipa, where Suzie emerged victorious once more.
Lucky Starzzz kept the momentum going with her rendition of “Step by Step”by Whitney Houston, defeating Acacia Forgot. Meanwhile, Kori King showcased her flair with “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)”by P!nk, impressing the judges and securing her win against Arrietty, whose performance was described as “frantic.” The final first-round match featured a highly anticipated rematch between Crystal Envy and Lana Ja’Rae with “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Sylvester, where Lana clinched the victory again.
“Honey, it is the movie y’all been waiting for: The B*tthole vs. the Bob,” Kori humorously quipped, adding levity to the fierce competition.
Amidst the intense atmosphere, Arrietty took a moment to reconcile with Onya, acknowledging her past actions as “unacceptable behavior,” which Onya graciously accepted.
Final Showdown Determines the Champion
The highly charged second round kicked off with Lucky Starzzz choosing “We Found Love”by Rihanna, competing against Suzie. With both queens having previously showcased their costumes, the focus shifted to their movement and charisma, where Suzie adeptly switched her style to fit the song while Lucky stuck to her earlier routine.
The next round combined Kori, Lydia, and Lana performing “360”by Charli XCX, where Lydia cleverly executed a scissor fake-out, Lana dazzled with a costume reveal, and Kori delivered a continuous dance performance from start to finish. The final lip sync duel of the episode showcased Suzie and Kori as they performed “APT.”by Rosé and Bruno Mars.
“The lesbos are gonna live for this, honey. Can I say that?” Jewels Sparks chimed in, mirroring the episode’s lively spirit.
During this climactic round, Suzie strategically utilized the tassels on her sleeves, while Kori had to balance her outfit removal while performing. As the episode drew to a conclusion, RuPaul announced the winner of the Smackdown. The anticipation builds for the upcoming season finale, where fans will discover who among the top four will be crowned “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and who will earn the title of Miss Congeniality.
New episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race air every Friday on MTV, bringing fresh excitement and drama to fans worldwide.