Yahoo Lifestyle Who Will Win 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17? Ranking the Queens After Episode 6
RuPaul's Drag Race is back, and that means that in a few short month we'll know America's Next Drag Superstar v.17. After six weeks, we've only eliminated three queens. But we've seen our girls walk in eight runways, compete in five Maxi challenges and deliver plenty of confessionals. So while we still have months before the finale, we've got a lot of information already as pertains to the 11 remaining queens.
Which brings us to the question: Who will win Season 17 of RuPaul's Drag Race?
To that end, I've put together a ranking of the full cast of drag queens competing on this season, ordered from least likely to most likely to be crowned America's Next Drag Superstar. It's a power ranking if you will, and while there are supposed spoilers on dark corners of the internet, I haven't read any of them. And to clarify, this ranking relates specifically to their chances at winning Season 17 and not just making it far.
This week Hormona Lisa was eliminated, and while I had bumped her up to 8th place last week, it wasn't shocking to see her lose her second lip sync this season and be sent packing.
You can read last week's ranking here, and check back every week throughout the season for updated rankings as the queens are eliminated. But without further ado, here's our ranking after Episode 6.
Related: 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Renewed for Season 10
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 Episode 6 Power Rankings
11. Acacia Forgot
Last Week: 10th
Track Record: Bottom, Safe, Safe, Safe, Bottom
The issue with not eliminating queens for three of the first five weeks is that now, heading into Episode 7, we've really separated the wheat from the chaff. I'd argue that we've divided the 11 remaining queens into two main groups, with five now DOA, four in winner contention, and two hovering in a TBD liminal space. Acacia is really fun, and should have been in the top during "RDR Live." But RuPaul doesn't really appreciate her drag style. We're now just sort of in a holding pattern, waiting to see if she's clipped next week or somehow manages to eke out a few more safe placements before getting the boot.
10. Kori King
Last Week: 11th
Track Record: Safe, Bottom, Bottom, Safe, Safe
Miss Kori (Scott) King is another of the girls who will need to exit over the next few weeks before we get to the real competition. She's yet to have a breakout moment. And if you haven't had one yet, you're probably not going to.
9. Lana Ja'Rae
Last Week: 7th
Track Record: Safe, Safe, Safe, Safe, Bottom
Lana begged RuPaul not to make her safe for a fifth week in a row. And so Ru promptly stuck her in the bottom and made her lip sync for her life. Lana has a little bit of that "jack of all trades, master of none" thing going on, and I do think her time is running out as well.
8. Lydia B. Kollins
Last Week: 9th
Track Record: Safe, Safe, Safe, Bottom, Safe
Miss Butthole is an interesting one. RuPaul seems to ADORE her, but she's yet to crack the top, and nearly went home last week. I just don't know what Lydia is bringing that the other queens aren't. She seems reserved, but unlike past oddball queens, she's not necessarily wowing the judges on the runway either. I'm struggling to see a path forward for her.
7. Arrietty
Last Week: 12th
Track Record: Safe, Top, Bottom, Eliminated/Saved, Win
On one hand, Arrietty could go home next week. Like Hormona Lisa, she only lasted this long due to the Badonka Dunk Tank. That said, Arrietty is far and away the most fashionable queen on Season 17. She's very likely to win any remaining design challenges and the makeover challenge should she make it that far. Does being extremely gifted in one area make up for a lack in others? TBD. Arrietty just has to pray that other people flounder in the performance-based challenges so she can manage to rack up a few more wins.
6. Jewels Sparkles
Last Week: 6th
Track Record: Top, Safe, Safe, Safe, Safe
Now, onto the true contenders! Jewels busted onto the scene with a near win the first week and has remained an entertaining presence since. She has yet to find her way into the top a second time, though, which is a bit concerning given who is beating her. I still think Jewels has a path to the crown, but it's narrowing quickly, and she needs another strong week.
5. Lexi Love
Last Week: 4th
Track Record: Win, Safe, Safe, Safe, Safe
Lexi is in a place similar to Jewels and was safe yet again this week, despite her bragging about the cigarette look she made and all the drama with the spray paint. I do think that Lexi has the most winner energy of anyone in the cast, but she hasn't quite nailed a challenge since her rollerskating, and she needs another placement in the top.
4. Onya Nurve
Last Week: 2nd
Track Record: Safe, Top, Win, Top, Safe
RuPaul seems to like Onya Nurve more than the general viewing public, and I don't think how she handled the spray paint situation with Lexi this week is going to help her much. Onya has earned spots in the top for three out of five weeks, though, so she will likely make it far. I think a spot in the finale is calling her name, especially if she can win a few more of these comedy challenges.
3. Sam Star
Last Week: 5th
Track Record: Safe, Win, Safe, Bottom, Top
Sam Star keeps proving herself a force. Despite a mishap in "RDR Live," she's been consistently solid, and I can't see her getting the boot until the very end if she doesn't go all the way. It is interesting, however, to have two extremely polished pageant queens in the running this season though. I wonder how the Sam vs. Crystal head-to-head will go as they continue to offer somewhat similar aesthetics. Plus, which will steal RuPaul's heart?
2. Crystal Envy
Last Week: 3rd
Track Record: Top, Safe, Top, Safe, Top
Surprisingly, Crystal has yet to win. But she's been in the top three times and hasn't been anywhere near the bottom once. She's the consummate professional, and if Arrietty does get the boot, Crystal seems primed to snatch up those late-season design/makeover challenge wins. After six episodes, we've also yet to see anyone throw the "you're too polished" critique at her, which is usually what tanks a pageant girl. Crystal could very well be the winner of this season.
1. Suzie Toot
Last Week: 1st
Track Record: Win, Safe, Top, Win, Safe
As of now, Suzie is the only queen to have won two challenges. With Snatch Game, the Rusical, and an original song challenge all presumably coming up, I think she'll likely pick up a third win before long. Suzie's kryptonite will always be the more fashion-esque elements of the show, but she was marked safe from the ball, so that's one obstacle removed. While RuPaul doesn't usually go for Broadway queens, she seems to like Suzie, and a Suzie Toot win would be something new for the franchise. If I had to bet, I'm putting my giant nickel on her winning.
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