‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17 Power Ranking: Episode 14 — The Final Countdown

Make it make sense: Suzie Toot, one of the clear frontrunners from the moment this season started, performed better than almost any of the other girls this season. She had a clear aesthetic that she willingly shook up when the time called for it, her lowest placements during the entire season were safe — not even low! — and she proved just how versatile she was with the sheer variety of her wins and high placements. Yet this week, the judges leaned into that age-old critique on Drag Race: the concept of “playing it safe.”

Forgive me, but these critiques would feel more earned if the judges had, you know, said anything to Suzie about wanting to see something different. I’m not saying Suzie didn’t belong in the bottom two this week — of all the girls, her performance was one of the weakest, and it makes sense that she would make her first trip to the bottom at the top five. But after that final performance against Sam Star, it seemed clear to me that Suzie definitely won the lip sync. To watch her sashay away feels like a forced moment on a season that has otherwise thrived on spontaneity.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2

Track Record:

Jewels earned her win this week. Every aspect of her performance — the interview with Latrice, the photoshoot, the promo video, the “Gift Shop” performance — screamed “Vegas” while still always feeling like authentic Jewels Sparkles-brand drag. It was exactly what the judges wanted to see, and Jewels deserved the flowers that she got. That said, with this being our final barometer for who will take home the top prize for season 17, it’s just not going to be Jewels. She is fun, charismatic and a killer performer, no doubt. But with the competition that she’s up against? This Jewel can Sparkle all she wants, but she’s likely not going to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 5

Track Record:

Unlike with our dearly departed Suzie Toot, Sam Star has received the same critique from the judges throughout this season of Drag Race: Let your guard down, and stop trying to be “perfect.” While she’s done that to a degree in other areas of the competition, this week’s challenge saw Sam struggling to keep it real. While I may personally disagree with Sam staying over Suzie (especially after that lip sync!!), it’s clear that she is one of the most talented queens on this cast. But if this competition comes down to a lip sync battle, as it often does, I don’t see Sam beating any of the girls remaining in this finale, which makes snatching the crown that much harder.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1

Track Record:

Lexi Love has one thing that none of the other girls heading to the finale do — a clear, crystallized reality TV storyline. This competition has followed Lexi as she attempted to grow out of her self-doubting tendencies, learn to own her drag and stop comparing herself to others (which will be much easier for her in the finale with Suzie Toot out of the picture). If there was a Drag Race award for Most Improved Player, Lexi would certainly be the top contender this year. Her aesthetics are clearly there, her persona is fully established, and she is an absolutely top-tier performer no question. Call it a surprise, call it delusional on my part, call it whatever you’d like — but Lexi Love has an outside shot to take the crown home in two weeks’ time.

Last Week’s Placement: No. 4

Track Record:

I don’t think that Onya Nurve is guaranteed to win season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race — as we’ve seen time and time again on this, anything can happen during a finale. But if I were placing bets, I’d go all in on this queen. Of all the remaining queens, Onya is the one who has shown the judges exactly what they wanted to see time and time again on this show. She’s proven not only to be an exceedingly skilled artist, but also an excellent reality TV persona; every scene Onya is in on this show makes you like her that little bit more! Onya is as complete a package as I’ve seen on season 17, and it feels fairly clear that the finale is hers to lose.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 3

Track Record: