‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17 Power Rankings: Episode 4 — Now That’s What I Call Infomercials

Props to Miss Joella for making some iconic television this season — her appearances in Untucked alone ought to be studied by future contestants on how to stand out in the competition. The other parts of her performance … well, they should be studied, but more as a cautionary tale than as a guideline to success. Her performance in the infomercial challenge was forgettable (a mortal sin on Drag Race), her runway presentation as a giant quilted pillow/mattress/blanket was ridiculous in all the wrong ways, and her lip sync performance to “Buttons” came apart at the seams. We’re sad to see this “icon of local drag” leave the show, but in the words of Mo Heart: “Facts are facts, America.”

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 13

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In RuPaul’s much-quoted formula for success, Kori King was most certainly focused on the “nerve” of it all this week — she had the nerve to wear her losing outfit from episode 3 for the challenge in episode 4! Kori most definitely flubbed her performance harder than any of the other girls, which is a rough spot to be in after nearly winding up in the bottom the week prior. She survived the Pussycat Dolls lip sync (thanks in no small part to Joella forgetting the words to Snoop Dogg’s verse), but if Kori wants to survive another week on Drag Race, then she’s going to need a big win very soon.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 12

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I won’t lie, I thought there was a better-than-average chance that Hormona Lisa could wind up with a low placement this week. Her rendition of Shannel’s iconic self-nomination didn’t feel all that iconic — in fact, the performance fell pretty flat on multiple occasions, with her lip synching becoming muddled at multiple points during the number. Her runway, while being just fine, was nothing to write home about either. After being granted another chance at staying in the competition in episode 2, I want to see this queen really lean in and make herself stand out among the pack. But right now, much like the iconic smile of her namesake, Hormona Lisa is staying understated, which spells danger for her future on the show.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 9

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To paraphrase what RuPaul once told the girls on Drag Race: safe is not a word best associated with winning. For every week of this competition thus far, Lana Ja’Rae has gotten by with just some safe performances. That’s all well and good, until it’s not — and we’re getting to the point where Lana is going from being the “safe queen” to being the forgotten queen of the season. Her performances in the challenge and on the runway were both fine, neither good nor bad. It may be working for her so far, but if Miss Ja’Rae doesn’t pull out all the stops soon, then she can kiss her chances at the crown goodbye.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 10

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Everything I just said about Lana Ja’Rae could also apply to Lydia B Kollins this week. After four episodes, this queen is still fading to the background, making it that much harder to tell exactly how well she’s doing in the actual competition. Her performance with Lana in the challenge was fine, but it’s never a good sign if you’re being overshadowed by someone in the background pretending to be a tumbleweed. What puts her just slightly ahead of Lana, though, is her presentation on the runway — Lydia has a very clear, tailored point of view when it comes to her fashion, and she seems to be swinging big with each look, even if the judges aren’t giving her much attention. This queen seems ever-so-slightly more primed to level up in the judges’ estimations, but she still needs to get bold if she wants to get noticed.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 8

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The other safe queens should make note of Acacia’s performance this week. While her runway might have lacked some of the glitz and glamour of other contestants’ garments, Acacia went big in the challenge with Sam Star. Both queens earned their screen time, nailing the slapstick comedy of this country number over and over again. Even when the dancing wasn’t quite as polished as I would have liked, Acacia still at least sold herself this week, earning a well-deserved safe call. Sure, I still want more from this queen, but Acacia Forgot certainly managed to stay memorable at this crucial moment in the competition.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 11

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Let’s talk about Arrietty’s critiques this week. No, her performance in the challenge was not the best — but I certainly don’t think she was bad, especially when compared with some of the other queens lower down on this list. The judges didn’t get “quilted” from her runway look — fair! The garment, while gorgeous, didn’t quite fit the theme, so I hear the judges there.

But when Michelle Visage asked for some versatility from Arrietty’s signature mug on episode 4 of the show (just one week after Arrietty DID show versatility with her beat), I was steamed. Queens are so often rewarded for creating a memorable brand for themselves on the show, and to see this same critique coming back when history has proven that versatility can easily become a trap for contestants on the show — look no further than Lucky Starzzz’s elimination last week — is disheartening. All in all, Arrietty didn’t deserve to get a low placement for her performance this week, and I’m confident that she’ll prove the judges wrong in the weeks to come.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2

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Jewels may have moved down on our ranking this week, but make no mistake — she is in a very good position for the competition. After the judges’ critique of Arrietty’s performance, it became clear that they saw Miss Sparkles as a scene stealer, even in a safe week. Sure, her runway look was a little more basic in terms of the challenge, but her performance in the music video was genuinely great. Jewels is making herself known even when she’s not receiving critiques from the judges — and that’s worth a lot.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 5

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Much like Jewels, Lexi is in a very good spot in week 4 of the competition. After successfully wowing the judges in the premiere, the name of the game for Lexi has been consistency — turn out consistently good runway looks, and turn in solid performances in the challenges in order to keep your position in the game. While her commercial performance may not have had some of the razzle and dazzle of higher performers on this ranking, it was a good, left-field interpretation of Jasmine Kennedie’s iconic Untucked showdown from season 14. Her runway, meanwhile, was absolutely gorgeous, proving that this queen has still got her eye on the top prize.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 4

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After absolutely crushing it during last week’s design challenge, Sam Star could have very easily rested on her laurels and coasted by in episode 4. But her performance with Acacia in this week’s challenge was anything but safe. Both performers took huge swings (mainly at each others’ heads) in their country number, quickly standing out among their group. On the runway, Sam doubled down, showcasing something that still had the pageant polish she’s become known for while also giving us a touch of camp and humor with her massive pillow headpiece. This is a winning level of momentum, and if Sam keeps this up, she’ll have no trouble making it to the finale.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1

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For the last two weeks, I have been asking to see some more “uniqueness” from Crystal Envy — give us something to make you stand out from the other contestants. This week, at long last, she delivered. Her infomercial performance was excellent and immediately memorable, which itself was only bolstered by the fact that Crystal took a directorial approach to the challenge as a whole. And when it came time for the runway? Girl. Crystal ate and left no crumbs whatsoever with her look — the long elegant train of her perfectly-constructed coat was exquisite, and the quilted bodysuit underneath added another level to this already stellar look.

Crystal finally came into her own this week, proving why she’s a threat to the other girls in this competition. If I were them, I’d be feeling a lot of Envy towards this queen’s stellar critiques.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 7

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Talk about trajectory. Suzie Toot came into this competition hot, with a killer talent show and lip sync performance. Just two weeks later, the theatrical queen is back in the top for all of the right reasons, making her an immediate frontrunner in the competition. The judges praised her for the softened, feminine makeup look she brought to runway, but it was her performance of Aja’s iconic “you’re perfect, you’re beautiful” rant that earned her top marks. Suzie completely changed up her appearance, her affectation and her whole vibe to fit the challenge, proving definitively that she is one of the most flexible queens on this cast. None of the judges are going to be asking to see more “versatility” from Ms. Toot this season, because she’s already showing it off in spades.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 3

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I spoke about Onya Nerve’s stunning charisma in our first ranking of the season, and I’m happy to say that she took that ball and ran with it. Her performance of “Put Your Lighters Up” worked precisely because of its simplicity — a jazzy scat number without a bunch of other production elements added for effect. It was just Onya’s (excellent) voice and hilarious acting that sold every second of her performance, making for the most decisively good performance of the bunch here. Then, her excellent runway look featuring elegant bolts of Kente cloth oozed glamor, immediately wowing the judges.

With her first challenge win of the season, Miss Nerve is quickly carving out her path to the finale. It’s clear that the judges cannot get enough of Onya, and it’s easy to see why — this queen is quickly stealing every scene she’s in on Drag Race.

Last Week’s Ranking: No. 6

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