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In the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, titled “Lip Sync Lalaparuza Smackdown,” host RuPaul Charles welcomed back ten eliminated queens from Season 17 to compete in an exciting lip-sync battle. The stakes were high, as the winner not only aimed to dethrone the reigning titleholder, Morphine Love Dion, but also walked away with a prize of $50,000. Meanwhile, this season’s top four finalists—Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Onya Nurve, and Sam Star—observed from the Werk Room.
Competing in the Lalaparuza were queens: Lucky Starzzz, Joella, Hormona Lisa, Crystal Envy, Acacia Forgot, Kori King, Arrietty, Lydia B Kollins, Lana Ja’Rae, and Suzie Toot. This thrilling episode aired on Friday, April 11, on MTV.
“You guys are just as ugly as I remember” — Onya Nurve
After a hiatus from the competition, the atmosphere was ripe for catching up among the queens. Arrietty noted her transformation into a more virtuous character, yet tension lingered, especially with Onya. Despite this, an effort to reconcile was made as Arrietty apologized for a previous insult directed at Onya, which she acknowledged as inappropriate. In a display of maturity, Onya accepted the apology, recognizing Arrietty’s growth from the incident.
In a notable development, Kori and Lydia confirmed their romantic relationship, showcasing how their connection blossomed beyond the competitive arena. Both queens garnered significant following online, with Kori’s humorous Cameos and Lydia’s remarkable lip sync performances resonating with audiences. The duo’s iconic kiss on stage stood out, though Lydia was eager for redemption after an earlier mishap that led to her elimination.
“Honey, it is the movie y’all been waiting for: The Butthole vs. the Bob” — Kori King
RuPaul was joined at the judges’ panel by Michelle Visage and Ts Madison, along with Bruno from the Pit Crew, as they prepared to draw names for the matchups. The competition commenced with each queen facing off in pairs, leading to the elimination of five contestants. The second round featured two separate performances, with the best queens from each advancing to the final showdown.
The first matchup saw Hormona select the song “Say Liza (Liza with a ‘Z’)” by Liza Minnelli, facing off against Lydia. Though Lydia was wary of the challenging song choice, she ultimately triumphed. Subsequent battles included Suzie defeating Joella with “Training Season” by Dua Lipa, Lucky overcoming Acacia with “Step by Step” by Whitney Houston, Kori defeating Arrietty with “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” by P!nk, and Lana again besting Crystal with “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Sylvester.
“The lesbos are gonna live for this, honey. Can I say that?” — Jewels Sparkles
In the second round, Lucky performed “We Found Love” by Rihanna against Suzie. Both queens needed to bring their A-game after showcasing their elaborate costumes in the first round. However, Lucky’s performance fell flat, allowing Suzie to advance. In the next face-off, Kori, Lydia, and Lana danced to “360” by Charli xcx, with Kori ultimately emerging victorious despite a series of impressive reveals by her opponents.
The final showdown featured Suzie and Kori competing to “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars. Suzie effectively embodied the cheerleader element of the song, while Kori made a memorable impact with her bold costume reveal. After an intense performance, RuPaul announced Suzie as the winner, granting her the much-coveted title for the season.
Next week, the excitement continues with the “Grand Finale,” where one of the four finalists—Jewels, Lexi, Onya, or Sam—will be crowned “America’s Next Drag Superstar,” while another will receive the title of Miss Congeniality.
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