TOP 10: “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17” Promo Looks
The world seems poised to fall apart in 2025, but at least we will still have a new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race to look forward to! Season 17 of the venerable talent competition will debut on MTV on Friday, January 3, 8pm. After the fantastic Season 16, we have high hopes for this new crop of queens!
The 14 competing queens were ru-vealed today, as were their underwater-themed promo looks. We’ve watched the Meet the Queens, considered the looks, and have ranked our Top 10 from the season below. Disagree with our takes? Want to talk about which new queen excites YOU? Drop a comment below.
10. Onya Nurve (Cleveland, OH)
It DO take nerve to wear a fin-inspired mohawk hairpiece! I appreciated that bold choice, and I thought the see-through blue trench and matching shorts and crop top were clever, well made, and interesting. I did not care for the base garments, but there was obvious thought and creativity involved here. Her Meet the Queen pushed her into my Top 10; I found Onya bright and bubbly. She seems sharp — speech and debate state champion! The art references! — and I am excited to meet her.
9. Lydia B. Kollins (Pittsburgh, PA)
What I like: the color is gorgeous; it’s an interesting take on the water theme; the quilting approach adds volume to the arms, making her core more petite. What’s challenging: I think we have a fit issue on the bust. It doesn’t look cinched, and overall she looks bulkier than I suspect she intended. I know we’re not supposed to compare new queens to existing queens, but looking at that mug all I can see is Daya Betty (which is not a bad thing!). I liked the MTQ; the Butthole stuff was charming. She’s an alternative gothy/grungy queen who seemingly does it all — she makes her clothes, mixes, etc. She’s into puppets? Fascinating.
8. Joella (Los Angeles, CA)
I will never understand queens who just throw away the branding opportunity that is their name. Regardless; I like the colors here. I like the train. I LOVE the wig and the mug. I like the large applique across the chest, which turns into a dripping detail. It’s not the most modern look, but it definitely fits the brief. In Joella’s MTQ she described herself as “classic drag with a modern twist,” and that’s exactly what she’s giving here. Joella comes across as a queen who is hungry for success, and I would not cross her. There’s a chip on the shoulder, which could make for a fiery character.
7. Crystal Envy (Asbury Park, NJ)
This is simple but effective. The movement of the shoulder pieces and skirt give sea anemone. The wig is meticulous. What I get from this look is that Crystal has a refined aesthetic, and knows how to give an impactful look that’s not overwhelmed by a million details. I liked the Meet the Queen interview, although the personality was fairly reserved. Crystal seemed assured and lowkey, but polished and well rounded. I hope she can live up to that.
6. Arrietty (Seattle, WA)
The look on its own is very cool. It’s crazy busy, but I think the mix of textures and details is compelling. I absolutely love whatever the hell is going on with that hairpiece. I could not see her eyes in that make-up, and I wonder if that’s a signature thing. As for the Meet the Queens, it was a flop for me — easily the worst of the bunch, although I suspect part of that might be generational. She seemed deliberately standoffish. I don’t know why you would make your first impression this offputting and awkward, but here we are.
5. Jewels Sparkles (Tample, FL)
Beautiful. The headpiece is stunning. Obsessed with that massive teardrop crystal bag she rocked on the runway. The mug and wig are perfection. This is full womana fantasy. The garment itself is both maximalist — the train and bust details — and minimalist, in that she’s almost naked. I found her immediately likable in the interview. She used to compete in competitive pantomimes, which is…wild. She’s very much a queen raised on Drag Race, but I think she may have the goods.
4. Acacia Forgot (Los Angeles, CA)
From the waist up this look is a Shoot. The bottom part is bold, but I’m not sure the mix of fabrics and cutouts is fully successful; it feels messy and unresolved. Great interpretation of the water theme, though. And it’s old-school as hell, but I love that wig. Her Meet the Queen left me torn. I love that she’s so musical, and I totally got the Dolly Parton vibe off of her even before she mentioned it. I found the cockiness offputting, and that laugh... Very interested to see her talent-show number.
3. Lana Ja’Rae (New York, NY)
Beautiful. Both the garment and the queen. This is giving me sea nymph, this is giving me yassified Creature the Black Lagoon. This is how you create an actual illusion with illusion netting. That blue ombre ponytail is spectacular. The spines on the sleeves were a great detail that took this from gorgeous to fierce. As for the interview, I liked pretty much everything Lana was saying, but I did not connect with the energy with which she said it. There was a monotonous quality that I’m hoping is a fluke and not an indication of what her talking heads will be.
2. Lucky Starzzz (Miami, FL)
A terrific promo look. The shells in the trans colors. The fucking pearl wig. That mug is SO right. It’s a Shoot! I also loved Lucky’s interview. She’s not just incredibly creative and bold in her aesthetic, but there’s a playful sweetness to her. She calls herself a “Venus fly trap in a room full of roses,” and says that in a world full of minimalism, be extra. YES! She’s hilarious. “We are a cast of young, dramatic-ass bitches.” I got that for sure. Great debut for Lucky!
Sam Star (Birminham, AL)
I assumed Lucky would have the top spot on lock. Then we got to Sam Star. This is fucking glamour. This is EXPENNY HENNY. The bubble fantasy going up the gown, the flowing tiers at the mermaid skirt…everything about this right. This is a look that a winner would wear for a stepdown, and she showed up in it at her PROMO. Impressive. I also enjoyed Sam’s Meet the Queen. The poise feels very pageant, but the energy is modern. She seems professional, and has an easy charm about her, while also clearly being able to put a bitch in her place. So excited to see Sam in Season 17.
Outside Our Top 10
Let me be clear: nobody flopped these promos. Even the queens who fell outside my Top 10 ranking looked good, and it was a struggle to determine who would get left out. (If they wore clothes.)
Suzie Toot (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
With a name like Suzie Toot, you immediately expect some kind of Betty Boop fantasia, and that’s what Suzie gave us here. It’s a perfectly good promo look. I also loved her Meet the Queen. Suzie has an easy charm and a quick wit. RuPaul will LOVE her. RuPaul will love just saying her NAME.
Kori King (Boston, MA)
I’m not sure how this fits the prompt. What about this look says water/wet? Is it a shark homage? The fabric and structure are beautiful – the shimmer, the flow. It just seems detached from everything else, and not particularly memorable. That said, I enjoyed Kori’s interview. Great energy and engagement. I ended up fully loving Kori by the end of her Meet the Queen.
Hormona Lisa (Chattanooga, TN)
I think Hormona was done dirty by the promo video. She stripped her outfit down to just a bejeweled swimsuit and gloves, and the first impression I had was, This is much too simple. But her actual promo shot shows it’s a full-length gown with a jellyfish-like shrug. I still think it’s one of the less exciting looks, but much more impactful than the initial impression. Beautiful wig and mug, though! She’s folksy in her interview, but seemed to struggle with focus — both pulling it from the viewer, and staying on the point. Overall, an inauspicious debut for Hormona.
Lexi Love (Louisville, KY)
On the one hand, what is more CUNT than showing up for your Drag Race promo almost totally fucking naked? On the other, what are you telling viewers with a first impression that is literally a panty, nipple shields, stripper heels, and a shit ton of silver glitter? I don’t have an answer. But I really liked Lexi’s Meet the Queen interview. There’s a scrappiness to this queen, but I also got a big heart, too. I get the feeling that she’s holding a lot to her chest. Which means that’s all now covered in glitter. I loved that wig more the longer I looked at it. Lexi is an enigma, and I’m excited to learn more.
Are you excited for Drag Race Season 17? Leave a comment below!
