'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 introduced a new elimination twist called the Badonka Dunk Tank. The twist was introduced in episode 2, aired on January 10, 2025, during the second part of the season premiere.
The episode included the talent show challenge, runway presentations, and lip sync battles, but the Badonka Dunk Tank added a final step for eliminated queens to potentially stay in the race. The twist allowed a queen who lost the lip sync to pull one of ten levers displayed on stage.
The twist debuted with Hormona Lisa, who lost her lip sync against Acacia Forgot but pulled a lever that dunked Michelle Visage. This outcome allowed her to rejoin the competition, leaving all 14 queens still in the race.
Trending
How the Badonka Dunk Tank Twist works in RuPaul's Drag Race season 17?
The Badonka Dunk Tank twist introduced a new element to the elimination process on RuPaul's Drag Race season 17. This twist provided eliminated queens with a chance to avoid leaving the competition. After losing a lip sync, the eliminated queen faced a choice on stage, where ten levers were presented.
Two of these levers were connected to a dunk tank that held Michelle Visage. If the queen pulled one of the correct levers, it activated the tank, causing Michelle to fall into the water, and the queen was saved from elimination. The remaining eight levers did nothing. If the queen pulled one of these, she was officially out of the competition.
As the twist unfolded, Hormona approached the levers and chose one at random. To the surprise of the queens and judges, she pulled one of the two correct levers. The action triggered the dunk tank, sending Michelle Visage into the water and saving Hormona from exit. RuPaul announced:
“Condragulations, you’re staying in the competition.”
With this result, all 14 queens remained in the RuPaul's Drag Race competition. The Badonka Dunk Tank twist left all the queens on edge, knowing that elimination may not always be final.
Other episode highlights from RuPaul's Drag Race
Episode 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 featured the second group of seven queens competing in the talent show challenge. Lexi Love’s roller derby-themed act stood out among the performances, which secured her a spot in the top two alongside Crystal Envy. The judges commended both queens for their efforts, leading to a lip sync showdown where Lexi emerged as the challenge winner.
Onya Nurve’s singing act and Sam Star’s energetic dance routine were solid enough to keep them safe but didn’t place them in the top. Meanwhile, Hormona Lisa’s choice of stand-up comedy didn’t connect with the audience or her fellow queens, making her the lowest-scored act in the Rate-A-Queen twist.
The runway challenge followed, where the queens presented looks based on different themes. Lexi Love’s TV screen-inspired outfit and Crystal Envy’s polished design stood out. Meanwhile, Hormona Lisa’s Marie Antoinette-inspired ensemble received mixed reviews, placing her at the bottom.
The Rate-A-Queen twist added drama as the queens ranked each other’s performances. This system, where one group rated the other, was a significant part of the season’s premiere episodes as well.
Fans can watch the new episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race, airing every Friday at 8 pm ET.
