Who went home in RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 episode 2? Details explored

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 episode 2, titled Drag Queens Got Talent, aired on MTV on January 10, 2024, and was full of drama and surprises. The episode, which was a continuation of the two-part premiere saw seven contestants from the second group showcase their talents in front of the judges. Apart from RuPaul Charles, the other judges on this season are Michelle Visage, Ts Madison, and guest judge Doechii.

While many queens shined, the episode ended with Hormona Lisa and Acacia Forgot landing at the bottom after a peer-rating system determined their placement. Despite a lip-sync performance, Hormona was ultimately saved by the 'Badonka Donk' dunk tank twist, leaving no one eliminated this week.

The structure of the RuPaul’s Drag Race episode allowed the queens from the first group to rate their peers, bringing alliances, rivalries, and strategy into play. With comedic attempts in performances, and a runway theme titled "Is It Cake?," the queens battled for their place in the competition.

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Full recap of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 episode 2

The latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race began with the remaining seven queens entering the Werk Room and preparing for their round of Drag Queens Got Talent. The seven queens performing this week included Crystal Envy, Hormona Lisa, Kori King, Lana Ja’Rae, Lexi Love, Onya Nurve, and Sam Star.

Unlike the previous week, RuPaul skipped the mini-challenge and introduced a special guest, Lawrence Chaney, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2. Lawrence announced the runway theme, Is It Cake? and Queens were tasked with presenting a look that creatively exposed their backsides.

The queens displayed a mix of emotions leading up to their performances. Lucky Starzzz, who had struggled in week one, expressed concern about her aesthetic not fitting the runway theme. Meanwhile, Kori King explored a potential romantic connection with Lydia B Kollins.

The episode also saw tensions arise as Jewels Sparkles and Arrietty speculated about Lexi Love’s upcoming roller skate performance. They referred to her as “grandma” and predicted potential failure. The talent show commenced with each queen presenting unique acts to the judges.

Some of the notable performances included Lexi Love, Sam Star, Onya Nurve, and Hormona Lisa. Lexi impressed the audience with a roller skate routine full of tricks and earned praise from the judges for her stage presence and creativity.

Onya Nurve, impressed the panel with a catchy rap track, In-n-Out, earning applause for her concise and memorable hook.

Meanwhile, the judges said that while Sam Star's country-inspired act was polished, it lacked excitement. Hormona Lisa, struggled with a stand-up comedy routine that awkwardly blended humor and serious topics, leaving the audience unimpressed.

The runway presentations under the Is It Cake? theme showcased varying levels of creativity. Michelle Visage critiqued two queens for their Marie Antoinette-inspired looks, noting that it had been done "too many times."

“Stop doing Marie Antoinette. It’s been done too many times,” Michelle said.

In a twist, the judging of RuPaul’s Drag Race talent show was handed over to the queens. Using the 'Rate-a-Queen' system, the contestants ranked their peers, bringing alliances and strategies into focus. Arrietty rated Lana Ja’Rae highest, while Acacia strategically placed Hormona Lisa at the bottom, hoping to face her in a potential lip-sync battle.

When the scores were tallied, Lexi Love and Crystal Envy emerged as the top two performers. They faced off in a lip sync to Doechii’s Alter Ego, with Lexi ultimately winning the challenge in RuPaul’s Drag Race and earning a $5,000 cash prize. At the opposite end, Acacia Forgot and Hormona Lisa were placed in the bottom two.

The queens battled in the Lip Sync for Your Life to Ariana Grande’s Yes, And? Although the panel was not impressed by their performances, Acacia delivered a memorable moment by pulling a makeup brush out of her exposed backside, which likely saved her from elimination.

However, before RuPaul could send Hormona home, a new twist, the Badonka Donk dunk tank, was introduced. Hormona was given a chance to save herself by pulling a lever that could potentially dunk Michelle Visage into a tank of water.

With two out of ten levers offering a successful outcome, Hormona defied the odds and chose correctly, saving herself from elimination and ensuring all queens remained in the competition.

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Watch new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 airing every Friday at 8 pm ET.