Who Will Win ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17? Ranking the Queens After Episode 3

RuPaul’s Drag Race is back and that means that in a few short month we’ll know America’s Next Drag Superstar v.17. After three weeks, we’ve only eliminated one queen, but we’ve seen our girls walk in three runways, compete in two maxi challenges and deliver plenty of confessionals. So while we still have months before the finale, we’ve got a lot of information already as pertains to the 13 remaining queens.

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Which brings us to the question: Who will win Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race?

To that end, I’ve put together a ranking of the full cast of drag queens competing on this season, ordered from least likely to most likely to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar. It’s a power ranking if you will, and while there are supposed spoilers on dark corners of the internet, I haven’t read any of them. And to clarify, this ranking relates specifically to their chances at winning Season 17 and not just making it far.

Last week I ranked Lucky Starzzz in 8th place overall, but with her elimination, and the season’s first design challenge, the rankings have shifted quite a bit.

You can read last week’s ranking here, and check back every week throughout the season for updated rankings as the queens are eliminated. But without further ado, here’s our ranking after Episode 3.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Episodes 3 power rankings

13. Joella

Last Week: 12th
Track Record: Safe, Bottom

Joella is not doing herself any favors by constantly badmouthing her competitors, and for the second Maxi challenge in a row, she’s talked a big game and come up short. Her green bodysuit was a direct attack on Michelle Visage‘s eyes, and Joella was nearly sent home this week. I can’t see her lasting much longer.

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12. Acacia Forgot

Last Week: 13th
Track Record: Bottom, Safe

I really am rooting for Acacia Forgot and her nudity-prone runway looks. However, she seems very stuck in this 80s Dolly Parton aesthetic, which I love for her as a branding moment, but think will not particularly impress the judges. I’m interested to see how she performs in a comedy challenge, but so far she’s had trouble breaking out of the pack.

11. Hormona Lisa

Last Week: 14th
Track Record: Eliminated/Saved, Safe

I moved Hormona Lisa slightly up the list because I was impressed with her sewing abilities this week. While that hideous shade of orange really ruins this garment, the construction is strong. Knowing how to sew will certainly earn her a few more easy weeks if she can survive the performance-based challenges.

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10. Kori King

Last Week: 6th
Track Record: Safe, Bottom

If I was Kori King, I’d be less eager to get the eliminations started. This Big Bird-themed number is really a hot mess, and sure part of it might be the color, but I just don’t think Kori has much of an eye for fashion. I think that is going to hurt her as we move forward, even if no one really soared in this design challenge in the way Dawn and Nymphia Wind did last year. It feels like the Kori/Hormona fight could lead to both their early exits a la Brita Filter and Aiden Zhane.

9. Lana Ja’Rae

Last Week: 11th
Track Record: Safe, Safe

I liked this little red number, but it is very safe, and with two safes in a row, I’m not really sure when we’re going to see Miss Lana break out from the pack.

8. Arrietty

Last Week: 10th
Track Record: Safe, Top

This Arrietty number was the most imaginative of the week and exquisitely designed. Since she is such a look queen, I assumed she’d land in the top during a fashion challenge. That said, we’ve yet to see her shine anywhere other than the runway.

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7. Lydia B. Kollins

Last Week: 5th
Track Record: Safe, Safe

RuPaul is still obsessed with Lydia Butthole Kollins. That said, she’s also yet to show us her strengths other than a general kookiness. She’s going to need to earn a spot in the top soon or she’s going to start landing in the bottom.

6. Suzie Toot

Last Week: 4th
Track Record: Win, Safe

After her win in week one, this devil-themed number is good enough to keep her as a frontrunner. I don’t think we expected a lot of breathtaking fashion from the vaudeville queen anyway. She’s just biding her time until the next comedy challenge.

5. Onya Nurve

Last Week: 9th
Track Record: Safe, Top

Onya landing in the top was certainly the shocker of the week, given that her fashion looks in the first two episodes were average to bad. However, I think some of her success came due to a fairly weak field of designs, partially due to a bad challenge theme that left half the cast in hideous shades of orange and yellow. RuPaul also does love Onya, so I expect she’ll be here a while, but I’m not sure I’m seeing he polish of a winner.

4. Lexi Love

Last Week: 1st
Track Record: Win, Safe

While I adore Lexi Love, I think her aesthetic is a bit on the oddball side (for better and for worse). This runway gambit involving a bolt of fabric distracted from the fact that her dress was very basic. Her personality is fire, but I’m beginning to think the quality of her ideas will vary greatly.

3. Jewels Sparkles

Last Week: 2nd
Track Record: Top, Safe

Even without the trim on her cone-bra dress, Jewels presented one of the most fashionable looks in Episode 3. While she was called safe, she was certainly in the upper half of the contestants, and unlike some of the other fashion queens, she’s got plenty of personality to go with her pretty clothes.

2. Crystal Envy

Last Week: 7th
Track Record: Top, Safe

The New Jersey pageant queen is a bit of a dark horse so far. While she doesn’t have the biggest personality, she landed in the top during the premier and turned out a gorgeous evening gown for this runway. We shall see how she fares in a comedy challenge, but I think when it comes to design and performance, she’s smooth sailing.

1. Sam Star

Last Week: 3rd
Track Record: Safe, Win

Miss Sam Star has taken the top spot this week after taking home the first challenge win determined by RuPaul. Sam has boundless energy, strong sewing skills and a distinct brand. I can’t imagine her being eliminated anytime soon and if she can rack up a few more wins, she could be snatching that Season 17 crown.

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