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After weeks of runway walks, tough critiques, emotional confessions, and lip sync battles, Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is finally down to its final four. What started as a 14-queen lineup is now a tight competition between four very different drag performers, each with their own style, strengths, and fanbase. And with the finale set to air on April 18, the race to become America’s Next Drag Superstar has never been closer.
While the finale format hasn’t been revealed yet, the queens have one last shot to prove they deserve the crown. The most recent episode gave us everything from a “Gift Shop” performance to outerwear opulence, and it all ended with the surprise elimination of a fan favorite.
So, who’s still standing, and who’s got the best shot at winning? Let’s take a look at the final four of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17.
Jewels Sparkles shines in RuPaul's Drag Race when it matters most
Jewels Sparkles has had one of the most unpredictable journeys this season. After a rocky few weeks that included multiple bottom placements, she bounced back at just the right time. Her win in Episode 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race was a game-changer. She nailed the RuPaul’s Drag Race Live challenge, aced her interview with Latrice Royale, and closed the episode with a strong performance of RuPaul’s single “Gift Shop.”
While she may not have the cleanest track record, Jewels now has two wins under her belt—including one in the most crucial challenge of the RuPaul's Drag Race season. Her youthful energy and fresh take on drag have made her a standout. Plus, her quirky charm and comedic timing have turned her into a fan favorite.
“Sometimes being underestimated is the best strategy”
Jewels said in her confessional.
“They don’t see you coming until you’re holding the crown.”
If momentum counts for anything, Jewels is in a solid spot heading into the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Onya Nurve leads with four wins but faces stiff competition
Onya Nurve entered RuPaul’s Drag Race as a polished, pageant-ready queen—and she’s lived up to that title with four impressive wins. Her track record is easily the strongest of the final four, and her performances have been consistently sharp. From her early wins to dominating the challenges mid-season, Onya has proven she's a major contender.
But despite her resume, there’s one concern: her final lip sync against Jewels Sparkles in RuPaul's Drag Race lacked fire. It showed a possible crack in her armor at a crucial point. Plus, her classic drag aesthetic, while flawless, may not align with where the franchise is heading creatively.
Still, she’s confident.
“I came in with elegance, and I’m leaving with grit,”
she told the judges.
“That crown’s got my name on it.”
If the finale comes down to performance alone, Onya could reclaim her frontrunner status and secure the title on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Sam Star is polished, but is she too polished?
Sam Star has been a strong presence all RuPaul's Drag Race long, with three wins and a reputation for precision and poise. She’s served Broadway flair, clean looks, and standout performances in acting and dance challenges. But in recent weeks, the judges have started asking if she's too polished—too perfect, maybe even a little predictable.
It’s a critique that’s stuck with her, especially after landing in the bottom again in RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 14. Even though she survived, it raised eyebrows. The departure of Suzie Toot, another polished Broadway-style queen, didn’t help her case either.
“I’m not just a pageant queen,”
Sam said in the workroom.
“I’m a performer with range. I came here to show that.”
She’ll need to bring something unexpected to the finale to stay in the race. If she can loosen up and connect emotionally, she might just clinch it on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Lexi Love brings the heart—and the lips
Lexi Love might not have the most decorated track record, but she’s got something no one else does: raw emotion and killer lip syncs. She’s often been called “rough around the edges” by the RuPaul's Drag Race judges, but that’s also what makes her performances feel so real. With two wins—one shared—she’s proven she can compete. Her heart-on-sleeve style has carried her through, and she’s a favorite among fans who love an underdog.
What makes Lexi dangerous in the finale is her ability to connect. When she’s lip syncing, it’s hard to look away. And in a season where the finale might come down to that final performance, Lexi has a real shot. Lexi said,
“I don’t need to be perfect. I just need to be real—and that’s what I’ve been from day one.”
If anyone can flip the script at the end of RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s her.
Suzie Toot’s shocking elimination changes the finale dynamic
Suzie Toot was considered a lock for the finale for most of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17. She started strong with a win in the talent show and kept a consistent streak, never placing below safe—until Episode 14. That’s when the judges criticized her for not showing enough versatility and placed her in the bottom alongside Sam Star.
In one of the season’s biggest twists, Suzie was eliminated. It was a reminder that even a strong record doesn’t guarantee safety. Her exit shook both the judges and the queens, and it’s changed the energy going into the finale. Jewels said after the decision,
“If Suzie can go home, none of us are safe,”
Suzie’s departure means the crown is truly up for grabs. The final four each have a different path to the top, and without a clear frontrunner, the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race is set to be unpredictable.
The Season 17 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race will air on April 18, and while the structure hasn’t been confirmed, past seasons suggest we can expect a mix of performances, interviews, and, of course, the all-important final lip sync for the crown.
With Onya Nurve, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, and Sam Star left in the game, the competition is wide open. Each queen has a different strength—whether it’s track record, lip sync skills, or audience appeal.
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Fans are already buzzing about who will take the title, but as always with RuPaul’s Drag Race, anything can happen. The only thing that’s certain? We’ll be entertained.
Whether you're Team Onya, rooting for Lexi’s comeback, vibing with Jewels’ fresh energy, or backing Sam’s polish, the Season 17 finale is not one to miss.
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