RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Episode 14 recap: Bold headliner performances set the stage for the grand finale

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 Episode 14 brought drama, glitz, and grit to the stage as the top four queens took on their most difficult task to date: leading their own solo performances. This was the final episode before the grand finale. The episode, "How's Your Headliner?" focused on demonstrating star power, and each queen had a point to make.

The queens created creative routines that highlighted their own drag personas, including everything from choreography to comedy and sheer charisma. Sapphira Cristál wowed the judges with a powerful vocal performance, Plane Jane combined sass and polish, Morphine Love Dion provided high-energy Miami heat, and Q gave an emotive, dramatic performance. There was intense rivalry and a noticeable push to place among the top three.

Even though each of the four gave exceptional performances, it was evident that certain queens advanced more than others. RuPaul herself gave Sapphira high marks, confirming her position as the front-runner. Fans are left wondering who will win the title in what is expected to be one of the most talented finales in Drag Race history as the glitter settles and the finale approaches.

What happened in RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 Episode 14?

The queens faced a complex task intended to assess their adaptability and stage presence in RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 Episode 14, which escalated the competition. In the "How's Your Headliner?" episode, the competitors had to complete several tasks, such as a live performance of RuPaul's song "Gift Shop," a promotional film, and a photo shoot. These tasks were crucial in deciding who would move on to the competition's final round.

Jewel breaks Onya's winning streak

With an outstanding four-game win streak that put her in the lead for the title, Onya Nurve has proven herself to be a strong competitor throughout the season. But the 14th episode was a watershed. Jewel Sparkles was exceptional in every aspect of the challenge, but she really excelled in her live rendition of "Gift Shop." She won the coveted episode title -- thanks to her ability to enthrall the judges and the crowd, ending Onya's run of straight victories.

Jewel's victory earned her a $5,000 cash prize and a place in the prestigious RuPaul's Drag Race Live event in Las Vegas. The judges' choice highlighted Jewel's development and adaptability and indicated a change in the competition's dynamics as the final drew near.

Sam Defeats Suzie in the lip-sync round

The bottom two contenders, Sam Star and Suzie Toot, were at the center of the episode's climax. The judges thought Suzie's performance in the multidimensional challenge lacked the requisite impact, even though she had performed consistently throughout the season. As a result, she and Sam engaged in a lip-sync duel to the vintage Diana Ross & The Supremes song "Love Child."

To guarantee their spot in the competition, both queens gave their all during the performance. In a shocking turn of events, Suzie was eliminated because RuPaul thought Sam's performance was better. Suzie had been regarded as a serious contender for the title. Therefore, this result surprised several contenders and fans. Her exit changed the course of the campaign and created an unusual route to the championship match.

You can watch the entire episode of RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV.

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Edited by Debanjana