
Heading into the 14th episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul Charles had just given a “double shantay” to bottom two queens Onya Nurve and Jewels Sparkles, meaning nobody went home. That decision left five people still in the competition, with the others being Lexi Love, Sam Star, and Suzie Toot.
This week, the top five girls find out what it’s like to star in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. (The stage show just celebrated its 1,000th performance.) Joining Ru on the Main Stage as judges were bestie Michelle Visage, series recurring star Ross Mathews, and special guest Tracee Ellis Ross. Read on for our recap of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, Episode 14, titled “How’s Your Headliner?” which aired Friday, April 4 on MTV.
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Photo Credit: MTV – Credit: MTV
MTV
“I’m so excited, I could pee!” — Sam Star
Onya declares that Mama Ru had “no choice” but to save her and Jewels last week after they both “killed” the lip sync. Sam is “annoyed” because nobody was eliminated and now they all have to compete again for the top four. Jewels is confident that she will “make it to the end” of the season. And Onya is “ready to fight” the others in order to claim the crown. Let’s go!
For this week’s maxi challenge, the girls will audition to star in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Vegas. They will have to steal the spotlight via attention-grabbing publicity photos and a promotional video, perform a music number to the song “Gift Shop,” and sit down with former contestant Latrice Royale for an interview. Ru tells the players that “at least one” of them will be going home by the end of the episode.
“I’m so excited, I could pee!” Sam screams while sitting down to plot the challenge. “I think I just did,” laughs Lexi. Sam’s plan is to be himself, a “shady, country, fabulous diva.” Onya wants to do a one-woman show with a “lot of nerve,” in the vein of Whoopi Goldberg and Viola Davis. Suzie’s idea is “anything goes” with a sailor tap-dancing theme.

Photo Credit: VH1 – Credit: Courtesy of VH1
Courtesy of VH1
“Can we get those nuts away from my face? ‘Cause I’m hungry.” — Latrice Royale
Ru and celebrity photographer Albert Sanchez are overseeing the photoshoot for the top five. “This is one of those water shows in Las Vegas,” Ru laughs when the pit crew members stand around a kneeling Jewels. Onya jokes around with the male models about how it’s not about them. When Ru picks up Sam’s dress to move it to a better position, the contestant declares, “I will never wash this dress ever. I want that DNA to be on the train of that dress until I die.” Sam later admits she’s “very dick-stracted by all the bulges” from the dancers. Suzie seems out of place in the photoshoot, which Ru notices. Lexi also has some trouble taking instructions, particularly when it comes to showing off her teeth.
It’s time for Latrice to interview the queens to see if they have any “headlining potential,” to which Sam declares, “I love head.” Latrice calls Sam a “star” after she delivers an impromptu performance of “Jesus is a Biscuit,” both as herself and as Cher. Latrice worries that Onya is “in her head too much” and not quite “a joy” to be around. Suzie is the first girl since Latrice to be on Drag Race from Fort Lauderdale, so they share an instant bond. Lexi admits her worst quality is that she’s a “cry baby” and that it could be related to her transition. Jewels says her worst moment was when Arrietty stole her jokes during the roast, but laughs that she sent her home later that day.
Latrice ends the day by asking, “Now that this interview is over, can we get those nuts away from my face? ‘Cause I’m hungry.” That’s a callback to her earlier season, and one of the most famous quotes to ever come out of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Photo Credit: MTV – Credit: MTV
MTV
“It wasn’t Vegas. It wasn’t even Reno.” — Ross Mathews
All five finalists dance and lip sync to “Gift Shop,” a song all about the merchandise up for purchase at RuPaul’s Drag Race Live. The runway category is “Opulent Outerwear.” Jewels feels like an “angel” as she’s dressed head to toe in white feathers. Lexi is wearing a purple “puffer coat of your dreams” with heart mirror pieces. Onya is “gorgeous” in her multi-pattern coat with golden medallions and large door-knocker earrings. Sam feels “stunning” in her fully glass rhinestone evening gown and orange velvet cape. And Suzie is giving “opulent Suzie” in her authentic 1920s red cocoon coat.
The judges didn’t see vulnerability with Jewels, until she admitted that she didn’t have a plan for five years down the line. Lexi’s critiques are mostly positive, except for Ross’ take on her promotional video. Ross and Tracee both felt “eye-f–ked” by Onya during her musical performance, but Ru brings up her “guarded” personality. Sam’s orange look “ages her,” Ross remarks, while Tracee felt “disconnected” by her promo video. Suzie’s tap-dancing sailor routine received this hilarious critique from Ross: “It wasn’t Vegas. It wasn’t even Reno.”
The judges deliberate and decide that the winner of the challenge is Jewels, while Lexi and Onya are both safe. Jewels wins a cash tip of $5,000 and an invitation to join the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, that means Sam and Suzie are in the bottom two this week. They lip sync to “Love Child” by Diana Ross & the Supremes, and Suzie soon removes her red coat. Before the end of the song, the girls share an emotional embrace as the lyrics talk about loving each other.
RuPaul makes her decision and saves Sam Star, thereby sending home Suzie Toot in fifth place. That’s a wrap!
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