Lydia B Kollins Reflects on Her ‘Disaster’ Lip-Sync Stunt That Led to Her Elimination from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17
The latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 delivered an unforgettable moment as contestant Lydia B Kollins found herself at the center of a lip-sync mishap that ultimately sealed her fate in the competition. Looking back on the incident, Lydia has now opened up about what went wrong and how she feels about her dramatic exit.
A Risky Stunt Gone Wrong
After struggling in the “Ross Matthews vs. The Ducks” acting challenge in Episode 11, Lydia B Kollins landed in the bottom two alongside fellow competitor Lana Ja’Rae. Both queens had previously been in the bottom twice, making the lip-sync a high-stakes battle. However, what was meant to be a show-stopping stunt turned into an unfortunate spectacle when Lydia attempted to cut herself free from her elaborate black and white gown using a pair of scissors hidden in her costume.
Performing to Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ hit song Unholy, Lydia tried to execute a dramatic transformation by slashing through her dress. However, the thick material proved much more resistant than expected, leaving her awkwardly struggling mid-performance. In a last-ditch effort, she attempted to step out of the outfit but found herself trapped. Forced to continue with one leg still tangled in the gown, Lydia ultimately dropped to the floor and tried to yank the fabric off her heels. The chaotic sequence left the judges unimpressed, leading to her elimination.
Lydia’s Reflection on the Mishap
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Lydia admitted she had never rehearsed the stunt, which contributed to its failure.
“Those scissors were just [sitting] in my breast cup for the entire night. In hindsight, I should’ve just kept them there and kept chucking along with the lip-sync,” she reflected.
She went on to acknowledge that she got lost in her own head during the moment.
“That Kim Petras verse lasts nine years when you’re trying to cut yourself out of a gown made of thick carpet material and faux fur. It was a recipe for disaster. Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges—pack your bags! I was just hoping for a miracle at that point.”
Fan Backlash Over Arrietty’s Mirror Message
Beyond her elimination, Lydia also addressed the controversy surrounding a mirror message left by her Season 17 sister, Arrietty, who had been eliminated in the previous episode.
When the queens returned to the Werk Room at the start of Episode 11, they were met with Arrietty’s parting words: “As one smelly b**h to another, Onya, please brush your teeth.”* The remark sparked outrage online after Onya tearfully revealed that she has a medical condition affecting her dental hygiene. Many fans condemned Arrietty’s message as needlessly cruel and inappropriate.
Lydia weighed in on the backlash, acknowledging the emotional intensity of eliminations.
“It’s no secret that Arrietty might be good at doing drag. Some might say. Surprisingly. Her runways will be missed heavily,” Lydia remarked. “Getting eliminated is a tough thing, so she was probably just fired up in the moment.”
What’s Next for Lydia B Kollins?
Although her Drag Race journey ended in an unexpected and unfortunate way, Lydia remains a beloved personality among fans. With her signature wit and bold fashion choices, she is sure to continue making waves in the drag community. Whether through social media, live performances, or future reality TV opportunities, Lydia B Kollins’ story is far from over.
As for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, the competition continues to heat up with each passing episode. Fans can only wait and see which queen will rise to the top and claim the coveted crown.
