Arrietty Sashays with Singular Seattle Flavor on Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race

Finally! Another Seattle drag queen becomes an official RuGirl!

Arrietty, a local Seattle drag queen, is one of the fortunate queens to make it to the newest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 17). Having premiered on January 3, 2025, this season is sure to be a refuge in a time when queer people need it the most.

Arrietty is adding to the extensive legacy of past Seattle queens like Jinx Monsoon (Season 5, All-Stars 7), BenDeLaCreme (Season 6, All-Stars 3), Robbie Turner (Season 8), Bosco (Season 14), and Irene “the Alien” Dubois (Season 15). Arrietty, 28, is the drag daughter of Irene “the Alien” Dubois and hopes to outlast her own drag mother who went home first on Season 15.

During the “Meet the Queens of Drag Race Season 17” teaser video, viewers got the opportunity to learn more about all the queens and their lives while also predicting potential frontrunners before they ever walk into the infamous Werk Room. In said video, Arrietty touches on her inspirations, her drag style, Seattle Drag, and much more.

Arrietty’s “Is it Cake?” runway look / Jonsi Serrano

Arrietty reflects on her childhood interests that have shaped and influenced her drag style. Growing up, she would draw and sculpt. Identifying as an “artsy” queen, her whimsical and dark fantasy style proves to be authentically unique from prior competitors.

Art seems to always resonate somewhere along the queer experience and queer identity. Whether it’s through theater, comedy, visual, literary, etc., art always finds its place.

Drawing inspiration from cartoons and anime, Arrietty allows it to trickle down through her drag style. Even her drag name came from the protagonist of the Studio Ghibli movie The Secret World of Arrietty, a Hayao Miyazaki film.

In addition to her vast realms of inspiration, Arrietty dives deep into the Seattle drag scene. She portrays it as “cool” and “alternative” and states that one “can have more fun with drag”. Freedom of expression seems to be a fundamental component across the board of the dynamic art form. She further deepens drag’s impact on both the viewer and the drag queen, as Seattle drag is not about perfection, but testing new ideas while pushing past limits of what already is working to propel forward.

My favorite quote of Arrietty’s from the “Meet the Queens” video occurred when she was describing Seattle drag. She states it’s about “throwing your balls to the wall and smashing them with a pumpkin”. The sheer quirkiness and chaos of Seattle drag serves as a haven for weirdos and misfits alike.

When asked what the biggest misconception about herself was, Arrietty responded with the idea that “she is good at everything”. She was candid about owning up to her own flaws and how different queens excel at different realms and forms of drag. Was it possible she was alluding to her potential elimination? That is yet to be determined.

Arrietty’s fit for her first entrance to the Werkroom on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Jonsi Serrano

With the first two episodes already released, the 14 queens entered the workroom for the very first time, completed their first mini challenge, and were split into two groups for their first main challenge of the season: “Drag Queens Got Talent”.  

With seven girls performing each week, the queens quickly began showcasing what they do best. Both weeks were full of high energy numbers as well as alluring runway looks.

In any season, the talent show serves as an appetizer to set the tone for the rest of the season. It’s a chance to not only show RuPaul what one can do, but more importantly, show the rest of the fandom what one can do and what kind of queen you are and want to be.

Arrietty, who performed in week one, completed a traditional folk dance while paying homage to her Mexican American heritage. Although I found myself wanting more and more, I have a feeling Arrietty didn’t want to expose her hidden arsenal just yet.

Season 17 brought back “Rate A Queen” from season 16 where the contestants got to rank their fellow queens. Whether they made the decision to vote fairly or strategically, “Rate A Queen” is sure to stir up the drama while upping the level for the competition.

In the second episode of the season, a new twist was introduced. After losing a lip sync, The Badonka Dunk offered the bottom queen one last chance to save herself from elimination.

Although we haven’t seen her lip sync against another queen yet, I am anticipating what Arrietty will pull out when an elimination is on the line. With two runways down, I can’t wait to see what looks she pulls from her whimsical yet dark little mind.

In addition, I am eager to see Arrietty’s progression and elevation during the competition. Her keen eye and distinct attention to detail are necessary attributes for a future winner. I have high hopes for Arrietty to become America’s next Drag Superstar.

When watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, I quickly learned to expect the unexpected with shady drama, sickening runways, and fierce and ferocious lip syncs. There is always something for everyone. With alliances and romances already forming in the first two episodes, I am looking forward to watching them unfold throughout the season.

Although the show has broken down monumental barriers for the queer community through its elevation and growing appreciation for the queer art form, I implore you to visit a local drag show and support your local drag queens. Who knows? One of them might just be a future “America’s Next Drag Superstar”.

Drag is just one facet of queer culture. Queer representation on television offers essential inspiration for budding queer voices who yearn to spread their own creativity.

After living in Seattle for less than a year, my heart and identity fully lie here. With the city behind her, Arrietty continues to make a name for Seattle, drag, and herself.