Last night, Pittsburgh’s own cinematic queen, Lydia B. Kollins, bid farewell to RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 in a way only she could—by getting tangled in her own dress mid-lip sync. And honestly? It was kind of perfect.
From the moment Lydia stomped into the Werk Room in her Beetlejuice-inspired entrance look, she proved she was here to bring something weird, witty, and a little bit gritty to the competition. With a punk rock sensibility, a campy heart, and a love for all things DIY and theatrical, Lydia’s journey on Season 17 was anything but predictable.
And, of course, there was Butthole.
Lydia’s instantly iconic middle name—yes, Butthole—became a viral sensation and a rallying cry for fans. It got RuPaul cackling, it had Pittsburgh screaming, and it cemented Lydia’s status as one of the season’s most memorable personalities. But beyond the laughs, Team Butthole became a community—a space for the oddballs, the artists, and the ones who never quite fit the mold.
And that’s exactly what Lydia embodied throughout her time on the show.
While some queens strut into Drag Race with a perfectly polished package, Lydia arrived with a chaotic creativity that was just as thrilling as it was unpredictable. Her fashion was often unconventional (and, let’s be real, not always successful), but her vision was undeniable. Whether it was a puppet talent show act that didn’t quite land, a fringe-heavy fashion risk, or an acting challenge performance where she struggled to push her volume, Lydia’s choices were always bold.
Lydia’s run started off rocky—floating in the mid-tier placements, never quite breaking through. But then, just when everyone started counting her out, she flipped the narrative.
Her biggest moment came in the roast challenge, where she shocked everyone by delivering a set full of dry, clever humor that had the judges gagging. That win proved that Lydia wasn’t just here to be the quirky queen with an absurd middle name—she was a real competitor, and she wasn’t afraid to fight for her spot.
But it wasn’t just her comedy skills that shone. Lydia consistently brought one of the most unique artistic perspectives of the season. Whether or not the execution was always there, she had a point of view, and that’s something that sets apart the greats from the merely good.
Of course, no discussion of Lydia’s time on Drag Race would be complete without mentioning her relationship with fellow contestant Kori King. What started as a playful showmance quickly became one of the season’s most compelling arcs, culminating in an electrifying lip sync showdown to Kiss Me Deadly.
It was queer, it was messy, and it was so good. The two queens, fully leaning into it, delivered a performance that had the judges gagging—culminating in an in-lip-sync makeout moment that instantly entered the Drag Race herstory books.
While Lydia survived that battle, Kori’s elimination left her in a vulnerable spot. Without her showmance partner, Lydia had to fight harder than ever to prove she was more than just a storyline.
Lydia’s elimination episode was classic Butthole energy from start to finish. After a season of struggling to make her drag fit into the Drag Race mold, she found herself in the bottom once more—this time against fellow underdog Lana.
The lip sync? “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. The moment? Pure chaos.
Lydia, ever the dramatist, made a big swing by trying to tear open her dress during the Kim Petras verse. But, in true Butthole fashion, the move backfired—leaving her tangled up in her own outfit as Lana powered through with a split.
And just like that, Lydia’s run came to an end.
While she may not have made it to the final four, Lydia B. Kollins leaves Drag Race Season 17 with something even more important: a legacy.
She proved that drag isn’t just about looking expensive or following the rules—it’s about storytelling, humor, and embracing the weirdest, most wonderful parts of yourself. She built a community of fans who saw themselves in her unapologetic strangeness. She made us laugh, made us scream “BUTTHOLE,” and gave us some of the best Drag Race moments in years.
And most importantly, she represented Pittsburgh in all its gritty, indie glory.
While her Drag Race journey has come to an end, Lydia’s story is just beginning. With her unique artistic eye and sharp comedic instincts, she’s primed for a major post-Drag Race run. Whether she’s performing live, crafting new cinematic drag looks, or leaning into her growing fanbase, one thing is clear:
The world hasn’t seen the last of Butthole. Can you say “All Stars?”
Pittsburgh, keep chanting. Team Butthole forever.
