‘Drag Race’ eliminated queen Arrietty spills on Jewels Sparkles drama

The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 previously promised that Arrietty — Seattle’s evil fashion elf — was the undisputed villain of the season. It might’ve taken us 10 episodes to get there, but Friday night’s shocking, drama-filled opus of drag excellence proved that Arrietty was simply biding her time before letting all hell break loose on one of the show’s best episodes in recent memory.

Though she ultimately sashayed away from the competition, Arrietty made sure to stir the pot with plenty of spices before she left, conjuring up a theatrical brew after getting angry at her pal, Jewels Sparkles, giving her a shady spot ahead of her during the Villains Roast lineup — and Arrietty let her know by stealing the latter’s jokes and telling them on stage right before Jewels had a chance to take the mic.

Ahead, Arrietty spills the tea on the deliciously tense episode, which culminated in an emotional lip-sync of two pissed-off drag queens going at it with nothing to lose but the competition and — perhaps — a budding friendship in the process.

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RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 continues Fridays on MTV. Read on for Arrietty’s full exit interview.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: In our season 17 group interview, you had a specific reaction to me bringing up Katy Perry. Why was that?

ARRIETTY: Girl, I don’t care what the KatyCats say. I don’t like her. I don’t care! There are just specific feelings that you get. There’s a vibe. Hormona said it correctly: She felt the presence of the enemy.

Moving on to this week’s epic drama, you stealing Jewels’ jokes at the table read was so funny. Did anyone clock that you were stealing Jewels’ jokes at the table?

We had to rehearse. I heard her say them out loud, and she was cackling about them. I was like, you know what, this bitch already pissed me off, I’m already not feeling good, let’s have some fun. I love balance in my life. If someone gets me, I have to get them back. I’m gunning to get them back.

It was clear that you were upset when she placed herself behind you in the roast order. Why did that hurt you so deeply?

I approached Jewels immediately when they said it was a roast, because we’re girls. I told her I felt so bad about the challenge, I was feeling so down. I told her all of my insecurities, and I trusted her with that. For her to throw me under the bus by putting me behind probably the funniest girl there, and then herself after me so she could look better? Her taking advantage of her friend while they’re down pissed me the f— off! You want to play dirty like that? I get it, it’s a game. I wouldn’t do my friends like that. We just met, so she didn’t have that many ties with me. I get both sides, but also, I like my side better.

You made up at the end of Untucked, but since this drama led to your elimination, was there permanent damage to the friendship?

I don’t think so. We’re chill. We’re definitely not as close as it seemed to be on TV. But, I get it, because we’re in different cities, so how close can two people be?

How long did it take you to forgive her and get to a good place?

I get over things quickly. It’s a competition…. I’m fine. I’m a grown woman. I know how to compartmentalize.

Do you look back and question why it made you so mad that someone was strategic in a competition?

I guess I just got my feelings hurt from a quote-unquote friend in the competition. That was all. I felt backstabbed by someone I was kiki’ing with. It’s strategic, but on the short end of the stick; it felt like a slap to the face. It’s not the same thing as me and Lana Ja’Rae, when we placed each other first — we didn’t put anyone else down. We were still being strategic, but with Jewels, she put her friend on the bottom so she could prosper and look better.

If you were given the opportunity to choose the positions, and Jewels confided in you, would you do the same thing?

Hell no! If you’re my girl, I’ll make sure that you have a really good spot, because I would love to see me and my friend go all the way. I probably would’ve put her behind the second least-funny person.

At the roast, did you do anything to ground yourself since you were so nervous?

My mind went blank. I’m so stupid. Everyone had a card to write their jokes. I thought I had this. I don’t know in what world [I thought] I’d memorize and wouldn’t need the card. I forgot a few of my quote-unquote jokes, and it threw me the f— off. It wasn’t good — at all — but I’m proud of myself for not shutting off and walking the f— out, because the amount of pressure on my shoulders? I was terrified.

Did you consider walking away and not doing the challenge?

Toward the end when I said, “in conclusion,” and RuPaul started clapping, I wanted to just go, “Bye!” And storm off. Not even walk, but run and ugly cry! [Laughs] Of course I wouldn’t do that, because I hold myself to a standard, and that doesn’t mesh well with it.

If given another chance, would you stab Jewels in the back again?

Yes. I will always stab Jewels in the back. [Laughs] I will always get you back. I will not start it; it’s retaliation. I would never stab a friend in the back for whatever.

Something you did well this season were looks and makeup. Michelle Visage suggested you change your paint, but it didn’t seem like there was a huge change. Did you want to stay true to the aesthetic you cultivated?

This is going to sound a little shady. This is for the people that know makeup: I did change my nose! You can see how much I changed my makeup. It’s not the normal face I would do, because I’m going to meet the critique in the middle…. I went on the show, they cast me, I understand the critique to show versatility, but I don’t understand when it comes to me showing versatility, because I was going to change my makeup every single runway. It’s kind of unfair. Why not tell Crystal Envy to change her makeup? She just does pretty every week. Or Jewels, why don’t you tell her to change the eye she does every week? Or tell Kori to change her blue f—ing garage door on her eye that she does every week?

What’s coming up for you?

I have fun stuff coming up. Follow me on Instagram and all the social medias. There’s definitely going to be YouTube stuff and a lot of different things, maybe a duo project or tour. Cool, fun stuff.