RuPaul

RuPaul
RuPaul at the DVD release party for Starrbooty in New York, October 2007
Background information
Birth name	RuPaul Andre Charles
Born	(1960-11-17) November 17, 1960 San Diego, California, U.S.
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Dance-pop, Hi-NRG, disco house, R&B, eurodance, electro house
Occupations	Drag performer, singer-songwriter, actor
Years active	1985–present
Website	www.rupaul.com

RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960), best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and recording artist, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta and New York City club scenes during the 1980s and early 90s. RuPaul has on occasion performed as a man in a number of roles, usually billed as RuPaul Charles. RuPaul is noted among famous drag queens for his indifference towards the gender-specific pronouns used to address him—both "he" and "she" have been deemed acceptable. "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don't care! Just as long as you call me." He hosted a short-running talk show on VH1, and currently hosts reality television shows RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag U. Rupaul is also known for his hit song "Supermodel (You Better Work)".

Biography

1960-92: Early Life and career beginnings

RuPaul was born in San Diego, California. His name was given to him by his mother, a Louisiana native. The "Ru" came from roux, an ingredient used in gumbo. RuPaul struggled as a musician and filmmaker in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1980s. He participated in underground cinema, helping create the low-budget film Star Booty, and an album by the same name. In Atlanta, RuPaul often performed at the Celebrity Club (managed by Larry Tee) as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole. RuPaul also performed as a backup singer to Glen Meadmore along with drag queen Vaginal Davis. RuPaul's first prominent national exposure came in 1989 with an extra role dancing in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52's.

In the early 1990s, RuPaul worked the Georgia club scene and was known by his full birth name. Initially participating in genderfuck-style performances, RuPaul performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York nightclubs, most notably the Pyramid Club. He appeared for many years at the annual Wigstock drag festival and appeared in the documentary Wigstock: The Movie. In the '90s, RuPaul was known in the UK for her appearances on the Channel 4 series Manhattan Cable, a weekly series produced by World of Wonder and presented by American Laurie Pike about New York's wild and wacky public-access television system.

1993-97: "Supermodel of The World", "Foxy Lady", and "Ho, Ho, Ho"

In 1993, RuPaul recorded dance/house albums which included Supermodel of the World. They were released through the rap label Tommy Boy, spawning the dance track hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)". The music video was an unexpected success on MTV channels, as grunge and gangsta rap were popular at the time. The song peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100. It further charted on the UK Singles Chart, peaking on the top 40 at #39. The song found the most success peaking at number 2 on the US dance music charts (known as the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart). Airplay, heavy rotation of the music video on the MTV network and television appearances on popular programs like The Arsenio Hall Show popularized the song.

“	What other people think of me is not my business. What I do is what I do. How people see me doesn't change what I decide to do. I don't choose projects so people don't see me as one thing or another. I choose projects that excite me. I think the problem is that people refuse to understand what drag is outside of their own belief system.	”
—RuPaul,

His next two songs/videos, "Back to My Roots" and "A Shade Shady (Now Prance)" both went #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and furthered his campy persona. Between them, "House of Love" was released without a video. It failed to place on any US charts, despite rising to #68 on the UK Singles Chart.

RuPaul caused a controversy at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards when she presented an award with actor Milton Berle, who performed an altogether different type of drag early in his career. The two had conflicts back-stage, and when Berle touched RuPaul's false breasts, RuPaul ad-libbed the line "So you used to wear gowns, but now you're wearing diapers." A surprised Berle replied, "Oh, we're going to ad lib? I'll check my brain and we'll start even." The press portrayed the exchange as a crack in the "love everyone" message RuPaul presented, and as a young newcomer treating a legend poorly. RuPaul would later describe the situation in his autobiography, describing Berle's behavior backstage as sexually inappropriate and rude. He did regret the situation, saying: "Of course, what I should have done backstage is told him 'Get your dirty hands off of me, you motherfucker!', and then gone out there and been Miss Black America." That same year would also mark her biggest hit on the UK Singles Chart, a remake of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Elton John, which went to number seven. It was around this time that RuPaul co-hosted the BRIT Awards in London, also with Elton John.

RuPaul (left) seen out of drag in March 2009.

RuPaul was signed to a modeling contract for MAC Cosmetics, making him the first drag queen supermodel. Various billboards featured him in full drag, often with the text "I am the MAC girl." He also released his autobiography, Lettin' It All Hang Out. He promoted that book in part with a 1995 guest appearance on ABC's All My Children, in a storyline that put it on the set of Erica Kane's talk show "The Cutting Edge".

The next year she landed a talk show of his own on VH1, called The RuPaul Show, interviewing celebrity guests and musical acts. Diana Ross, Nirvana, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Mary J. Blige, Bea Arthur, Dionne Warwick, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton-John, Beenie Man, Pete Burns, Bow Wow Wow, and the Backstreet Boys were notable guests. His co-host was Michelle Visage, with whom she also co-hosted on WKTU radio. On one episode, RuPaul featured guests Chi Chi LaRue and Tom Chase speaking about the gay porn industry.

Later in the year he released his second album, Foxy Lady, this time on the L.A.-based Rhino Records label. Despite her growing celebrity, she failed to chart within the Billboard 200. However, the first single "Snapshot" found success in the dance market and went to number four on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. It also enjoyed limited mainstream success, charting at number ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100 (which was his second and only other Hot 100 entry to date). The second single "Little Bit of Love" only charted at number 28 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The album featured covers of a 1981 Diana Ross song "Work That Body", co-written by Paul Jabara and "If You Were a Woman and I Was a Man", originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler. Because of her strong fan base within the gay community, RuPaul has performed at gay pride events and numerous gay clubs. During this time RuPaul helped launch the return of WKTU radio in New York City and would serve as host (with Michelle Visage) of the morning show until 1998.

In 1997, she released his third album, a Christmas album entitled Ho, Ho, Ho. She has had guest appearances in many films, including both Brady Bunch movies, in which he played Jan's female guidance counselor. In 1997, RuPaul teamed with Martha Wash to remake the classic disco anthem, "It's Raining Men". The song was included on the 1998 compilation CD RuPaul's Go Go Box Classics, which was a collection of some of his favorite dance songs by other artists; this would be her third and final release through Rhino Records and a major record label. It was during this time that she appeared in Webex TV commercials and magazine ads. In 2002, she recorded with Brigitte Nielsen, credited as Gitta, the Eurodance track "You're No Lady".

2004-07: "Red Hot", "ReWorked", and "Starrbooty"

In 2004, RuPaul released his fourth album, Red Hot on his own RuCo Inc. label. It received some dance radio and club play, but very little press coverage. On his blog, RuPaul discussed how she felt betrayed by the entertainment industry, particularly the gay press. In one incident, it was noted that the magazine Entertainment Weekly refused to review the album, instead asking him to make a comedic contribution to a fashion article. He likened the experience to "a black person being invited to a party, but only if they'll serve." Despite her apparent dissatisfaction with the release, Red Hot showed RuPaul returning to the top of the dance charts in the US with the lead off single "Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous" hitting number two on the dance chart. The second, "WorkOut", peaked at number five. The third and final single from the album "People Are People" a duet with Tom Trujillo peaked at number 10. The album itself only charted on the Top Electronic Albums chart, where it hit number nine. When asked about this in an interview, RuPaul said, "Well, betrayed might be the wrong word. 'Betrayed' alludes to an idea that there was some kind of a promise made to me, and there never was. More so, I was disappointed. I don't feel like it was a betrayal. Nobody promises anything in show business and you understand that from day one. But, I don't know what happened. It seemed I couldn't get press on my album unless I was willing to play into the role that the mainstream press has assigned to gay people, which is as servants of straight ideals."

On June 13, 2006, RuPaul released ReWorked, his first remix album and fifth album overall. It features reworked versions of songs from his back catalog, as well as new recordings. The only single released from the album is a re-recording of "Supermodel (You Better Work)", reaching number twenty-one on the U.S. dance chart. June 20, 2007 saw the release of Starrbooty (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on iTunes in the US. The single "Call Me Starrbooty" was digitally released in 2007. The album contains new tracks from the singer as well as interludes with dialogue from the movie. The film was released on DVD in October 2007.

2008-10: "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Champion"

In mid-2008, RuPaul began producing RuPaul's Drag Race, a reality television game show which aired on Logo in February 2009. The premise of the program has several drag queens compete to be selected by RuPaul and a panel of judges as "America's next drag superstar". The first season's winner was BeBe Zahara Benet, and first runner-up Nina Flowers was chosen by fans as "Miss Congeniality" through voting via the show's official website. In publicity preparation for the new show, RuPaul made appearances as a guest on several other shows in 2008 including as a guest judge on episode 6 of season 5 of Project Runway and as a guest "chef" on Paula's Party.

In March 2009, RuPaul released the album Champion to iTunes and Amazon. The album topped the iTunes dance album chart at #1 and features the dance singles "Cover Girl" and "Jealous of My Boogie", both anthems from the reality show RuPaul's Drag Race. Logo's second annual NewNowNext Awards in 2009 were hosted by RuPaul. There he performed "Jealous of My Boogie (Gomi & RasJek Edit)". In March 2010, RuPaul released his second remix album, Drag Race to iTunes. The album features remixes of songs from the 2009 album Champion.

2011-Now: "Glamazon" and Upcoming sixth studio album

In April 2011, coinciding with the finale of season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul released his fifth studio album Glamazon, produced by Revolucian, who previously worked with RuPaul on his album Champion. The album charted on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart at #11 and #8 respectively. In July 2011, RuPaul released another remix EP on iTunes entitled SuperGlam DQ, which features remixes of tracks from Glamazon, remixes of the "Drag U Theme Song", and a new song, "Sexy Drag Queen". Starting in June 2011, the second season of RuPaul's Drag U aired. Late 2011, promotions for RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4) began. RuPaul made appearances on The Rosie Show and The Chew, and also attended a Drag Race NY Premiere party at Patricia Fields store in New York. Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on Logo (TV Channel) on January 30, 2012, with RuPaul returning as the main host and judge.

In the fall of 2012, "RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race", a spin-off of "RuPaul's Drag Race, premiered after a large fan demand. The show featured past contestants of the previous four seasons to compete. Season 5 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" premiered on "Logo (TV Channel)" on January 28, 2013, with a 90 minute special and RuPaul returning as the main host and judge. RuPaul and Revolucian both have confirmed through their twitter and instagram accounts that they have been working on an upcoming sixth studio album. On April 30, 2013, RuPaul released a single "Lick It Lollipop" featuring Lady Bunny, who RuPaul has collaborated with before on "Champion".

Discography

Main article: RuPaul discography

• Supermodel of the World (1993)
• Foxy Lady (1996)
• Red Hot (2004)
• Champion (2009)
• Glamazon (2011)
• TBA (2013-14)

Filmography

Television series

Year	Title	Role
1994	Sister, Sister	Marje
1995	In the House	Kevin
1996	The RuPaul Show	Himself (In Drag) - Host
1998	Hercules	Rock Guardian "Hercules and the Girdle of Hyppolyte"
1998	Sabrina, the Teenage Witch	Member of the Witches Council/A hair dresser
1998	Walker, Texas Ranger	Bob
2001	Popular	Sweet Honey Child
2001	Port Charles	Madame Alicia
2002	Son of the Beach	Heinous Anus (credited as RuPaul Charles)
2009	Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World	Tyler
2009 – present	RuPaul's Drag Race	Himself (In Drag) - Host/Judge (also producer)
2010	Ugly Betty	Rudolph, emcee of the cabaret
2010 – 2012	RuPaul's Drag U	Himself (out of drag) - Host (also producer)
2012	RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race	Himself (In Drag) - Host/Judge (also producer)
2012	Happy Endings	Cristjahn

Movies

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1987	RuPaul Is: Starbooty!	Starbooty
1994	Crooklyn	Connie, the Bodega Woman
1995	The Brady Bunch Movie	Mrs Cummings
1995	Wigstock: The Movie	Himself
1995	Blue in the Face	Dancer
1995	To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar	Rachel Tensions
1995	Red Ribbon Blues	Duke
1995	A Mother's Prayer	Deacon "Dede"
1996	Fled	Himself
1996	A Very Brady Sequel	Mrs Cummings
1998	An Unexpected Life	Charles
1999	EDtv	RuPaul
1999	But I'm a Cheerleader	Mike
2000	The Eyes of Tammy Faye	Narrator
2000	The Truth About Jane	Jimmy
2000	For the Love of May	Jimbo
2001	Who is Cletis Tout?	Ginger Markum
2005	Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons	Cameo
2006	Work it Girl: The Music videos
2006	Zombie Prom: The Movie	Delilah Strict
2007	Starrbooty	Starrbooty/Cupcake
2008	Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild	Tyrell Tyrelle

Short films

Year	Title	Role
1983	The Blue Boy Terror
1983	Wild Thing
1983	Terror II
1984	Terror 3D
1986	Mahogany II
1986	Psycho Bitch
1986	American Porn Star
1987	Voyeur
1987	Police Lady
1989	Cupcake
1989	Vampire Hustlers
1989	Beauty
1997	Shantay	Shantay
1999	Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World	Daryl.com
2004	Skin Walker
2006	Zombie Prom	Mrs. Strict
2008	How We Got Over

Awards and nominations

Year	Category	Association	Result
1993	Best Dance Video – "Supermodel (You Better Work)"	1993 MTV Video Music Awards	Nominated
1999	GLAAD Vito Russo Award	GLAAD Media Awards	Won
2010	Outstanding Reality Program – RuPaul's Drag Race	21st GLAAD Media Awards	Won
	Best New Indulgence – RuPaul's Drag Race	NewNowNext Awards	Won
2012	Best Reality Show Judge/Host - RuPaul's Drag Race	TV.com's Best of 2012 Awards	Won

Bibliography

• Lettin' It All Hang Out
• Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style is the second book written by drag queen and self-professed "supermodel of the world" RuPaul. This book provides tips on fashion, beauty, style and confidence for girls and boys, straight and gay. With photos by Mathu Andersen from the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race, "Workin' It!" picks up where the show leaves off. The book contains insights into makeup, clothing choices and the illusion of drag. It also shares RuPaul's philosophy on style and attitude.

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

• Official website
• RuPaul on Myspace
• RuPaulsDragRace.com
• RuPaul's Drag U
• RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2 on Logo TV
• RuPaul at the Internet Movie Database