RuPaul: Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent
2016 was one of the bitterest years for the showbiz world with so many losses of incredibly talented artists who moved on to the stages of the world beyond. Sticking to the principle, “the show must go on”, we picked RuPaul as the face of our opening star cover interview for 2017.
There is no RuPaul appearance that could remain unnoticed. The world’s most famous drag queen has widened our horizons of perception of “different people” and created a unique entertainment brand which is gaining more and more recognition and critical acclaim year after year. RuPaul is not just the Queen of Drag, RuPaul is the Queen of Entertainment.
RuPaul, you are the first drag queen supermodel, singer, TV host, producer, actor, author, you now also have your own convention… What has been the biggest challenge for you throughout the years?
My biggest challenge is keeping myself excited about getting out of bed in the morning. That’s why I’m always trying something new, to challenge myself and to keep me interested.
2016 has been your strongest year in terms of recognition by the TV community: you won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for Reality Show and you also have been nominated for NATPE Reality Breakthrough Awards and for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Why do you think 2016 was “your” year?
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the eighth seasons of Drag Race happened during the eight years President Obama has been in office. His grace and intelligence and fortitude have opened so many doors for so many people. When it comes to Drag Race’s recent breakthrough success, I say this with all sincerity, “Thanks, Obama.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race recently celebrated its 100th episode and has been renewed for a ninth season with two spinoffs on the side. What makes people watch your show?
Drag Race has little bit of everything. Humor. Fashion. Celebrities. Outrageousness. But the soul of the show, the reason people come back season after season is the queens – to watch these brave, audacious souls share their stories with the world. In spite of all the wigs, make-up and padding, Drag Race showcases some of the most naked and authentic portrayals of LGBTQ characters in the history of TV. And it’s all wrapped up as a silly, shiny reality competition show.
How do you think your work has helped change society attitudes towards the drag queen community?
By sharing the queens’ stories and their artistry, people have a new respect for what it takes to defy the norms of a male dominated society. Even in the gay community, before Drag Race, drag queens were often marginalized for being too “fem”. Today, drag queens have been credited with saving nightlife at gay bars around the world. I’d like to think that the popularity of Drag Race has something to do with that. But drag queens have been saving the world long before Drag Race and, God willing, they’ll be doing it long after Drag Race.
What are you looking for when casting for your Drag Race and what are the most important features of a drag queen?
Read my lips: Charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.
The format has been hugely successful in Chile and is now coming back with an international version. Are you going to appear on it?
There are no plans as of yet. But I‘d love to.
You already have 4 shows on TV. You seem to be tireless. Are you planning any new projects for 2017 and what keeps you going?
I can’t wait for RuPaul’s DragCon, April 28 and 29 at the LA Convention Center. We’re expecting something like 30.000 people, which blows my mind. And you know, I’m always hustling. Right now, I’m working on a scripted project, a potential talkshow, a “rusical” and more.
What does RuPaul Andre like to do when he is not RuPaul? How hard is it to live two lives – on and off the stage?
Honey, I’m always RuPaul. That’s the exhausting part. But when I’m not working, I like to hike, meditate, listen to music, dance, travel, play dirty charades with friends, and avoid watching CNN at all costs.
In interviews throughout the years you have pointed out Cher, Diana Ross and David Bowie as your biggest inspirations. What is your opinion on the current showbiz scene?
Today there’s more variety then ever and there’s something for everybody. But the true test for a performer, what separates the lightweights from the superstars, is time. Surviving and staying relevant in this business is the true test of talent and grit.
Do you watch TV? Which are your favorite shows?
I am currently obsessed with Westworld. It’s my new Matrix. Nothing is as it appears.
If RuPaul could run a TV network, what would it look like?
There are so many talented queens from the past eight seasons. I’d cast them all in their own series. Kind of like what we were able to do this year with Not Today Bianca, a two-part comedy special that I produced for Bianca del Rio that aired on Logo and is available on iTunes. It’s a hilarious reality sitcom with guest stars Kristen Johnston, Tori Spelling, Melissa Jo Winokur, Ross Mathews, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Visage…and Charo. So, I guess the RuPaul network would look like a cross between Love Boat and Fantasy Island.
My biggest challenge is keeping myself excited about getting out of bed in the morning. That’s why I’m always trying something new, to challenge myself and to keep me interested.
2016 has been your strongest year in terms of recognition by the TV community: you won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for Reality Show and you also have been nominated for NATPE Reality Breakthrough Awards and for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Why do you think 2016 was “your” year?
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the eighth seasons of Drag Race happened during the eight years President Obama has been in office. His grace and intelligence and fortitude have opened so many doors for so many people. When it comes to Drag Race’s recent breakthrough success, I say this with all sincerity, “Thanks, Obama.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race recently celebrated its 100th episode and has been renewed for a ninth season with two spinoffs on the side. What makes people watch your show?
Drag Race has little bit of everything. Humor. Fashion. Celebrities. Outrageousness. But the soul of the show, the reason people come back season after season is the queens – to watch these brave, audacious souls share their stories with the world. In spite of all the wigs, make-up and padding, Drag Race showcases some of the most naked and authentic portrayals of LGBTQ characters in the history of TV. And it’s all wrapped up as a silly, shiny reality competition show.
How do you think your work has helped change society attitudes towards the drag queen community?
By sharing the queens’ stories and their artistry, people have a new respect for what it takes to defy the norms of a male dominated society. Even in the gay community, before Drag Race, drag queens were often marginalized for being too “fem”. Today, drag queens have been credited with saving nightlife at gay bars around the world. I’d like to think that the popularity of Drag Race has something to do with that. But drag queens have been saving the world long before Drag Race and, God willing, they’ll be doing it long after Drag Race.
What are you looking for when casting for your Drag Race and what are the most important features of a drag queen?
Read my lips: Charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.
The format has been hugely successful in Chile and is now coming back with an international version. Are you going to appear on it?
There are no plans as of yet. But I‘d love to.
You already have 4 shows on TV. You seem to be tireless. Are you planning any new projects for 2017 and what keeps you going?
I can’t wait for RuPaul’s DragCon, April 28 and 29 at the LA Convention Center. We’re expecting something like 30.000 people, which blows my mind. And you know, I’m always hustling. Right now, I’m working on a scripted project, a potential talkshow, a “rusical” and more.
What does RuPaul Andre like to do when he is not RuPaul? How hard is it to live two lives – on and off the stage?
Honey, I’m always RuPaul. That’s the exhausting part. But when I’m not working, I like to hike, meditate, listen to music, dance, travel, play dirty charades with friends, and avoid watching CNN at all costs.
In interviews throughout the years you have pointed out Cher, Diana Ross and David Bowie as your biggest inspirations. What is your opinion on the current showbiz scene?
Today there’s more variety then ever and there’s something for everybody. But the true test for a performer, what separates the lightweights from the superstars, is time. Surviving and staying relevant in this business is the true test of talent and grit.
Do you watch TV? Which are your favorite shows?
I am currently obsessed with Westworld. It’s my new Matrix. Nothing is as it appears.
If RuPaul could run a TV network, what would it look like?
There are so many talented queens from the past eight seasons. I’d cast them all in their own series. Kind of like what we were able to do this year with Not Today Bianca, a two-part comedy special that I produced for Bianca del Rio that aired on Logo and is available on iTunes. It’s a hilarious reality sitcom with guest stars Kristen Johnston, Tori Spelling, Melissa Jo Winokur, Ross Mathews, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Visage…and Charo. So, I guess the RuPaul network would look like a cross between Love Boat and Fantasy Island.
