Article written by Maya Vukovska

Just recently, RuPaul Andre Charles became the most-awarded black artist in Emmys' history with 11 career wins. But it’s not only because of the awards, and the recognition of his professional qualities of a top entertainer that he is so popular around the world. If I have to use his own words, it’s the “charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent” that make Mama Ru one of the most celebrated and loved artists of modern times. And here are some other reasons why that is.

From selling used cars to being a drag superstar

RuPaul’s story is not exactly a Cinderella's one, but it’s close enough. Ru was born in San Diego in 1960 and was named after his mom, Roux (which, in French cuisine, is flour and butter cooked together and used to thicken sauces). He was 15 when he got kicked out of high school for missing too many classes. But being an ambitious and artistic kid, he didn’t take it dramatically and sashayed away from home town. He moved to Atlanta to study performing arts, but then again he quit school - just before graduation. He sensed it was time for him to change gears, and he headed to New York. However, things didn’t go as hoped for, and he returned to Atlanta with his tail between the legs. For six months, Ru worked in the family business selling used cars and his side occupation was brushing up his original drag character. When he got fed up with Atlanta, he returned to the Big Apple, but this time he was fully prepared to take the drag scene by storm. And he hit the best time - these were Reagan’s late 80s’ - the great golden era of drag.

A diva of her own

Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Cyndi Lauper… The common thing among those celebrity female performers is that they all were interviewed by RuPaul in his own daytime talk show that ran between 1996 and 1998. Through the years of his active career, however, RuPaul has proven to be no less talented than all those divas. You may have forgotten the fact that before The Race, there was the singing Ru. He rose to fame in 1993, when he recorded his first dance/house album Supermodel of the World. The album topped the charts, which didn’t go unnoticed by the businesses. The cosmetic giant MAC offered him a modeling career, and from that day on… well, the gigs and the money just kept rolling his way. So far, RuPaul has released 14 studio albums, the last one being You’re a Winner, Baby from 2020.

He’s made RuPaul’s Drag Race a global phenomenon

I won’t say it’s the best reality TV show ever because that will make me sound like one of the many addicted to the show (which I am, more or less!), but it is definitely one of the best. 12 years ago, RuPaul offered for the first time the opportunity to drag performers from all over the country to win his and all America’s hearts with their ability to pull off an impressive drag gig and win a substantial monetary prize. The show has turned out to be a gay media number one with its sassy language, stupendous fashions, catty dramas, bitchy rivalries, and heartwarming bonds created between the contestants. The show RuPaul gave to the world is simply great - on every possible level.

He’s been teaching us the art of self-love and self-worth

People have been talking since the beginning of time. Unless they paying your bills, pay them bitches no mind
Remember that line from RuPaul’s legendary “Sissy That Walk”? Well, that’s the philosophy that actually fished so many desperate people out of the muddy waters of self-hatred and shame for who they are. Aim high, he says, and don’t let anything stop you. Of course, it sounds easier said than done, but Mama Ru knows how to make you believe what she’s saying. She’s not preaching and certainly not talking out of her arse. She’s giving real-life examples of people who’ve overcome enormous obstacles to become the realization of their own imagination.

He doesn't bother about pronouns

In times, when almost everybody is oversensitive about gender categorization, one would expect someone like RuPaul to be super precise about his pronouns. However, RuPaul's been really laid-back about it all. He never actually cared about gender-specific pronouns and doesn’t mind if you call him “she,” or “he,” or “Regis and Kathie Lee.” This once again proves that a grand human being doesn’t need specific labeling to attract attention and … admiration.

He is a living inspiration

The little boy from San Diego who dreamt of being a supermodel, not only became one but even more. He is a role model to youth around the globe. He knows it, but also knows that “with great power comes great responsibility,” and he proves that with every single thing he’s doing. Day in, day out.

September 29, 2021 — Andrew Christian
Tags: Listicles