Editing RuPaul

{{short description|American drag queen, actor and musician (born 1960)}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| image              = 2019 California Hall of Fame Ceremony 01 (cropped2).jpg
| caption            = RuPaul at the 2019 California Hall of Fame Ceremony in Sacramento, California
| birth_name         = RuPaul Andre Charles
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1960|11|17}}
| birth_place        = [[San Diego, California]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{hlist|Drag queen|television host|singer|producer|writer|actor}}
| years_active       = 1982–present
| television         = {{plainlist}}
* ''[[The RuPaul Show]]''
* ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]''
* ''[[Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul]]''
* ''[[Good Work (talk show)|Good Work]]''
* ''[[Skin Wars]]''
* ''[[AJ and the Queen]]''
* ''[[RuPaul (talk show)|RuPaul]]''
{{endplainlist}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|Georges LeBar|2017}}
| relatives          = [[Cory Booker]] (distant cousin)
| website            = {{URL|rupaul.com}}
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed              = yes
| origin             =
| genre              = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[dance music|dance]]|[[disco house]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
| instruments      = Vocals
| label              = {{hlist|Funtone|Every|[[Tommy Boy Records|Tommy Boy]]|[[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino]]|RuCo|[[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]]}}
}}
}}
'''RuPaul Andre Charles'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rupaul A Charles, (212) 929–2363, age 61 from 155 Perry St #3A, New York, NY 10014 – Radaris |url=https://radaris.com/~Rupaul-Charles/1487144241 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=radaris.com |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014227/https://radaris.com/~Rupaul-Charles/1487144241 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RuCo, Inc, Brooklyn NY – Company Profile {{!}} BizStanding |url=https://bizstanding.com/p/ruco+inc-184228084 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=bizstanding.com |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014215/https://bizstanding.com/p/ruco+inc-184228084 |url-status=live }}</ref> (born November 17, 1960) is an American [[drag queen]], television host, singer, producer, writer, and actor. He{{efn|RuPaul is indifferent to which gender pronouns are used to refer to him, stating that he can be called "he" or "she",<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=374933702037753857 |user=RuPaulsDragRace |author-link=RuPaul's Drag Race |author=RuPaul's Drag Race |title="You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis & Cathy Lee; I don't care! Just as long as you call me" – @RuPaul #RuFerence}}</ref> and has played male roles and makes public appearances in both male and female drag.<ref name="Autobiography">{{cite book |author=RuPaul |url=https://archive.org/details/lettinitallhango00rupa |title=Lettin' It All Hang Out: An Autobiography |date=1995 |publisher=[[Hachette Books|Hyperion Books]] |isbn=978-0-7868-6156-9}}</ref> This article uses "he/him" pronouns for consistency.}} produces, hosts, and judges the reality competition series ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' and has received [[List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul|several accolades]], including 14 [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], three [[GLAAD Media Awards]], a [[Critics' Choice Television Award]], two [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], and a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]. He has been dubbed the "Queen of Drag" and is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States, with ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' saying that he is "easily the world's most famous drag queen."<ref name="klein1">{{cite web |last=Klein |first=Jessica |date=September 24, 2019 |title=As 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Expands to the U.K., DragCon Shines Light on Its Mainstream Success |url=https://fortune.com/2019/09/24/rupaul-drag-race-uk-dragcon/ |access-date=November 18, 2019 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926235733/https://fortune.com/2019/09/24/rupaul-drag-race-uk-dragcon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, RuPaul was included in the annual [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] list of the most influential people in the world.<ref>{{cite web |last=Klein |first=Jessica |date=September 24, 2019 |title=As 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Expands to the U.K., DragCon Shines Light on Its Mainstream Success |url=https://fortune.com/2019/09/24/rupaul-drag-race-uk-dragcon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127234657/https://fortune.com/2019/09/24/rupaul-drag-race-uk-dragcon/ |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |magazine=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Naomi |author-link=Naomi Campbell |title=RuPaul |url=https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4736291/rupaul/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403211100/https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4736291/rupaul/ |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

Born and raised in [[San Diego, California]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Precious |title=RuPaul's Net Worth: How Music and Television Made Him an Icon |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/rupaul-s-net-worth-how-music-and-television-made-him-an-icon/ar-AA1xgSpE?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-13 |title=San Diego natives Rupaul Charles, Tony Hawk among 2019 California Hall of Fame inductees |url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-natives-rupaul-charles-tony-hawk-among-2019-california-hall-of-fame-inductees/509-ea8d8847-9d89-40d3-8e6b-c5cae63ade7e |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=cbs8.com |language=en-US}}</ref> RuPaul studied performing arts in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], before relocating to New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the [[LGBTQ culture in New York City|LGBTQ nightclub scene]]. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "[[Supermodel (You Better Work)]]" (1993). RuPaul was a spokesperson for [[MAC Cosmetics]] in 1994, raising money for the [[Mac AIDS Fund]] and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign.

''RuPaul's Drag Race'' was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce seventeen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally and there are several international variants of the show, including ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race UK]]'' (2019–present) and ''[[Canada's Drag Race]]'' (2020–present). There are also several spin-offs of the main show, such as ''[[RuPaul's Drag U]]'' (2010–2012), ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'', (2012–present), and ''[[RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race]]'' (2020–2022). His other television work includes ''[[The RuPaul Show]]'' (1996–1998), ''[[Skin Wars]]'' (2014–2016), [[Good Work (talk show)|''Good Work'']] (2015), ''[[Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul]]'' (2016–2017), and [[RuPaul (talk show)|''RuPaul'']] (2019). In 2018, RuPaul received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for his contributions to the television industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=March 19, 2018 |title=RuPaul becomes first drag icon to get a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame |url=https://www.nme.com/news/rupaul-first-drag-queen-hollywood-walk-fame-star-2268938 |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200122141302/https://www.nme.com/news/rupaul-first-drag-queen-hollywood-walk-fame-star-2268938 |url-status=live }}</ref>

RuPaul has made appearances in films, including ''[[Crooklyn]]'' (1994), ''[[The Brady Bunch Movie]]'' (1995), and ''[[But I'm a Cheerleader]]'' (1999), as well as television series, including ''[[Girlboss (TV series)|Girlboss]]'' and ''[[Broad City]]'' (both 2017). He created and starred in the [[Netflix]] original series ''[[AJ and the Queen]]'' (2020). As a recording artist, RuPaul has released [[RuPaul discography|fifteen studio albums]]. He has also published four books: ''[[Lettin' It All Hang Out]]'' (1995), ''[[Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style]]'' (2010), ''[[GuRu]]'' (2018), and ''[[The House of Hidden Meanings]]'' (2024).

==Early life==

RuPaul was born in [[San Diego]] on November 17, 1960, the son of Ernestine "Toni" (née Fontenette) and Irving Andrew Charles. His parents were both from [[Louisiana]].<ref name="glbtq">{{cite encyclopedia | title = RuPaul (RuPaul Andre Charles) | encyclopedia = GLBTQ: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture | publisher = GLBTQ, Inc. | date = August 16, 2005| first=Tina |last=Gianoulis | url = http://www.glbtqarchive.com/arts/rupaul_A.pdf | access-date = March 24, 2009|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170112134716/http://glbtqarchive.com/arts/rupaul_A.pdf | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fdr1">{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Daniel |date=October 9, 2020 |title=Watch RuPaul Learn His Ancestors Were Also Marriage Pioneers |url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2020/10/09/watch-rupaul-learn-his-ancestors-were-also-marriage-pioneers |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]] |language=en |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011135651/https://www.advocate.com/television/2020/10/09/watch-rupaul-learn-his-ancestors-were-also-marriage-pioneers |url-status=live }}</ref> He was named by his mother; "Ru" came from ''[[roux]]'', the French term for the base of [[gumbo]] and other [[Creole peoples|creole]] stews and soups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Bonnie |author-link=Bonnie Hunt |date=February 22, 2010 |title=The Bonnie Hunt Show: Interview with RuPaul, Part 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M1ysX6QqOk |access-date=February 3, 2024 |publisher=[[The Bonnie Hunt Show]] |at=0:49–1:05 |via=YouTube |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203232328/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M1ysX6QqOk |url-status=live }}</ref> According to DNA analysis by ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'' staff, his ancestry is 70% African and 30% European.<ref name=fdr1/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Robinson|first=Jennifer|title=Finding Your Roots: Slave Trade|url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/feb/10/finding-your-roots-slave-trade/|access-date=October 14, 2020|website=KPBS Public Media|date=February 10, 2020|language=en|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017183519/https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/feb/10/finding-your-roots-slave-trade/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After his parents divorced in 1967, RuPaul and his three sisters lived with their mother, a [[Seventh-day Adventist]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Charles |first=RuPaul Andre |url=https://archive.org/details/lettinitallhango00rupa/page/31/mode/2up |title=Lettin it all hang out |publisher=[[Disney Publishing Worldwide#Incorporated|Hyperion]] |year=1995 |isbn=9780786861569 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2013/04/rupaul-runs-the-world-drag-race-supermodel/|title=RuPaul Runs The World |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=April 1, 2013|first=Julianne Escobedo|last= Shepherd|access-date= March 10, 2017| archive-date=February 14, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214023747/http://www.spin.com/2013/04/rupaul-runs-the-world-drag-race-supermodel/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He was raised in the [[Catholic]] faith and attended [[Patrick Henry High School (California)|Patrick Henry High School]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Cohen |first=Andy |title=Andy Cohen with RuPaul at Live Talks Los Angeles |date=December 9, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra_p-QQrvOw |access-date=February 3, 2024 |publisher=LiveTalksLA |language=en |author-link=Andy Cohen |via=YouTube |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505094453/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra_p-QQrvOw&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> At 15, RuPaul and his sister Renetta moved to Atlanta, where they studied performing arts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aguirre |first=Abby |date=April 15, 2019 |others=Photography by Annie Leibovitz |title=How the World Fell Head Over Heels for RuPaul |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-interview-may-2019-issue |work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216190703/https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-interview-may-2019-issue |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Career ==

=== 1980–1995: Beginnings and ''Supermodel of the World'' ===
RuPaul struggled as a musician and filmmaker during the 1980s, working at Atlanta's [[Plaza Theatre (Atlanta)|Plaza Theatre]]. In 1982, he debuted on an Atlanta [[Public-access television|public access]] variety show called ''[[The American Music Show]]'', and went on to appear on the show frequently.<ref name="Autobiography" />{{rp|59}}<ref>{{cite web |date=May 17, 2013 |title=American Music Show (Television show) video recordings, 1981–2005 |url=https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/americanmusicshow1256/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616223150/https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/americanmusicshow1256/ |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=[[Emory University#Library system|Emory University Library]]}}</ref> He also took part in [[underground cinema]], helping create the low-budget film ''[[RuPaul Is: Starbooty!|Star Booty]]'' and an album of the same name. In Atlanta he often performed at the Celebrity Club, managed by [[Larry Tee]], as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2871900054.html |title=Rupaul 1960– |publisher=Encyclopedia.com ([[Thomson Gale]]) |first=Ellen Dennis |last=French |year=2005 |access-date=April 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123123203/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/RuPaul.aspx%231-1G2:2871900054-full |url-status=bot: unknown }} Additional [https://web.archive.org/web/20170429084235/http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/rupaul WebCitation archive] on March 10, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Robert Burke |title=Southern Belles, Latchkey Kids and Thrift-Store Crossdressers |url=http://bittersoutherner.com/southern-belles-latchkey-kids-and-thrift-store-crossdressers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623215100/http://bittersoutherner.com/southern-belles-latchkey-kids-and-thrift-store-crossdressers/#.WMLqGBIrIcg |archive-date=June 23, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |publisher=[[The Bitter Southerner]]}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/8qHKpF3dYv0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200503220337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qHKpF3dYv0&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |last=Nelson|first=Sullivan|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qHKpF3dYv0&t=6m15s |title=Going to Red Zone |date=September 13, 2011 |via=YouTube |quote=RuPaul, Lahoma and Larry Tee went to Red Zone to perform their disco act La Palace de Beaute. This video includes fabulous backup dancing by RuPaul and Lahoma.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> RuPaul also performed as a backup singer to [[Glen Meadmore]] along with drag queen [[Vaginal Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|title=What a Drag |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/09/01/what-a-drag-3/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=March 12, 2013|date=September 1, 1995| archive-date= April 24, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160424161541/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-09-01/entertainment/9509010298_1_new-york-dolls-angela-davis-glam| url-status=live}}</ref> His first prominent national exposure came in 1989, when he danced as an [[Extra (acting)|extra]] in the video for [[The B-52s]]' "[[Love Shack]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-b-52s-fred-schneider-on-rupauls-pre-fame-love-shack-cameo-he-got-the-line-dance-going-204218086.html|title=The B-52's' Fred Schneider on RuPaul's Pre-Fame 'Love Shack' Cameo: 'He Got the Line-Dance Going!'|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110113929/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-b-52s-fred-schneider-on-rupauls-pre-fame-love-shack-cameo-he-got-the-line-dance-going-204218086.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, RuPaul worked the Georgia club scene and was known by his full birth name. Initially participating in [[gender bender]]-style performances, he performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York City nightclubs, most notably the [[Pyramid Club (New York)|Pyramid Club]].<ref>Brian Butterick, Susan Martin, Kestutis Nakas (eds.) "We Started a Nightclub": The Birth of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge as Told by Those Who Lived It, Damiani Books, p. 59, 152 & 175</ref> He played opposite New York City drag performer [[Mona Foot]] (Nashom Benjamin) in the one-act science-fiction parody "My Pet Homo", written and directed by Jon Michael Johnson for Cooper Square Productions. He performed for many years at the annual [[Wigstock]] [[Drag (clothing)|drag]] festival and appeared in the documentary ''[[Wigstock: The Movie]]''. In the 1990s, RuPaul appeared on the UK [[Channel 4]] series ''Manhattan Cable'', a weekly series produced by [[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]] and presented by American Laurie Pike about New York's [[public-access television]] system.

In 1993, RuPaul recorded the dance/[[house music|house]] album ''[[Supermodel of the World]]''. It was released through the rap label [[Tommy Boy Entertainment|Tommy Boy]], spawning the dance track hit "[[Supermodel (You Better Work)]]". The song peaked at 45 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. It charted on the [[UK Singles Chart]], peaking on the top 40 at 39. The song found the most success on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart, where it peaked at 2. Radio airplay, heavy rotation of the music video on [[MTV]], and television appearances on popular programs like ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'' popularized the song. His next two singles/videos, "[[Back to My Roots]]" and "[[A Shade Shady (Now Prance)]]", both went to the top spot on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. His following release "[[House of Love (RuPaul song)|House of Love]]" failed to place on any U.S. charts but peaked at 68 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. In 1994, he released "[[Don't Go Breaking My Heart#Elton John and RuPaul version|Don't Go Breaking My Heart]]", a duet with Elton John.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Elton John – Duets |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/duets-mw0000107584 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

RuPaul was signed to a modeling contract for [[MAC Cosmetics]]. 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 the book in part with a 1995 guest appearance on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[All My Children]]'', in a storyline that put it on the set of [[Erica Kane]]'s talk show "The Cutting Edge". The same year, he was featured in his first of two appearances in the [[The Brady Bunch Movie|''Brady Bunch'' movies]], in which he played Jan's female guidance counselor.

=== 1996–2007: ''Foxy Lady'' and ''Red Hot'' ===
In 1996, he landed a talk show of his own on [[VH1]], called ''[[The RuPaul Show]]'' interviewing celebrity guests and musical acts. [[Cher]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Nirvana (band)|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 he 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 (RuPaul album)|Foxy Lady]]'', this time on the L.A.-based [[Rhino Records]] label. The album failed to chart on the ''Billboard'' 200. However, its first single "[[Snapshot (RuPaul song)|Snapshot]]" went to number four on the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart. It also enjoyed limited mainstream success, charting at 95 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, which was his second and final solo Hot 100 entry to date. The album's second single "[[A Little Bit of Love (RuPaul song)|A Little Bit of Love]]" was not as successful, peaking at 28 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. During this time, RuPaul hosted a morning radio show at [[WKTU]] radio in New York City and would serve as host until 1998.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=October 9, 2004 |title=Blue Back in The Mix at 'NEW |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014907/https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul#v=snippet&q=RuPaul&f=false |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |pages=50 |via=[[Google Books]] |volume=116 |issue=41 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

[[File:RuPaul by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|RuPaul in 2007]] 
In 1997, he released his third album, the Christmas-themed ''[[Ho Ho Ho (album)|Ho Ho Ho]]''. That year, 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|RuPaul's Go Go Box Classics]]''. During this time, he appeared in [[Webex]] TV commercials and magazine ads. In 2002, he was featured on the [[Eurodance]] track "You're No Lady" alongside [[Brigitte Nielsen]].

In 2004, RuPaul released his fourth album, ''[[Red Hot (album)|Red Hot]]'' on his own RuCo Inc. music label. It received dance radio and club play, but very little press coverage. RuPaul later noted, "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."<ref name="DS">{{Cite news |date=October 6, 2007 |title=RuPaul speaks about society and the state of drag as performance art |url=https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/RuPaul_speaks_about_society_and_the_state_of_drag_as_performance_art |newspaper=[[Wikinews]] |access-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105084758/https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/RuPaul_speaks_about_society_and_the_state_of_drag_as_performance_art |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Red Hot'''s lead single "[[Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous]]" peaked at number two on the dance chart. The second, "[[Workout (RuPaul song)|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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 9, 2004 |title=Billboard: Top Electric Albums |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=116 |issue=41 |pages=30 |issn=0006-2510 |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014907/https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul#v=snippet&q=RuPaul&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> In September, he was hired at [[WNEW-FM|WNEW]].<ref name=":0" />

On June 13, 2006, RuPaul released ''ReWorked'', his first [[remix]] album. The only single released from the album was a re-recording of "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which reached number 21 on the U.S. dance chart. June 20, 2007, saw the release of ''[[Starrbooty#Soundtrack|Starrbooty: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]'' in the United States. The single "Call Me Starrbooty" was digitally released in 2007. The album contains new tracks as well as interludes with dialogue from the movie. The film was released on DVD in October 2007.

===2008–2013: ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', ''Champion'', and ''Glamazon''===
[[File:Rupaul-2009 (cropped to collar).jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|RuPaul in 2009]]
In mid-2008, RuPaul began producing ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'', a reality television game show which aired on [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]] in February 2009. On the program 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. To publicize the new show, RuPaul appeared on several other shows in 2008, including ''[[Project Runway]]'', as guest judge, and on ''[[Paula's Party]]'' as a guest "chef".<ref>{{cite web |title=Project Runway Season 5 Good Queen Fun &#124; Bravo TV Official Site |url=http://www.bravotv.com/project-runway/season-5/good-queen-fun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208091237/http://www.bravotv.com/project-runway/season-5/good-queen-fun |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |publisher=[[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo TV]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diva Party : Paula's Party |url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/paulas-party/diva-party/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207232821/http://www.foodnetwork.com/paulas-party/diva-party/index.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |website=[[Food Network]]}}</ref>

In March 2009, RuPaul released the album ''[[Champion (RuPaul album)|Champion]]''. The album spawned four singles "[[Cover Girl (RuPaul song)|Cover Girl]]", "[[Jealous of My Boogie]]", "Devil Made Me Do It", and "Tranny Chaser". The album peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] as well as 26 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top Heatseekers]] chart. 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'', the album features remixes of songs from the 2009 album ''Champion''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=RuPaul Andre |date=March 30, 2010 |title=Apple Music Preview: Drag Race |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drag-race/361093827 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602121920/https://music.apple.com/us/album/drag-race/361093827 |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |website=[[Apple Music]] }}</ref>

In April 2011, coinciding with the finale of season 3 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'', RuPaul released his sixth studio album ''[[Glamazon (album)|Glamazon]]'', produced by [[Revolucian]]. The album charted on ''Billboard's'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] and the ''Billboard'' [[Top Heatseekers]] chart at 11 and 8 respectively. In July 2011, he released another remix EP entitled ''SuperGlam DQ'' which features remixes of tracks from ''Glamazon'', remixes of the "''Drag U'' Theme Song", and a new song, "Sexy Drag Queen". The second season of ''[[RuPaul's Drag U]]'' began in June 2011. In late 2011, RuPaul made appearances on ''[[The Rosie Show]]'' and ''[[The Chew]]'', and also attended a ''Drag Race'' NY Premiere party at [[Patricia Field]]'s store in New York. Season 4 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' premiered on [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]] on January 30, 2012, with RuPaul returning as the main host and judge. In the fall of 2012, the spin-off ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 1|RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' premiered and featured past contestants of the previous four seasons. Season 5 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' premiered on January 28, 2013. On April 30, 2013, he released "Lick It Lollipop" featuring [[Lady Bunny]].

In fall of 2013, RuPaul joined forces with cosmetic manufacturers Colorevolution to launch his debut make-up line featuring ultra-rich [[pigment]] cosmetics and a beauty collection. Released alongside the line was a [[unisex]] perfume entitled "[[Glamazon by Colorevolution|Glamazon]]". Talking to [[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]] he said: "Glamazon is for women and men of all ages and preferences who share one thing in common: They are not afraid to be fierce. For me, glamour should be accessible to all, and I am committed to helping the world look and smell more beautiful." The line was exclusively sold on the Colorevolution website in various gift sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldofwonder.net/rupauls-glamazon-limited-edition-makeup-fragrance/ |title=RuPaul's "Glamazon" Limited Edition Makeup and Fragrance Available Now! |publisher=World of Wonder |date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207000832/http://worldofwonder.net/rupauls-glamazon-limited-edition-makeup-fragrance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://colorevolution.com/category-Ru_Paul.html |title=Colorevolution Mineral Makeup&nbsp;— Ru Paul |publisher=Colorevolution.com |access-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121053954/http://colorevolution.com/category-Ru_Paul.html |archive-date=November 21, 2013 }}</ref>

=== 2014–2016: ''Born Naked'', ''Realness,'' ''Butch Queen'', and television expansion ===
[[File:RuPaul Trending Report 2015.jpg|left|thumb|RuPaul in 2015]]
On January 28, 2014 RuPaul released ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race season 6#Soundtrack|RuPaul Presents The CoverGurlz]]'', a collaborative album featuring new versions of RuPaul songs from 2009 to 2013. His seventh studio album, ''[[Born Naked]]'', was released on February 24, 2014, to coincide with the premiere of the 6th season of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race season 6|RuPaul's Drag Race]]''. ''Born Naked'' placed at number 4 on the US ''Billboard'' dance chart and 85 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. On April 9, 2014, RuPaul and [[Michelle Visage]] released the first episode of their podcast, ''[[RuPaul: What's The Tee?|RuPaul: What's the Tee? with Michelle Visage]]''. In August, he joined the reality competition show ''[[Skin Wars]]'' acting as a judge.

On March 2, 2015, RuPaul released his eighth studio album, ''[[Realness]]''. The release coincided with the premiere of the seventh season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. In April, he launched and began hosting a new show, ''[[Good Work (TV series)|Good Work]]'', a plastic surgery-themed talk show for [[E!]]. In October he released his second [[Christmas album]], and ninth studio album, ''[[Slay Belles]]''. The album contains ten original Christmas-themed songs and features collaborations with [[Michelle Visage]], [[Siedah Garrett]], [[Todrick Hall]], and [[Big Freedia]]. The album charted at 21 on the US ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance]] chart.<ref name="billboard.com">{{cite magazine |title=RuPaul&nbsp;— Chart history |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/369236/rupaul/chart?f=322 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604120238/https://www.billboard.com/artist/369236/rupaul/chart?f=322 |archive-date=June 4, 2015 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 }}</ref>

In January 2016, it was announced RuPaul would present a new game show for [[Logo TV]] called ''[[Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul]]'' which premiered on April 11, 2016, after ''RuPaul's Drag Race''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Logo Greenlights Two New Series Including RuPaul Game Show, Following Year-Over-Year Growth |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/logo-gay-for-play-game-show-rupaul-1201684468/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122309/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/logo-gay-for-play-game-show-rupaul-1201684468/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2016, he released his tenth album, ''[[Butch Queen]]'', just prior to the premiere of the [[RuPaul's Drag Race season 8|eighth season]] of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Avery |first=Dan |date=February 20, 2016 |title=Rupaul Announces New Album, "Butch Queen," Dropping March 7! |url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-announces-new-album-butch-queen-dropping-march-7/02/2016/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220094953/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-announces-new-album-butch-queen-dropping-march-7/02/2016/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |work=[[NewNowNext]]}}</ref> A song from the album, "U Wear It Well" was featured in the teaser campaigns for the season and was released as its first single. The album charted at number 3 on the US ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance]] chart.<ref name="billboard.com"/> "'Be Someone" featuring American singer [[Taylor Dayne]] was released as the album's second and final single. Additionally, ''[[Butch Queen|Butch Queen: The Ru-Mixes]]'' was released.

In July 2016, it was announced that RuPaul was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program]]. He was presented the award at the September [[68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards Ceremony]]. 2016 also saw the release of the single "Read U Wrote U" that features rap parts by the ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2'' finalists [[Roxxxy Andrews]], [[Katya Zamolodchikova]], [[Alaska Thunderfuck]], and [[Detox Icunt]] with production by [[Ellis Miah]].<ref name="miah">{{cite web |title=Read U Wrote U (Ellis Miah Mix) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Season 2] – Single by RuPaul |url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/read-u-wrote-u-ellis-miah-mix-feat-cast-rupauls-drag/1163061808 |publisher=iTunes Store |date=October 12, 2016 |language=en-ca |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210908/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/read-u-wrote-u-ellis-miah-mix-feat-cast-rupauls-drag/1163061808 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Further album releases, ''Drag Race UK'', ''AJ and the Queen'', and further TV shows ===
On February 3, 2017, RuPaul released the album ''[[Remember Me: Essential, Vol. 1]]''. It is a collection of new songs and remakes of RuPaul hits that feature new artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/06/rupaul-chats-about-reinventing-his-back-catalog-for-a-new-audience/|title=RuPaul Chats About Reinventing His Back Catalog For A New Audience|first=Hugh|last=McIntyre|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319201041/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/06/rupaul-chats-about-reinventing-his-back-catalog-for-a-new-audience/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two singles were released from the album: "Rock It (To The Moon)", and an updated version of RuPaul's 1996 single "Snapshot" from ''Foxy Lady''. The album debuted at number four on the ''Billboard'' Dance Albums Sales Chart in the United States and at number eleven on the UK Dance Albums Chart. On March 24, 2017, RuPaul released his eleventh studio album, ''[[American (album)|American]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/music/2017/3/22/rupaul-reclaims-core-american-values-political-new-album|title=RuPaul Reclaims Core 'American' Values With Political New Album|date=March 22, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143303/http://www.out.com/music/2017/3/22/rupaul-reclaims-core-american-values-political-new-album|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, the [[RuPaul's Drag Race season 9|ninth regular season]] of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' debuted on basic cable channel VH1. It moved from the expanded cable channel Logo TV which aired all previous seasons of the show. The season 9 premiere featured singer [[Lady Gaga]] as its guest judge and was a success, with ratings of nearly 1,000,000 viewers, making it the series' most viewed episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-ratings-records-1-million-viewers-season-9-premiere-vh1-1202053113/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Draws Nearly 1M Viewers In VH1 Debut|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420193030/https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-ratings-records-1-million-viewers-season-9-premiere-vh1-1202053113/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 9, 2017, ''[[Essential, Vol. 2]]'' was released. It was preceded by the single "Crying on the Dance Floor", a re-recording of the 2010 single "Main Event" from ''[[Champion (RuPaul album)|Champion]]''. On March 16, 2018, RuPaul received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for his contributions to the television industry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/23/entertainment/hollywood-walk-fame-2018/index.html |title=Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2018 revealed |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104813/https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/23/entertainment/hollywood-walk-fame-2018/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first drag queen to be given the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-hollywood-walk-of-fame|title=RuPaul Is the First Drag Queen to Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=March 17, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318054608/https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-hollywood-walk-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul released his third Christmas album in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/2018/8/29/ho-ho-ho-rupaul-releasing-new-christmas-album|title=Ho Ho Ho: RuPaul is Releasing a New Christmas Album|date=August 29, 2018|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181935/https://www.out.com/entertainment/2018/8/29/ho-ho-ho-rupaul-releasing-new-christmas-album|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:RuPaul at Dragcon 2019 by dvsross.jpg|thumb|At [[RuPaul's DragCon LA]] 2019]]

In June 2019, the daytime talk show ''[[RuPaul (talk show)|RuPaul]]'' premiered. It was cancelled after a three-week test run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-talk-show/04/2019/|title=RuPaul Gets His Oprah On in First Clip From His New Daytime Talk Show|last=Rudolph|first=Christopher|date=April 2, 2019|website=[[NewNowNext]]|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402230008/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-talk-show/04/2019/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hollywoodrep">{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=January 2, 2020|title=RuPaul Daytime Talk Show Not Moving Ahead at Fox Stations|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rupaul-daytime-talk-show-not-moving-at-fox-stations-1266055|access-date=January 6, 2020|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103040901/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rupaul-daytime-talk-show-not-moving-at-fox-stations-1266055|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[You Need to Calm Down]]" music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-parties-with-katy-perry-ellen-more-in-new-you-need-to-calm-down-video-watch/|title=Taylor Swift Parties With Katy Perry, RuPaul, More in New "You Need to Calm Down" Video: Watch|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=June 17, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618004816/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-parties-with-katy-perry-ellen-more-in-new-you-need-to-calm-down-video-watch/|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2019, the [[RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 1)|first season]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race UK]]'' was released on [[BBC3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/rpdr-judges|title='Graham Norton and Alan Carr confirmed as celebrity judges for RuPaul's Drag Race UK – series to air on BBC Three in 2019|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=December 8, 2019|language=en|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722001947/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/rpdr-judges|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tg-ukrpdr">{{cite news |last1=Bromwich |first1=Kathryn |title=Fierce competition: how a Brit makeover saved RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/22/fierce-competition-how-a-brit-makeover-saved-rupauls-drag-race |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=November 22, 2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155433/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/22/fierce-competition-how-a-brit-makeover-saved-rupauls-drag-race |url-status=live }}</ref> It was renewed for a [[RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2)|second season]] which was released in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ashurst|first1=Sam|title=RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 audition, casting air date, trailer and everything you need to know|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a30079234/rupauls-drag-race-uk-season-2-audition-casting-air-date-trailer/|website=Digital Spy|access-date=December 5, 2019|date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508003115/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a30079234/rupauls-drag-race-uk-season-2-audition-casting-air-date-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul also created and starred in the [[Netflix]] drama-comedy show ''[[AJ and the Queen]]'', which was released on January 10, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shows A-Z – AJ and the Queen on Netflix |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/aj-and-the-queen/listings/ |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=TheFutonCritic.com |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014910/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/aj-and-the-queen/listings/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 6, 2020, Netflix announced that the series had been cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.yahoo.com/aj-queen-cancelled-netflix-163654199.html|title=AJ and the Queen Cancelled at Netflix|date=March 6, 2020|first=Andy|last=Swift|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322064837/https://money.yahoo.com/aj-queen-cancelled-netflix-163654199.html|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on February 8, 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/21/rupaul-hosting-saturday-night-live/|title=RuPaul to host Saturday Night Live for the first time|date=January 21, 2020|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014748/https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/21/rupaul-hosting-saturday-night-live/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 11, RuPaul made an appearance on ''[[The Price Is Right (American game show)#CBS primetime specials and series|The Price Is Right at Night]]''.<ref name="Ramos">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/rupaul-price-is-right-at-night-primetime-special-cbs-drew-carey-1202924735/|title=RuPaul Sashays Into 'The Price Is Right At Night' Primetime Special|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|location=United States|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510233633/https://deadline.com/2020/05/rupaul-price-is-right-at-night-primetime-special-cbs-drew-carey-1202924735/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also made an appearance in the premiere episode of ''[[Canada's Drag Race]]''.

In August 2021, RuPaul guest hosted two episodes of the talk show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Street|first=Mikelle|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/8/26/watch-rupaul-guest-host-jimmy-kimmel-play-guess-drag-queen|title=Watch RuPaul Guest Host 'Jimmy Kimmel,' Kiki With Symone Over Win|website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|date=August 26, 2021|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828091627/https://www.out.com/television/2021/8/26/watch-rupaul-guest-host-jimmy-kimmel-play-guess-drag-queen|url-status=live}}</ref> He did voice work in ''[[Amphibia (TV series)|Amphibia]]'' portraying the [[FBI]] agent Mr. X. He won the [[Tony Award for Best Musical]] in 2022 as a producer of the Broadway musical ''[[A Strange Loop]]''.<ref name="tony">{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |date=June 12, 2022 |title=Tony Awards 2022 Live Updates: 'A Strange Loop' Wins Best Musical |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/12/theater/tony-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613033252/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/12/theater/tony-awards |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He also voices himself as the announcer on ''[[List of programs broadcast by Nickelodeon#Current programming|The Tiny Chef Show]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeons-brand-new-series-the-tiny-chef-show-stocks-its-first-season-with-celebrity-guests-and-rupaul-as-voice-announcer-301599898.html |title=Nickelodeon's Brand-New Series, the Tiny Chef Show, Stocks ITS First Season with Celebrity Guests and Rupaul as Voice Announcer |date=August 4, 2022 |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912142944/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeons-brand-new-series-the-tiny-chef-show-stocks-its-first-season-with-celebrity-guests-and-rupaul-as-voice-announcer-301599898.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He began hosting a revival of the game show ''[[Lingo (American game show)|Lingo]]'' for [[CBS]] in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=RuPaul Charles To Host Word Quiz 'Lingo' Reboot For CBS |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/rupaul-charles-word-quiz-lingo-reboot-cbs-1234931785/ |website=Deadline |access-date=February 11, 2022 |date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526021212/https://deadline.com/2022/02/rupaul-charles-word-quiz-lingo-reboot-cbs-1234931785/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as ''Celebrity Lingo'', a spinoff of [[Lingo (British game show)|the UK series]] of the same name on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Lauren |date=May 3, 2022 |title=RuPaul to host Celebrity Lingo for ITV |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-itv-newsupdate/ |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=Radio Times |archive-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904180248/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-itv-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

HarperCollins published the RuPaul memoir ''[[The House of Hidden Meanings]]'' in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=October 4, 2023 |title=RuPaul to Explore 'The House of Hidden Meanings' in 'Cathartic' New Memoir |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/rupaul-new-memoir-the-house-of-hidden-meanings-1234839528/ |access-date=February 3, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233744/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/rupaul-new-memoir-the-house-of-hidden-meanings-1234839528/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Other ventures==
===Podcasting===
The [[podcast]] ''[[RuPaul: What's the Tee?|RuPaul: What's the Tee? With Michelle Visage]]'' debuted on April 6, 2014. Ru-Paul co-hosts with longtime friend and fellow ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' judge [[Michelle Visage]]. The weekly show features their thoughts on topics including behind-the-scenes of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'', life advice, beauty tips, and conversations with featured guests from the entertainment world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2014/04/09/listen-rupaul-debuts-official-podcast-what%E2%80%99s-tee|title=Listen: RuPaul Debuts Official Podcast 'What's the Tee?'|first=Jase|last=Peeples|work=Advocate.com|date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014|archive-date=April 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420015900/http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2014/04/09/listen-rupaul-debuts-official-podcast-what%E2%80%99s-tee|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.rupaulpodcast.com ''RuPaul: What's The Tee? With Michelle Visage''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224043442/http://www.rupaulpodcast.com/ |date=February 24, 2018 }} website.</ref>

===Audiobooks===
In 2018, RuPaul was one of the actors who voiced the audiobook ''[[A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo]]''.<ref name="Bundo AV Club">{{cite news |last=Perkins |first=Dennis |date=March 19, 2018 |title=John Oliver hijacks homophobe Mike Pence's bunny book with a better one in A Day In The Life Of Marlon Bundo |url=https://www.avclub.com/john-oliver-hijacks-homophobe-mike-pences-bunny-book-wi-1823879129 |work=AV Club |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118192017/https://www.avclub.com/john-oliver-hijacks-homophobe-mike-pences-bunny-book-wi-1823879129 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Drag conventions===
Launched through production company [[World of Wonder (company)|World of Wonder]], [[RuPaul's DragCon LA]] is an annual drag-themed convention held in Los Angeles which started in 2015, followed by [[RuPaul's DragCon NYC]]. It began in 2017 in New York City; the public is able to meet with RuPaul, former ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' contestants, and other drag queens.<ref name="laweekly-dragcon-2018">{{cite news |last1=Lecaro |first1=Lina |title=RuPaul's DragCon Returns to Wow L.A. |url=https://www.laweekly.com/arts/rupauls-dragcon-returns-to-wow-la-9409656 |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=L.A. Weekly |date=May 3, 2018 |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183035/https://www.laweekly.com/arts/rupauls-dragcon-returns-to-wow-la-9409656 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The conventions feature performances, meet-and-greet booths, merchandise sales and panel discussions.<ref name="hobro-dragcon-2018">{{cite news |last1=Hobro |first1=Marie E. |title=RuPaul's DragCon LA returns for its fourth year |url=https://www.latimes.com/visuals/photography/la-me-drag-con-unfurled-gallery-20180521-story.html |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902234452/http://www.latimes.com/visuals/photography/la-me-drag-con-unfurled-gallery-20180521-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Activism ===
RuPaul has been an active supporter of voter registration, producing a public service announcement supporting [[National Voter Registration Day]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 27, 2016|title=RuPaul Made a PSA for National Voter Registration Day|url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2016/9/27/rupaul-made-psa-national-voter-registration-day|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=out.com|language=en|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031173328/https://www.out.com/popnography/2016/9/27/rupaul-made-psa-national-voter-registration-day|url-status=live}}</ref> and urging everyone to register.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor October 17, 2018|first=Jeff|title=RuPaul Wants You to Vote|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-get-out-the-vote/10/2018/|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=LOGO News|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009114835/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-get-out-the-vote/10/2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> As RuPaul said [[Voter identification laws in the United States|voter ID laws]] vary from state to state; the details of the voter ID required in each state are provided by [[HeadCount]] and [[VoteRiders]]. As one in five LGBTQ adults are not registered to vote, voter registration efforts have expanded recently. Several stars from ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' act as Ambassadors for Drag Out the Vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drag Ambassador Program|url=https://www.dragoutthevote2020.org/dap|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=Drag Out The Vote|language=en-US|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008194204/https://www.dragoutthevote2020.org/dap|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2023, in response to the [[Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act]], RuPaul, World of Wonder producers Randy Barbarto and Fenton Bailey, and MTV began a fund to fight anti-drag initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silver |first=Johanna |date=April 14, 2023 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Finale Highlights ACLU's Defense of Trans Rights |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/rupauls-drag-race-finale-drag-defense-fund |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[ACLU]] |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111027/https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/rupauls-drag-race-finale-drag-defense-fund |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Speegle |first=Trey |date=March 9, 2023 |title=#LGBTQ: 'RuPaul's Drag Race', MTV & WOW Donate to 'Drag Defense Fund' –Ru Speaks Out –Watch – The WOW Report |url=https://worldofwonder.net/lgbtq-rupauls-drag-race-mtv-wow-donates-to-drag-defense-fund-ru-speaks-out-watch/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[World of Wonder (company)|World of Wonder]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111018/https://worldofwonder.net/lgbtq-rupauls-drag-race-mtv-wow-donates-to-drag-defense-fund-ru-speaks-out-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Silver |first=Johanna |date=April 27, 2023 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' finale highlights ACLU's defense of trans rights {{!}} Activating supporters to push back against anti-LGBTQ legislation |work=[[Washington Blade]] |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/04/27/opinion-drag-race-finale-aclu-defense/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014719/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/04/27/opinion-drag-race-finale-aclu-defense/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[ACLU]] maintains the fund,<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=American Civil Liberties Union |year=2023 |title=Support The Drag Defense Fund |url=https://action.aclu.org/give/support-drag-defense-fund |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=action.aclu.org |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111018/https://action.aclu.org/give/support-drag-defense-fund |url-status=live }}</ref> which received donations from efforts at DragCon LA 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ingenthron |first=Blair |date=May 14, 2023 |title=DragCon LA 2023 Raises $40,000 for ACLU's Drag Defense Fund, Bringing Total to $1.4 Million |work=[[BroadwayWorld]] |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/DragCon-LA-2023-Raises-40000-for-ACLUs-Drag-Defense-Fund-Bringing-Total-to-14-Million-20230514 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111017/https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/DragCon-LA-2023-Raises-40000-for-ACLUs-Drag-Defense-Fund-Bringing-Total-to-14-Million-20230514 |url-status=live }}</ref> the "Drag Isn't Dangerous" livestream telethon,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Drag Isn't Dangerous Telethon Raises More Than $500,000 for LGBTQ Causes |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/drag-isnt-dangerous-telethon-raises-500000-lgbtq-charities-1235324743/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223154959/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/drag-isnt-dangerous-telethon-raises-500000-lgbtq-charities-1235324743/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Can't Hold us Down",<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Can't Hold Us Down: A Benefit for the ACLU's Drag Defense Fund – Twin Cities Pride |url=https://tcpride.org/event/cant-hold-us-down-a-benefit-for-the-aclus-drag-defense-fund/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111018/https://tcpride.org/event/cant-hold-us-down-a-benefit-for-the-aclus-drag-defense-fund/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Born This Way",<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Born This Way: Benefit for the ACLU's Drag Defense Fund |url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/born-this-way-benefit-for-the-aclus-drag-defense-fund-tickets-621067970017 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Eventbrite |language=en-us |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111019/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/born-this-way-benefit-for-the-aclus-drag-defense-fund-tickets-621067970017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "God Save the Queens",<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=Business Wire |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Grindr and MISTR Join Forces for 'God Save the Queens' Pride Fundraiser Series Benefiting Local Drag Artists and the ACLU Drag Defense Fund |url=https://www.silicon.co.uk/press-release/grindr-and-mistr-join-forces-for-god-save-the-queens-pride-fundraiser-series-benefiting-local-drag-artists-and-the-aclu-drag-defense-fund |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Silicon UK |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111021/https://www.silicon.co.uk/press-release/grindr-and-mistr-join-forces-for-god-save-the-queens-pride-fundraiser-series-benefiting-local-drag-artists-and-the-aclu-drag-defense-fund |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as a small donation from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Manhattan Association of Cabarets Donates to ACLU Drag Defense Fund |work=[[Playbill]] |url=https://playbill.com/article/manhattan-association-of-cabarets-donates-to-aclu-drag-defense-fund |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723111018/https://playbill.com/article/manhattan-association-of-cabarets-donates-to-aclu-drag-defense-fund |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Instagram post RuPaul made prior to the establishment of the fund called on followers to vote, saying, "Register to vote so we can get those stunt queens out of office." The video ends with the statement, "By the way, a social media post has never been as powerful as a registered vote."<ref>{{Cite news |last=St. Martin |first=Emily |date=March 8, 2023 |title=RuPaul slams those laws banning drag shows: 'Get these stunt queens out of office' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-03-08/rupaul-drag-show-bans-response |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309033743/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-03-08/rupaul-drag-show-bans-response |archive-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref>

==Impact==
Lauren Herold of ''Mic.com'' deemed RuPaul "arguably the most commercially successful drag queen in America."<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Herold |first=Lauren |date=May 29, 2013 |title=How RuPaul Became a Leading Icon in the Gay Community |url=https://mic.com/articles/44947/how-rupaul-became-a-leading-icon-in-the-gay-community#.mjWQkaIfc |publisher=[[Mic (media company)|Mic.com]] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424111822/http://mic.com/articles/44947/how-rupaul-became-a-leading-icon-in-the-gay-community#.mjWQkaIfc |url-status=live }}</ref> Sami Main of ''Adweek'' credited him with creating wider exposure for drag queens from [[LGBTQ culture]] into [[Mainstream media|mainstream]] society, thanks to his early-career chart success, and later, the successive climb in viewership of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Main |first=Sami |date=March 24, 2017 |title=RuPaul on Moving to Mainstream Television and the 'Political' Nature of Drag Culture |url=http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/rupaul-on-moving-to-mainstream-television-and-the-political-nature-of-drag-culture/ |url-access=subscription |website=[[Adweek]] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810055103/http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/rupaul-on-moving-to-mainstream-television-and-the-political-nature-of-drag-culture/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His talk show ''The RuPaul Show'' was the first-ever national talk show to have a drag queen as a host. Along with his partner Michelle Visage, he welcomed an array of high-profile guests such as [[Cher]], [[Lil Kim]], and [[Diana Ross]] over the show's 100-episode span. As well as having a variety of comedy [[skits]], the show was noted for discussing topics such as black empowerment, [[female empowerment]], [[misogyny]], and liberal politics that were otherwise unheard of in 1990s television at the time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Jake |date=October 25, 2016 |title=Why RuPaul was a cultural icon long before Drag Race |url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/33452/1/why-rupaul-was-a-cultural-icon-long-before-drag-race |website=[[Dazed]] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810052639/http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/33452/1/why-rupaul-was-a-cultural-icon-long-before-drag-race |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, RuPaul was awarded the [[Vito Russo Award]] at the [[GLAAD Media Award]]s for work in promoting equality in the [[LGBTQ community]].

RuPaul has also been noted as having a large part in ''RuPaul's Drag Race''{{'}}s continuous television success. By pioneering queer representation on television, many believe RuPaul to have essentially revolutionised the portrayal of the [[LGBTQ]]+ community on screen.<ref>{{cite web |last=Houlihan |first=Ryan |date=June 15, 2016 |title=How 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Led a Gay Cultural Revolution&nbsp;– and Changed My Life |url=http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-rupauls-drag-race-led-a-gay-cultural-revolution |website=[[Teen Vogue]] |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810053705/http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-rupauls-drag-race-led-a-gay-cultural-revolution |url-status=live }}</ref> He first won an [[Emmy]] for his work on the show in 2016, and one year later the show garnered eight nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program]] for the first time in its 11-season run, and a second consecutive win for RuPaul in the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Jung |first=E. Alex |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Straight Emmy Voters Finally Discover RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/07/rupauls-drag-race-emmy-nomination-finally.html |website=[[New York (magazine)|New York – Vulture]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306160021/https://www.vulture.com/2017/07/rupauls-drag-race-emmy-nomination-finally.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, he was included in the annual [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] list of the most influential people in the world.<ref name="time">{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Naomi |title=RuPaul: The World's 100 Most Influential People |url=https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4736291/rupaul/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403211100/https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4736291/rupaul/ |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=August 10, 2017 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> In 2019, ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' noted RuPaul as "easily the world's most famous" drag queen.<ref name="klein1"/>

=== Relationship with transgender community ===
RuPaul has been the subject of multiple controversies regarding his comments and actions towards the transgender community. According to ''Vox'', he has a complicated relationship with this community, in part due to differing philosophies: through drag he seeks to mock gender and identity stereotypes, while in his view the trans community takes identity seriously.<ref name="Vox-2018">{{cite news |last=Framke |first=Caroline |author-link=Caroline Framke |date=March 7, 2018 |title=How RuPaul's comments on trans women led to a Drag Race revolt – and a rare apology |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |quote=To understand why RuPaul has always been resistant to let go of what he finds to be harmless jokes, you have to understand that he built his career on the principle that no one should take themselves or gender particularly seriously. In fact, as he told Vulture, his vision of drag is that it's meant to "remind culture to not take itself seriously." When he gets asked about the trans community's relation to drag, he said, he just gets bored because "we mock identity. They take identity very seriously." |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708195225/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' has featured a number of contestants who are [[trans women]], including [[Kylie Sonique Love|Kylie "Sonique" Love]], [[Carmen Carrera]], [[Jiggly Caliente]], [[Monica Beverly Hillz]], [[Kenya Michaels]], and [[Gia Gunn]], some of whom made their identity public while competing on the show.<ref name="gia-trans">{{cite news |last1=Rudolph |first1=Christopher |title=Former 'Drag Race' Contestant Gia Gunn Comes Out As Trans |url=http://www.newnownext.com/gia-gunn-trans-rupauls-drag-race/03/2017/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=LOGO News |date=March 31, 2017 |archive-date=September 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140517/http://www.newnownext.com/gia-gunn-trans-rupauls-drag-race/03/2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="salandra">{{cite news |last1=Salandra |first1=Adam |title=11 Times "RuPaul's Drag Race" Celebrated The Trans Community |url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-transgender/04/2017/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=LOGO News |date=April 29, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183028/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-transgender/04/2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later seasons of the show have included contestants who had already disclosed their trans identity prior to their season beginning. In 2017, [[Peppermint (entertainer)|Peppermint]] became the first contestant to compete throughout her season as an openly trans woman and in 2021 [[Gottmik]] was the first to compete as an openly [[trans man]].<ref name="pep-gsn-2018">{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Joe |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Was trans queen Peppermint told to dress 'as a man' on Drag Race? |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/trans-queen-peppermint-told-dress-man-drag-race |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903222325/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/trans-queen-peppermint-told-dress-man-drag-race/ |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[Gay Star News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |date=March 3, 2021 |title=Gottmik, the First Trans Man on Drag Race, Is Already a Winner, Baby |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/gottmik-rupauls-drag-race-fashion-star |access-date=June 2, 2021 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502123054/https://www.vogue.com/article/gottmik-rupauls-drag-race-fashion-star |url-status=live }}</ref> Other [[Gender variance|non-conforming gender]] identities expressed by former contestants include both [[non-binary]] ([[Jinkx Monsoon]], [[Aja (entertainer)|Aja]], [[Valentina (drag queen)|Valentina]], [[Divina de Campo]], [[Ginny Lemon]], [[Violet Chachki]],<ref name="valentina-nb">{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Mathew |date=January 14, 2019 |title=Valentina Identifies as Nonbinary: "I'm My Own Gender" |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/2019/1/14/valentina-identifies-non-binary-im-my-own-gender |access-date=January 24, 2019 |work=[[Out (magazine)|Out]] |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508095733/https://www.out.com/entertainment/2019/1/14/valentina-identifies-non-binary-im-my-own-gender |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Sasha Velour]])<ref>{{cite web |last=Tirado |first=Fran |date=April 3, 2019 |title=Sasha Velour's New Solo Show Is an Homage to Her Gender Fluidity |url=https://www.out.com/drag/2019/4/03/sasha-velours-new-solo-show-homage-her-gender-fluidity |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]] |language=en |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305014409/https://www.out.com/drag/2019/4/03/sasha-velours-new-solo-show-homage-her-gender-fluidity |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[genderfluid]] ([[Courtney Act]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashenden |first1=Amy |date=April 25, 2018 |title=What does gender-fluid mean? Courtney Act explains how gender-fluidity set her free |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/25/courtney-act-gender-fluid/ |access-date=March 20, 2020 |work=[[PinkNews]] |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301204302/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/25/courtney-act-gender-fluid/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kelly Mantle]])<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yohannes |first1=Alamin |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Gender-fluid actor Kelly Mantle makes Oscars history |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gender-fluid-actor-kelly-mantle-makes-oscars-history-n694926 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409174140/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gender-fluid-actor-kelly-mantle-makes-oscars-history-n694926 |url-status=live }}</ref> persons.

In 2014, trans activists and former contestants Carmen Carrera and Monica Beverly Hillz criticized the show's use of words such as ''[[tranny]]'' and ''[[shemale]]'', including the main challenge announcement phrase up to season 6, "You've got she-mail", which they described as [[transphobic]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Nigel |title=Carmen Carrera Clashes w/ RuPaul In 'Tranny' Controversy |url=http://instinctmagazine.com/post/carmen-carrera-clashes-w-rupaul-tranny-controversy |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=Instinct |date=May 27, 2014 |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183038/http://instinctmagazine.com/post/carmen-carrera-clashes-w-rupaul-tranny-controversy |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="huffpo-ru-maron">{{cite news |last1=Nichols |first1=James |date=May 23, 2014 |title=RuPaul Responds To Controversy Over The Word 'Tranny' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/rupaul-responds-tranny_n_5374897 |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[HuffPost]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101143425/http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/rupaul-responds-tranny_n_5374897 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[RuPaul's Drag Race season 6|That year's season]] also included a "Female or She-male" segment that required contestants to guess whether various photographs featured [[cisgender]] "biological women" or "psychological women" (drag queens), causing further criticism.<ref name="slate-2014">{{cite news |last1=D'Angelo |first1=Rafi |date=March 19, 2014 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race&nbsp;Crosses the Line with 'Female or Shemale' |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/03/19/rupaul_s_drag_race_and_transphobia_why_the_shemale_game_was_offensive.html |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183054/http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/03/19/rupaul_s_drag_race_and_transphobia_why_the_shemale_game_was_offensive.html |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul and the producers issued a statement promising "to help spread love, acceptance and understanding" and Logo TV removed the "You've got she-mail" phrase from subsequent broadcasts, replacing it instead with the phrase "She done already done had herses."<ref name="2014-april-response">{{cite news |last1=Nichols |first1=James |date=April 1, 2014 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Producers Respond To Claims Of Transphobia |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/drag-race-transphobia_n_5062692 |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[HuffPost]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014754/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/drag-race-transphobia_n_5062692 |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul criticized those attempting to police his language in bad faith and noted that ''tranny'' referred to [[transvestites]] and drag queens, not just trans women.<ref name="advocate-2014-ru-response">{{cite news |last1=Peeples |first1=Jase |date=May 26, 2014 |title=RuPaul Further Responds to Transphobic Accusations: 'I've Been a "Tranny" for 32 Years' |url=https://www.advocate.com/&#91;primary-topic-path-raw&#93;/2014/05/26/rupaul-further-responds-transphobic-accusations-ive-been-tranny |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]] |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205070412/https://www.advocate.com/%5Bprimary-topic-path-raw%5D/2014/05/26/rupaul-further-responds-transphobic-accusations-ive-been-tranny |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="salon-2014">{{cite news |last1=D'Addario |first1=Daniel |date=May 27, 2014 |title=RuPaul's aggressive tirade in defense of the term 'tranny' |url=https://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/rupauls_aggressive_tirade_in_defense_of_the_term_tranny/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215234/https://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/rupauls_aggressive_tirade_in_defense_of_the_term_tranny/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, RuPaul gave an interview to ''[[The Guardian]]'' in which he stated that a post-[[Gender transitioning|transition]] trans woman would "probably not" be accepted onto the show, noting that at the time of competition Peppermint had not yet had [[breast implant]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aitkenhead |first1=Decca |date=March 3, 2018 |title=RuPaul: 'Drag is a big f-you to male-dominated culture' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/03/rupaul-drag-race-big-f-you-to-male-dominated-culture |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127040806/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/03/rupaul-drag-race-big-f-you-to-male-dominated-culture |url-status=live }}</ref> After facing criticism on social media and from former contestants for his remarks,<ref name="advocate-2014-2018-changes">{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Daniel |date=March 10, 2018 |title=The Meaning of RuPaul's Apology: What Changed From 2014 to 2018? |url=https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2018/3/10/meaning-rupauls-apology-what-changed-2014-2018 |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]] |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215219/https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2018/3/10/meaning-rupauls-apology-what-changed-2014-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul compared trans drag queens who had transitioned to athletes who had taken [[performance-enhancing substance|performance-enhancing drugs]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |date=March 5, 2018 |title=RuPaul compares transgender drag queens to Olympics drug cheats, doubles down on Drag Race 'ban' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/03/05/rupaul-compares-transgender-drag-queens-to-doping-athletes-doubles-down-on-drag-race-ban/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=[[PinkNews]] |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215259/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/03/05/rupaul-compares-transgender-drag-queens-to-doping-athletes-doubles-down-on-drag-race-ban/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently expressed regret for the hurt caused by his remarks, and that the only screening criteria for contestants were "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent."<ref name="towle-2018-regret">{{cite news |last1=Towle |first1=Andy |author-link=Andy Towle |date=March 6, 2018 |title=RuPaul Tweets 'Regret' for 'Hurt I Have Caused' to Trans Community for 'Drag Race' Eligibility Remarks |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2018/03/rupaul-transgender/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |work=Towleroad Gay News |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215201/http://www.towleroad.com/2018/03/rupaul-transgender/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since RuPaul made these statements, multiple transgender contestants have competed and won on the show.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[TheWrap]]|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: All the Transgender Queens (Photos)|author=Yee, Lawrence|date=January 27, 2023|url=https://www.thewrap.com/rupauls-drag-race-transgender-contestants-kylie-sonique-love-jiggly-caliente/}}</ref>

==Personal life==
RuPaul met painter Georges LeBar in 1994 at [[the Limelight]] nightclub in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beard |first1=Lanford |title=RuPaul Is Married to Partner of 23 Years, Georges LeBar |url=https://people.com/celebrity/rupaul-married-partner-23-years/ |access-date=September 5, 2023 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905170702/https://people.com/celebrity/rupaul-married-partner-23-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They married in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 16, 2017 |title=RuPaul reveals he married boyfriend in January |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39289862 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128021503/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39289862 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have an [[open marriage]]; RuPaul has said he would not want to "put restraints" on the person he loves.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Milton |first1=Josh |date=November 26, 2019 |title=RuPaul discusses his open marriage in rare, candid interview |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/11/26/rupaul-drag-race-open-marriage-relationship-georges-lebar-vanity-fair/ |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=[[PinkNews]] |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322061434/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/11/26/rupaul-drag-race-open-marriage-relationship-georges-lebar-vanity-fair/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The two split their time between a home in Los Angeles and a {{convert|60000|acre|ha|adj=on}} ranch in [[Wyoming]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gross |first=Terry |author-link=Terry Gross |date=March 10, 2020 |title=RuPaul's Recipe For Success? Love Yourself And Stay Flexible |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/10/813970591/rupauls-recipe-for-success-love-yourself-and-stay-flexible |access-date=March 10, 2020 |publisher=[[NPR]] |quote="RuPaul, who splits time between Los Angeles and a 60,000-acre ranch in Wyoming, says one of the secrets to his success is adaptability." |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311104215/https://www.npr.org/2020/03/10/813970591/rupauls-recipe-for-success-love-yourself-and-stay-flexible |url-status=live }}</ref> Environmentalists criticized them in 2020 after RuPaul revealed that they lease mineral rights and sell water to oil companies on their ranch, and allow [[fracking]] there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/PIC/PIC32r1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/PIC/PIC32r1.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Hydraulic Fracturing of Oil and Gas Wells in Kansas|date=May 2012|website=Kansas Geological Survey-University of Kansas|access-date=December 16, 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Questions and Answers about EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Drinking Water Assessment |url=https://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/questions-and-answers-about-epas-hydraulic-fracturing-drinking-water-assessment#scientific%20evidence |access-date=December 16, 2020 |website=[[U.S. EPA]] |language=en |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216020159/https://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/questions-and-answers-about-epas-hydraulic-fracturing-drinking-water-assessment#scientific%20evidence |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=Louise |date=March 17, 2020 |title=RuPaul: Environmental outcry after Drag Race star suggests he allows fracking on ranch |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ru-paul-fracking-ranch-drag-race-environment-a9407461.html |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322061048/https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ru-paul-fracking-ranch-drag-race-environment-a9407461.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to public maps, the ranch has at least 35 active wells.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noor |first1=Dharna |last2=Mehrota |first2=Dhruv |date=March 17, 2020 |title=RuPaul Has a Fracking Empire on His Wyoming Ranch |url=https://gizmodo.com/rupaul-has-a-fracking-empire-on-his-wyoming-ranch-1842364626 |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=[[Gizmodo]] |language=en-us |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531045550/https://gizmodo.com/rupaul-has-a-fracking-empire-on-his-wyoming-ranch-1842364626 |url-status=live }}</ref> RuPaul previously held a [[The Last Ball on Earth|climate-themed ball]] on his show to raise [[environmentalism|environmental awareness]], leading to accusations of hypocrisy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Amal |date=March 18, 2020 |title=The Most Unexpected Revelation From RuPaul's Recent NPR Interview? He Might Be Fracking |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/is-rupaul-fracking/ |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=[[Texas Monthly]] |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322061052/https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/is-rupaul-fracking/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

RuPaul publicly endorsed [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dilks |first=Ben |date=November 7, 2016 |title="Don't f*ck it up": RuPaul issues plea ahead of US presidential vote |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/11/07/dont-fck-it-up-rupaul-issues-plea-ahead-of-us-presidential-vote-video/ |website=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317143547/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/11/07/dont-fck-it-up-rupaul-issues-plea-ahead-of-us-presidential-vote-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He expressed dismay at Clinton's defeat by [[Republican Party (US)|Republican]] nominee [[Donald Trump]], saying, "The America that we have all fought so hard for, the narrative of love and peace and liberty and equality, it feels like it is dead."<ref>{{cite news |last=Butterworth |first=Benjamin |date=December 15, 2016 |title=RuPaul 'feels like death' about Donald Trump's election |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/12/15/rupaul-feels-like-death-about-donald-trumps-election/ |website=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014720/https://www.thepinknews.com/2016/12/15/rupaul-feels-like-death-about-donald-trumps-election/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He has described doing drag as a "very, very political" act because it "challenges the ''status quo''" by rejecting fixed identities: "Drag says 'I'm a shapeshifter, I do whatever the hell I want at any given time'."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nichols |first1=James Michael |last2=Delbyck |first2=Cole |date=March 23, 2017 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Is Leaving TV's Biggest Gay Network&nbsp;– Now What? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rupauls-drag-race-logo-vh1_us_58d1b0bce4b0b22b0d17f9aa?5hxh9fw6vsded0a4i |website=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324085100/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rupauls-drag-race-logo-vh1_us_58d1b0bce4b0b22b0d17f9aa?5hxh9fw6vsded0a4i |url-status=live }}</ref>

RuPaul started smoking [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] at age 10 or 11.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=September 10, 2019 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Things You Didn't Know About RuPaul |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-things-didnt-know-rupaul/ |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035008/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-things-didnt-know-rupaul/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Schulman |first=Michael |date=February 23, 2014 |title=For RuPaul, A Second Act with 'Drag Race' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/fashion/RuPaul-Drag-Race-television.html |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622195941/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/fashion/RuPaul-Drag-Race-television.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kimmel |first=Jimmy |author-link=Jimmy Kimmel |date=January 9, 2020 |title=RuPaul Loves Wrestling 'For All The Reasons You Think' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-yI9PEmTx4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402132618/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-yI9PEmTx4&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |website=[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]] |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}Also archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2-yI9PEmTx4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}}</ref> Since 1999, he has been sober and has not had alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. In 2020, he found out while appearing on the TV show ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'' that he and [[New Jersey]] Senator [[Cory Booker]] are "DNA cousins."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/10/28/rupaul-cory-booker-cousins-orig-jk.cnn|title=See RuPaul and Cory Booker react to finding out they're cousins|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207090431/https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/10/28/rupaul-cory-booker-cousins-orig-jk.cnn|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2013 interview, RuPaul said, "I'm not religious, but I do have spiritual practices like yoga and meditation and I do pray."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ruashenbush |first=Rev. Paul Brandeis |date=January 28, 2013 |title=RuPaul's Divine Mystical Wisdom |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rupaul-divine-mystical-wisdom_b_2544739 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=[[HuffPost]] |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104054401/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rupaul-divine-mystical-wisdom_b_2544739 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|RuPaul discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
{{div col}}
* ''[[Supermodel of the World]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Foxy Lady (RuPaul album)|Foxy Lady]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Ho Ho Ho (album)|Ho Ho Ho]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Red Hot (album)|Red Hot]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Champion (RuPaul album)|Champion]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Glamazon (album)|Glamazon]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Born Naked]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Realness]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Slay Belles]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Butch Queen]]'' (2016)
* ''[[American (album)|American]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Christmas Party (RuPaul album)|Christmas Party]]'' (2018)
* ''[[You're a Winner, Baby]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Mamaru (album)|Mamaru]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Black Butta]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Essential Christmas]]'' (2023)
{{div col end}}

==Filmography==

===Film===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
|-
! scope="row" | 1987
| ''[[RuPaul Is: Starbooty!]]''
| Starbooty
|-
! scope="row" | 1994
| ''[[Crooklyn]]''
| Connie
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="6"| 1995
| ''[[The Brady Bunch Movie]]''
| Mrs. Cummings
|-
| ''[[Wigstock: The Movie]]''
| Himself
|-
| ''[[Blue in the Face]]''
| Dancer
|-
| ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]''
| Rachel Tensions
|-
| ''[[Red Ribbon Blues]]''
| Duke
|-
| ''[[A Mother's Prayer]]''
| Deacon "Dede"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1996
| ''[[Fled]]''
| Himself
|-
| ''[[A Very Brady Sequel]]''
| Mrs. Cummings
|-
! scope="row" | 1998
| ''An Unexpected Life''
| Charles
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 1999
| ''[[EDtv]]''
| RuPaul
|-
| ''[[But I'm a Cheerleader]]''
| Mike
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2000
| ''[[The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000 film)|The Eyes of Tammy Faye]]''
| Narrator
|-
| ''[[The Truth About Jane]]''
| Jimmy
|-
| ''For the Love of May''
| Jimbo
|-
! scope="row" | 2001
| ''[[Who is Cletis Tout?]]''
| Ginger Markum
|-
! scope="row" | 2005
| ''[[Dangerous Liaisons (2005 film)|Dangerous Liaisons]]''
| Himself
|-
! scope="row" | 2006
|''Zombie Prom: The Movie''
| Delilah Strict
|-
! scope="row" | 2007
| ''[[Starrbooty]]''
| Starrbooty/Cupcake
|-
! scope="row" | 2008
| ''[[Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild]]''
| Tyrell Tyrelle
|-
! scope="row" | 2016
| ''[[Hurricane Bianca]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveleft.com/bianca/|title=Peaches & Bianca: The Ultimate Old Lady Drag Smackdown|work=Left Magazine|first=Jason|last=LeRoy|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2015|archive-date=March 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308130844/http://www.liveleft.com/bianca/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Weather Man
|-
! scope="row" | 2018
|''[[Show Dogs]]''
| Persephone (voice)
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2019
|''[[Someone Great (film)|Someone Great]]''
| Hype
|-
|''[[Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts]]''
| Himself
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2021
|''[[The Bitch Who Stole Christmas]]''
| Hannah Contour
|-
| ''Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon''
| Q<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coates |first1=Tyler |title='Reno 911!' Lives on With Emmy-Nominated Television Movie 'The Hunt for QAnon' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/reno-911-tv-movie-hunt-qanon-1235197660/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 2022
| ''[[Zombies 3]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Joey Nolfi|url=https://ew.com/movies/rupaul-disney-zombies-3-movie-release-date/|title=RuPaul joins Disney's Zombie 3 movie as the mother of all alien spaceships|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 20, 2022|access-date=May 20, 2022|archive-date=June 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623055659/https://ew.com/movies/rupaul-disney-zombies-3-movie-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| The Mothership (voice)
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2023
|''[[Ozi: Voice of the Forest]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|title=Amandla Stenberg, Laura Dern And Donald Sutherland Among Those Joining Environmental Animated Pic 'Ozi'|date=July 12, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/amandla-stenberg-laura-dern-dondald-sutherland-ozi-1234790624/|accessdate=October 30, 2024}}</ref>
| Gurd (voice)
|-
|''[[Nimona (film)|Nimona]]''
| Nate Knight (voice)
|-
|''[[Trolls Band Together]]''
| Miss Maxine (voice)
|-
! scope="row" | 2024
|''[[Hitpig!]]''<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/peter-dinklage-lilly-singh-rainn-wilson-rupaul-hannah-gadsby-dany-boon-voice-animated-movie-hitpig-1234601710/|title='Hitpig': Peter Dinklage, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby & Dany Boon To Voice Animated Movie|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124123614/https://deadline.com/2020/10/peter-dinklage-lilly-singh-rainn-wilson-rupaul-hannah-gadsby-dany-boon-voice-animated-movie-hitpig-1234601710/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Polecat (voice)
|-
|}

===Short films===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 1983
| ''The Blue Boy Terror'' ||
|-
| ''Wild Thing'' ||
|-
| ''Terror II'' ||
|-
! scope="row" | 1984
| ''Terror 3D'' ||
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 1986
| ''Mahogany II'' ||
|-
| ''Psycho Bitch'' ||
|-
| ''American Porn Star'' ||
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1987
| ''Voyeur'' ||
|-
| ''Police Lady'' ||
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 1989
| ''Cupcake'' ||
|-
| ''Vampire Hustlers'' ||
|-
| ''Beauty'' ||
|-
! scope="row" | 1997
| ''Shantay'' || Shantay
|-
! scope="row" | 1999
| ''Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World'' || Daryl.com
|-
! scope="row" | 2004
| ''Skin Walker'' ||
|-
! scope="row" | 2006
| ''[[Zombie Prom#Zombie Prom (2006 Short Film)|Zombie Prom]]'' || Delilah Strict
|-
! scope="row" | 2008
| ''How We Got Over'' ||
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
| ''Ru's Angels''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/08/rupauls-drag-race-charlies-angels-crossover-video/|title=Kristen Stewart, Charlie's Angels fight evil with RuPaul's Drag Race queens in new short film|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=November 10, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044350/https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/08/rupauls-drag-race-charlies-angels-crossover-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> || Bos-Slay
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
! scope="row" | 1988
| ''[[The Gong Show]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
|
|-
! scope="row" | 1993
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Guest star, episode: "[[Charles Barkley]]/[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]"
|-
! scope="row" | 1994
| ''[[Sister, Sister (TV series)|Sister, Sister]]''
| Marje
|
|-
! scope="row" | 1995
| ''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]''
| Kevin
|
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1996–98
| ''[[The RuPaul Show]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Presenter, 100 episodes
|-
| ''[[Nash Bridges]]''
| Simone Dubois
| 2 episodes
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 1998
| ''[[Hercules (1998 TV series)|Hercules]]''
| Rock Guardian
| Episode: "Hercules and the Girdle of Hyppolyte"
|-
| ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina, the Teenage Witch]]''
| The Witch Judge / Hair Dresser
| Episode: "Sabrina's Choice"
|-
| ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]''
| Bob
| Episode: "Royal Heist"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2001
| ''[[Popular (TV series)|Popular]]''
| Sweet Honey Child
|
|-
| ''[[Port Charles]]''
| Madame Alicia
|
|-
| ''[[Weakest Link (U.S. game show)|Weakest Link]]''
| Himself (in drag)
|
|-
! scope="row" rowspan= "2" | 2002
| ''[[Son of the Beach]]''
| Heinous Anus
| credited as RuPaul Charles
|-
| ''[[The Groovenians]]''
| Champagne Courvoisier
| TV pilot
|-
! scope="row" |2006
|''[[Top Chef]]: San Francisco''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brett |first1=Martin |title=Top Chef: The Cookbook: Original Interviews and Recipes from Bravo's Hit Show |date=2008 |publisher=Chronicle Books LLC |location=San Francisco, California 94107 |isbn=978-0811875226 |page=52 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jQ4JLituzAC |access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>
|as herself
|"Food of Love." On Bravo. (March 15, 2006).
|-
! scope="row" | 2008
| ''[[Project Runway]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Guest judge, Season 5, episode 6
|-
! scope="row" | 2009
| ''[[Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World]]''
| Tyler
|
|-
! scope="row" | 2009–present
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]''
| Himself (in and out of drag)
| Host and judge
|-
! scope="row" | 2010
| ''[[Ugly Betty]]''
| Rudolph
| Episode: "Chica and the Man"
|-
! scope="row" | 2010–12
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag U]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Host, judge and producer
|-
! scope="row" | 2012–present
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]''
| Himself (in and out of drag)
| Host and judge
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2013
| ''[[Happy Endings (TV series)|Happy Endings]]''
| Krisjahn
| Episode: "The Incident"
|-
| ''[[Life With La Toya]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
|
|-
| ''[[Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Guest performer: "Fashion!" alongside [[Lady Gaga]]
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2014
| ''[[The Face (U.S. TV series)#Season 2|The Face]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Guest judge<ref>{{cite web |date=April 2, 2014 |title=RuPaul to Appear on Next Wednesday's Episode of 'The Face'. |url=http://www.dragofficial.com/10/post/2014/04/rupaul-to-appear-on-next-wednesdays-episode-of-the-face.html |access-date=April 6, 2014 |website=DragOfficial.com |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407071142/http://www.dragofficial.com/10/post/2014/04/rupaul-to-appear-on-next-wednesdays-episode-of-the-face.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Mystery Girls]]''
| Emillo
| Guest star, episode: "Bag Ladies"
|-
| ''[[The Comeback (TV series)|The Comeback]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Guest star, episode: "Valerie Films A Pilot"
|-
! scope="row" | 2014–16
| ''[[Skin Wars]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Judge
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2015
| ''[[Harvey Beaks]]''
| Jackie Slitherstein
| Guest star, episode: "Harvey's Favorite Book"
|-
| ''[[Good Work (TV series)|Good Work]]''
| Host
|
|-
| ''[[Bubble Guppies]]''
| RuPearl
| Guest star, episode: "Costume Boxing"
|-
! scope="row" | 2016
| ''[[The Muppets (TV series)|The Muppets]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Episode: "Got Silk?"
|-
! scope="row" | 2016–17
| ''[[Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul]]''
| Host
|
|-
! scope="row" | 2016
| ''[[The Real O'Neals]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Episode: "The Real Thang"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="7" | 2017
| ''[[2 Broke Girls]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Episode: "And the Riverboat Runs Through It"
|-
| ''[[Animals.]]''
| Dr. Labcoat (out of drag)
| Episode: "Humans"
|-
| ''[[Girlboss (TV series)|Girlboss]]''
| Lionel
| Recurring role, 6 episodes
|-
| ''[[Then and Now with Andy Cohen]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
|
|-
| ''[[BoJack Horseman]]''
| Queen Antonia
| Episode: "Underground"
|-
| ''[[Broad City]]''
| Marcel
| 3 episodes
|-
| ''[[Adam Ruins Everything]]''
| Gil
| 2 episodes
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2018
| ''[[Drag Race Thailand]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
|
|-
| ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Season 15, episode 120
|-
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| Queen Chante (voice)
| Episode: "[[Werking Mom]]"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4" | 2019
| ''[[The Bravest Knight]]''
| Stanley the Big Bad Wolf (in drag)
| Two episodes<ref name="gallops">{{cite web |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/bravest-knight-gallops-back-to-hulu-with-8-new-eps/ |title='Bravest Knight' Gallops Back to Hulu with 8 New Eps |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=October 3, 2019 |website=[[Animation Magazine]] |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030083718/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/bravest-knight-gallops-back-to-hulu-with-8-new-eps/ |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The World's Best]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Judge
|-
| ''[[Grace and Frankie]]''
| Benjamin Le Day
| Guest star<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/grace-and-frankie-renewed-season-5-rupaul-jane-fonda-lily-tomlin-netflix-1202288438/|title='Grace And Frankie' Renewed For Season 5 On Netflix; RuPaul To Guest Star|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215192956/http://deadline.com/2018/02/grace-and-frankie-renewed-season-5-rupaul-jane-fonda-lily-tomlin-netflix-1202288438/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[RuPaul (talk show)|RuPaul]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Host
|-
! scope="row" |2019, 2021
| ''[[Last Week Tonight with John Oliver]]''
| Himself
| 2 episodes
|-
! scope="row" |2019–present
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race UK]]''
| Himself
| Host and judge
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"|2020
| ''[[AJ and the Queen]]''<ref name="queen">{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/rupaul-comedy-series-aj-and-the-queen-netflix-series-order-michael-patrick-king-1202388420/|title=RuPaul Comedy Series 'AJ And The Queen' Set On Netflix From Michael Patrick King|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=May 11, 2018|magazine=Deadline|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121055354/https://deadline.com/2018/05/rupaul-comedy-series-aj-and-the-queen-netflix-series-order-michael-patrick-king-1202388420/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Ruby Red
| Main role; co-creator and executive producer
|-
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Himself/host
| Episode: "RuPaul/[[Justin Bieber]]"
|-
! scope="row" | 2020–present
|''[[RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race]]''
| Himself (in and out of drag)
| Host and judge
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| ''[[The Price Is Right (American game show)#CBS primetime specials and series|The Price Is Right at Night]]''<ref name="Ramos"/>
| Himself
| Guest
|-
! scope="row" | 2020–present
| ''[[Canada's Drag Race]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Cameo (video message in every episode)
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| ''[[Muppets Now]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Episode: "Due Date"
|-
! scope="row" |2020–present
| ''[[Drag Race Holland]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Cameo (video message)
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| ''[[Earth to Ned]]''
| Himself (out of drag)
| Guest; Episode: "You Better Work, Ned"
|-
! scope="row" |2021–23
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under]]''
| Himself
| Host and judge<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/rupauls-drag-race-down-under-australia-new-zealand-world-of-wonder-1234675523/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Goes Down Under For Australia And New Zealand Edition|date=January 18, 2021|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|website=Deadline|access-date=January 18, 2021|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118170135/https://deadline.com/2021/01/rupauls-drag-race-down-under-australia-new-zealand-world-of-wonder-1234675523/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sim |first1=Bernardo |title=Michelle Visage reveals why RuPaul asked her to host Drag Race Down Under |url=https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/drag-race-down-under-michelle-visage-host-reasons-why |website=Out Magazine |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"|2021
| ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''
| Himself (guest host)
| 2 episodes
|-
| ''[[Chicago Party Aunt]]''
| Gideon (voice)
| 8 episodes
|-
| ''[[Drag Race Italia]]''
| Himself (guest)
| Season 1 episode 6
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2021–2022
| ''[[Amphibia (TV series)|Amphibia]]''
| Mr. X (voice)
| 4 episodes
|-
| ''[[Painted with Raven]]''
| Himself (guest judge)
| Episodes: "All That Sparkles", "Fairy Tale Ball"
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"|2022–present
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World]]''
| Herself (in and out of drag)
| Host and judge<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Mishti |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Drag Race announces UK All Stars edition – with a gag-worthy twist |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/21/drag-race-uk-versus-the-world/ |newspaper=[[Pinknews]] |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221093408/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/21/drag-race-uk-versus-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Drag Race Philippines]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Cameo (video message in every episode)
|-
| ''[[Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World]]''
| Himself (in drag)
| Cameo (video message in every episode)
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4"|2022
| ''[[Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway]]''
| Himself
| Star Guest Announcer (Series 18, Episode 1)
|-
| ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden]]''
| Himself
| Guest Star (Season 7, Episode 1080)<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2022 |title=Drag Queen Jubilee w/ RuPaul & Vanessa Bayer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUDH4W6XbdA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617144556/https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/6VO_GRo3zAbWF7ZhV_L75kpx7QMjhMXf/ |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=February 3, 2024 |publisher=[[CBS]] |series=The Late Late Show with James Corden |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| ''Celebrity Lingo''
| Himself
| Host<ref>{{cite web |last1=Duncan |first1=Charlie |title=Viewers react to RuPaul's new game show Celebrity Lingo |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/09/05/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-fan-reaction/ |website=Pink News |date=September 5, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |archive-date=September 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910220156/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/09/05/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-fan-reaction/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''The Tiny Chef Show''
| Announcer (voice)
| Main role
|-
! scope="row" | 2023
| ''[[The $100,000 Pyramid]]''
| Self – Celebrity Player
| Episode: "RuPaul vs [[Lauren Lapkus]] and [[Steve Schirripa]] vs [[Loni Love]]"
|-
! scope="row" | 2024
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars]]''
| Himself
| Host and judge
|}

===Music videos===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" | Artist
|-
! scope="row" |1989
|"[[Love Shack]]"
|Extra
|[[The B-52's]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
| "[[You Need to Calm Down]]"
| Himself
| [[Taylor Swift]]
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul}}

RuPaul has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for which he was inducted in 2018. In 2019 he became the first drag queen inducted into the [[California Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://watermarkonline.com/2019/12/20/rupaul-among-latest-inductees-to-california-hall-of-fame/|title=RuPaul among latest inductees to California Hall of Fame|first=Ryan|last=Williams-Jent|date=December 20, 2019|website=Watermark Online}}</ref> He has also won 14 [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], including 8 for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program|Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition program]]. This makes him the most awarded in the category as well as the most-awarded person of color in Emmy history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |date=September 20, 2021 |title=RuPaul makes Emmy history |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/19/entertainment/rupaul-emmys/index.html |access-date=July 9, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}</ref> His other notable accolades include a [[Tony Award]], two [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], four [[Canadian Screen Awards]], ten [[Critics' Choice Real TV Awards]], a [[Critics Choice Award|Critics' Choice Award]], four [[GLAAD Media Award]]s including the [[GLAAD Vito Russo Award]] in 1999, and five [[Producers Guild of America Awards]].

In 2020, a species of Australian [[soldier fly]] was named ''[[Opaluma rupaul]]''. The name was chosen in reference to the fly's "costume of shiny metallic rainbow colours." Other species described in the same article were named ''O. ednae'' (after fellow drag queen [[Dame Edna Everage]]) and ''O. [[wikt:fabulous|fabulosa]]''.<ref name="LW">{{cite journal |author1=Bryan D. Lessard |author2=David K. Yeates |author3=Norman E. Woodley |title=Opaluma Lessard & Woodley, gen. nov: a new genus of iridescent soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Australia, including seven new species |journal=[[Austral Entomology]] |date=August 2020 |volume=59 |issue=3 |pages=467–486 |doi=10.1111/aen.12485 |s2cid=221463567 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aen.12485 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916081534/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aen.12485 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web |author1=Hannah Ryan |title=RuPaul has a new namesake – and it's a fabulous, rainbow-colored fly |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/15/australia/rupaul-australian-fly-species-scli-intl-scn/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=September 16, 2021 |date=September 15, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916042339/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/15/australia/rupaul-australian-fly-species-scli-intl-scn/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Books ==
* {{Cite book |title=Lettin' It All Hang Out: An Autobiography |title-link=Lettin' It All Hang Out: An Autobiography |location=New York |publisher=Hyperion Books |date=June 1, 1995 |isbn=0-7868-6156-8 |oclc=31657240}}
* {{Cite book |title=Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style |title-link=Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style |location=New York |publisher=It Books |date=January 1, 2010 |isbn=9780061985836 |oclc=435421683}}
* {{Cite book |title=GuRu |title-link=GuRu |location=New York |publisher=Dey Street Books |date=January 1, 2018 |isbn=9780751573831 |oclc=1076520397}}
* {{Cite book |title=The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir |title-link=The House of Hidden Meanings |location=New York |publisher=Dey St |date=March 5, 2024 |isbn=9780063263901 |oclc=1388319009 |language=en-US}}

==See also==
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Fashion}}
* [[LGBTQ culture in New York City]]
* [[List of LGBTQ people from New York City]]
* [[List of number-one dance hits (United States)]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart]]
* [[NYC Pride March]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q705715|c=Category:RuPaul|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{official website}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{The Interviews name}}

{{RuPaul|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul|Awards for RuPaul]]
|list1 =
{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Reality Show Host}}
{{EmmyAward RealityHost}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:RuPaul| ]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
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[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Activists from Atlanta]]
[[Category:African-American drag queens]]
[[Category:African-American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:African-American male singer-songwriters]]
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[[Category:African-American television writers]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
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