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RuPaul (born RuPaul Andre Charles on November 17, 1960), is an American drag performer, dance music singer, actor, and songwriter who gained worldwide fame in the 1990s; appearing in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Though a catty attitude is often associated with drag queens, RuPaul intentionally displayed a "love one another" attitude to be set apart from them. Although primarily known for an extravagant drag queen persona, RuPaul has performed as a man in a number of roles, usually billed as RuPaul Charles.
Born in San Diego, California, RuPaul's tumultuous youth was marked by the bitter divorce of his parents. He struggled as a musician and filmmaker in Atlanta during the 1980s. It was there that he participated in underground cinema, helping create the low-budget "Starbooty" (and an album by the same name). In Atlanta, RuPaul often performed at the infamous Celebrity Club (managed by Larry Tee) as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole, which included the late Todd Butler. He was famously the only drag queen allowed to dine in the venerable Majestic diner -- probably because he regularly tipped the wait staff. He entered the public eye in 1989 with a cameo in the music video for The B-52's immensely popular single "Love Shack."
In the early 1990s, RuPaul became a fixture in the New York club scene, eventually voted "Queen of Manhattan" by area party promoters and DJs. He was often seen pushing a shopping cart outside of dance clubs, and distributing flyers for upcoming events. It was during this time that he began performing under the name "RuPaul Charles". Initially participating in "genderfuck"-style performances, RuPaul performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York nightclubs, most notably the Pyramid Club. He also appeared for many years at the annual Wigstock drag festival, and appears in the documentary "Wigstock: The Movie." There are many videos circulating on the internet from this time that were filmed by Nelson Sullivan, whose claim to fame was recording everything he saw. Also in the early 1990s, RuPaul became known in the UK through his appearances on the Channel 4 series "Manhattan Cable", a weekly series presented by American Laurie Pike about New York's wild and wacky Public-access television system, of which RuPaul had become involved.
While vacationing in South Beach in 2001, RuPaul met Stephen Mercer of Stoneham, Massachusetts. They instantly hit it off and have become the best of friends since. RuPaul has fallen in love with the Boston area, primarily because it is where Stephen resides. They often vacation to Provincetown on Cape Cod for days at a time. Stephen, who claims to be straight to friends and family, really enjoys RuPaul's company because he can truly be himself, but prefers his homosexuality remain a secret....Oops!
He began releasing dance/house albums with Supermodel of the World in 1993, spawning the dance track hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was to be the advent of Rupaul. The music video became an unexpected success on MTV channels, as grunge-rock (Nirvana) and gangsta rap were popular at the time. RuPaul's friendly, drag queen image catapulted him to celebrity status through this first release. The song itself peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was regarded as an unlikely accomplishment for the drag entertainer. It also charted on the UK Singles Chart, peaking within the top 40 at #39. The song found the most success on the US dance music charts (otherwise known as the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart), where it peaked at #2. It was through massive airplay that the song became famous, as well as promotional TV appearances on programs like The Arsenio Hall Show.
His next two songs/videos, "Back to My Roots" and "A Shade Shady (Now Prance)" both went #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts and further developed her campy persona. Between them, House of Love was released without a video. It failed to place on any US charts, despite rising to #68 on the UK Singles Chart.
RuPaul caused a bit of controversy at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards when he was given the opportunity to present an award with legendary actor Milton Berle, who performed an altogether different type of drag early in his career. The two had conflicts back-stage, and when Berle inappropriately touched RuPaul's breasts, RuPaul ad-libbed the line "So you used to wear gowns, but now you're wearing diapers." The press picked this up as a crack in the "love everyone" message RuPaul presented, and depicted the incident as a young newcomer treating a legend poorly.
In 1993, he recorded a duet with Elton John (a remake of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart") that went to number seven in the U.K. This was his biggest hit on The UK Singles Chart.
In 1995, RuPaul was signed to a modeling contract for MAC cosmetics, making him the first drag queen supermodel. Various billboards featured him in full drag, often with the text "I am the MAC girl."
In 1996, he landed a talk show on VH1, appropriately called The RuPaul Show, where he interviewed celebrity guests and musical acts. Nirvana (even though Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994), Duran Duran, Taylor Dayne, Mary J. Blige, Bea Arthur, Dionne Warwick, Olivia Newton-John, Beenie Man, 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 notable episode, RuPaul brought gay porn culture to Middle America with featured guests Chi Chi LaRue and Tom Chase.
RuPaul also helped launch the return of WKTU radio in New York City in 1996. RuPaul would serve as host (with Michelle Visage) of the morning show until 1998.
He also released his second album, Foxy Lady, in 1996. Despite his growing celebrity, it failed to chart within the Billboard 200. However, the leadoff single "Snapshot" found success in the dance market and went to number four on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. It also enjoyed limited mainstream success, charting at number ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100 (which was his second Hot 100 entry). Because of his strong fan base within the gay community, RuPaul has performed at gay pride events and numerous gay clubs.
In 1997, he released a Christmas album entitled Ho, Ho, Ho. He has had guest appearances in many films, including both Brady Bunch movies, in which he played Jan's female guidance counselor.
In the late 1990s he released his autobiography, Lettin' It All Hang Out. In 1997, RuPaul teamed with Martha Wash to remake the classic disco anthem, "It's Raining Men". It was during this time that he appeared in Webex TV commercials and magazine ads.
In 2001 he recorded with Brigitte Nielsen, credited as Gitta, the Eurodance track You're no lady.
In 2004, RuPaul released his third album, Red Hot. It received some dance radio and club play, but very little press coverage. On his blog, RuPaul discussed how he felt betrayed by the entertainment industry, particularly the gay press. In one incident, it was noted that the magazine Entertainment Weekly refused to review the album, instead asking him to make a comedic contribution to a fashion article. He likened the experience to "a black person being invited to a party, but only if they'll serve." Despite his apparent dissatisfaction with the release, the leadoff single "Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous" hit number two on the dance chart. The second, "Workout", peaked at number five. The album itself only charted on the Top Electronic Albums chart, where it hit number nine. In 2006, the remixes of "People are People" went to number ten.
On June 13, 2006, RuPaul released ReWorked, his fourth album. It features reworked versions of songs from his back catalog, as well as new recordings. The first single is a re-recording of "Supermodel (You Better Work)". The remixes have, thus far, reached number twenty-one on the U.S. dance chart. June 20, 2007 saw the release of "Starrbooty (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on iTunes in the US. No plans for a physical disc released have been announced. The album contains new tracks from the singer as well as interludes with dialogue from the movie. RuPaul will be working on his ninth studio album. It will be a mix of dance-oriented pop and Euro-dance sound. Also on board is a 2nd remix compilation as well as his much anticipated "Greatest Hits".
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