spotlight
For the past quarter century or so, RuPaul Andre Charles has been teaching of time. That’s the thing that no one can prepare you for. I’m actually rooting for
us how to sashay-shantay down the street with attitude, to love one another all of them! Thousands applied and we narrowed it down to about 30. Then the
and—most importantly—to salute our own individuality. But after building up network chose the remaining nine. I wanted all 30 to get in, maybe we’ll get them
a wildly festive career, achieving most of her aspirations and cementing a proud all in if we get another season!”
legacy of artful entertaining that few have ever dared to question, a poetic sense The show’s title clearly defines this as a potentially fierce scratch-match. There
of irony has inspired “Ru” to pass her sequined torch to a new generation of per- must have been at least a few times when the incredible tension caused things to
formers. get out of even the most well-manicured hand.
Girl, pass the Aquanet! The muddied realm of reality television has needed “I couldn’t believe how many times bombs were dropped while the cameras
a makeover for quite some time. Offering her talent for renewal and stylish were rolling,” recalled RuPaul. “Mouths open, it was like, ‘What!? Crazy!’ But it does
signature glam, RuPaul serves up two decadent treats for her loyal fan base: an make for good TV!”
upcoming dance-pop album and a sure-to-please TV show to air on Logo called Recently, Ru has been invited to make a great deal of TV appearances. From
RuPaul’s Drag Race. No, the contestants weren’t forced to drive down a speedway being a guest judge on Project Runway to helping Paula Deen make brownies and
in platforms and bling, but they definitely had to prove themselves as queens strut her stuff on Paula’s Party, RuPaul is always a cool character. But sometimes
with class in order to succeed RuPaul as the country’s top drag headliner. the shows’ demands put the diva’s abilities to the test, while other times she’s
“Oh, it’s lonely at the top, David,” Laughed RuPaul. “I need some people to play carried away by the joy of the moment.
with! You know, in all these years, no one’s really come for my throne. No one! On “The Project Runway thing really prepared me for my show because that
one level, that’s great because I’m still on top. But on another level, no competi- 10-minute appearance took seven friggin’ hours to record! Seven!!,” exclaimed
tion makes it a dull race! We wanted to bring it back and reintroduce drag to the RuPaul. “Even though we’re sitting down and not having to stand on high-heels,
fresh young eye.” that’s pretty difficult. It’s difficult to stay focused for seven hours. And then Paula
According to RuPaul, the show’s concept was pitched to several different Deen is just brilliant, oh my God! I love that woman. I jumped at the opportunity
“In my life and in my career, the biggest challenge has been not with
other people; it’s really been with myself.” – RUPAUL
networks, but when it was presented to Logo, the representatives bought it in to appear with her on TV. But then I still forgot to ask the question I wanted to ask,
the room—a move that corporations rarely ever make. “Usually there’s some which was, ‘How do you cook while wearing your jewelry? Is there, like, cookie
back-and-forth stuff, but from the very beginning [Logo] said, ‘We want to do this dough in your diamonds?’ I didn’t get to ask because we were having so much fun.”
show!’ Being in the business for so long, to have something like this met with such As for the winner of Drag Race, the young starlet will be crowned America’s next
enthusiasm from the other side is just brilliant.” Drag Queen Superstar and she’ll go on a performance tour to blast off her new
The brilliance certainly doesn’t stop there. Sending a hot new wave of drag per- career—and hopefully to promote a new season of such delightful debauchery.
formers down the runway and capturing every scintillating moment on camera For a brand new show, Drag Race definitely sported a full complement of star
are tasks fit only for those who possess the greatest personal discipline. In a move power on its judge’s panel. The list includes Tori Spelling, Debra Wilson, Michelle
that some would call a conflict of interest, RuPaul plays a dual role as …herself! Williams of Destiny’s Child and Robin Antin from the Pussycat Dolls among many
From the breakdown of each episode’s challenge to the final judgment hour, Ru is others! “We had a lot of great people,” remembered RuPaul. “People who are im-
present for every snag, spat and flare-up. The thing is, the high heels only come on age makers and star makers—people who really know their stuff. We had judges
after prep time is over and it’s time to arbitrate at the judge’s table. Out of drag, Ru who were definitely qualified to judge the girls. The criteria for the girls to win
is on hand as a mentor and alleviator of tensions. But when the couture goes on the challenges really had to do with following my own career and being able to
and the MAC foundation is applied, the show’s nine contestants will have to put conduct an interview, make an entrance, put on a show, perform, write, work well
aside any distractions or disagreements and shine in four key categories of classic with others, etc.”
drag: charisma, nerve, uniqueness and talent. To guide them in one persona and One would think that even the smartest mouth would know when to back off,
judge them in another can’t be easy. given the star-status of the panel members, but apparently there was a healthy
“All the contestants chosen are showgirls from around the United States,” flow of backtalk toward the judges nonetheless.
explained RuPaul. “These are girls who work in clubs for a living. But it made it very “Oh yeah there was! One girl in particular,” laughs Ru. “She was very, very sassy
difficult to have to eliminate them because they’re all professionals. They’re all and she got put in her place a few times by the judges. But we all understand what
great.” There’s a great diversity among the girls’ looks, demeanors and artistic flair. that’s about. When a person is scared, a lot of times they behave a certain way. I
But the most surprising revelations were made by the contestants themselves. know I’ve done it. I’ve been put in a position where I’ve come out swingin’ so we
Similarities among their lives’ struggles strengthened the bonds between them. all understood it.”
Despite the inevitable drama that usually accompanies competitions of this Speaking of pulse-raising forces, Ru’s single “Cover Girl” from the new album,
ferocity, the girls now resemble a family. Champion, brings back the strong, classic dance beat. The show’s theme song,
“Definitely,” agreed RuPaul. “I was prepared to go in there and judge, have to also from the new album, offers a taste of RuPaul’s favorite energetic style with a
eliminate people and do all the things that a reality show calls for, but I was not twist—a different version of the show’s intro song will be available on Champion
prepared for how emotionally attached I got to the girls in such a short amount upon its release in April.
62 RAGE monthly | FEBRUARY 2009
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