A Guide to RuPaul: Explore RuPaul’s Top Movies and Albums

Drag superstar RuPaul Charles (often called Mama Ru or just Ru) is an accomplished businessperson and performer best known as the host and star of his own Primetime Emmy Award-winning television show, reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race. RuPaul is an icon to the LGBTQ community and an inspiration to aspiring and professional drag queens everywhere. In addition to his many film and TV appearances, musical albums, and books, he is also the host of the podcast RuPaul: What’s the Tee?

Since 2009, RuPaul has been the star and host of the reality competition TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR).

• Premise: On the show, contestants lip-sync, walk runways, do celebrity impersonations, design and create custom outfits, compete in “snatch games,” and more—all to compete to be crowned as America’s next drag superstar in the season’s grand finale.
• Judges: RuPaul serves as the main judge of the show, alongside judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews, and guest judges such as Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and Pamela Anderson.
• Impact: The show also serves as a platform to highlight issues in the drag community; for instance, in RuPaul’s Drag Race season one, a contestant discussed their HIV-positive diagnosis. Drag Race has earned 39 Emmy nominations, has won 19 Emmys, and is credited with bringing drag culture into the mainstream, as well as the show’s many catchphrases, including “Shantay, you stay” and “Sashay away.”
• Drag divas: Fan-favorite drag divas from the show include Sasha Velour, Shangela, BenDeLaCreme, Alyssa Edwards, Katya, Denali, Bob the Drag Queen, Bianca Del Rio, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (Miss Vanjie), Jinkx Monsoon, LaLa Ri, Trixie Mattel, and Alaska.
• Spin-offs: Spin-offs or recaps of RPDR include RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Canada's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, The Pit Stop, and Whatcha Packin.’ Other popular drag queen shows and events include DragCon, Wigstock, Drag Queen Story Hour, and drag brunch events.

RuPaul has appeared in several TV shows throughout the years:

1. 1. Sister, Sister (1995): Sister, Sister was a 1990s American sitcom about twin sisters who were separated at birth and reunited as teens. RuPaul made a special guest appearance as Marjé, a boutique owner.
2. 2. Project Runway (2008): Before starring as a judge in the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul made an appearance as a guest judge in season five of Project Runway, a reality TV competition in which fashion designers compete for mentorships, prize money, and the opportunity to create their own fashion lines.
3. 3. RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009–present): RuPaul is the main judge and host of Drag Race, a reality competition show in which contestants compete to be crowned America’s next drag superstar.
4. 4. Skin Wars (2014–2016): RuPaul served as a regular judge for Skin Wars, a body-painting reality TV competition where contestants would decorate their bodies to compete for the trophy.
5. 5. The Simpsons (2018): RuPaul made a guest appearance on an episode of The Simpsons in 2018, serving as the voice of a character named Queen Chante in the episode, "Werking Mom."
6. 6. AJ and the Queen (2020): RuPaul starred in TV comedy-drama AJ and the Queen as Ruby Red, a down-on-her-luck drag queen who tours the country with her sidekick, AJ, a 10-year-old orphan. RuPaul also served as co-creator and executive producer of the show.

From Hollywood productions to indie projects, RuPaul has made appearances in many movies:

1. 1. RuPaul Is: Starbooty! (1987): Starbooty (sometimes spelled Star Booty or Starrbooty) is a low-budget film trilogy that marks the first time RuPaul made an appearance in a feature-length film. RuPaul stars as a model-turned-federal agent in the movie.
2. 2. Crooklyn (1994): RuPaul made an appearance in Spike Lee’s 1994 semi-autobiographical film, Crooklyn, as Connie the bodega woman.
3. 3. The Brady Bunch Movie (1995): A parody of the iconic American sitcom The Brady Bunch, the movie featured a cameo from RuPaul, who appeared in drag as Jan’s guidance counselor, Mrs. Cummings.
4. 4. Wigstock: The Movie (1995): In 1995, filmmaker Barry Shils made a documentary about Wigstock, an annual drag music festival held in New York City in the ’80s and ’90s. The film features footage from a major musical performance that RuPaul put on during the festival.
5. 5. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995): In this comedy film, John Leguizamo, Patrick Swayze, and Wesley Snipes played three drag queens on a road trip across America—RuPaul made a guest appearance as “Rachel Tensions.”
6. 6. But I'm a Cheerleader (1999): RuPaul played “formerly gay” character Mike in this 1999 cult classic, which told the story of a young lesbian whose parents send her to a conversion therapy camp in the hopes that she’ll learn to be heterosexual.
7. 7. Hurricane Bianca (2016): In 2016, drag queen Bianca Del Rio starred in this film about a man who gets fired from his teaching job for being gay and decides to cause mayhem as his drag persona, Bianca. RuPaul made a special appearance as weatherman RuStorm.
8. 8. Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts (2019): Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts is a documentary film about the life and career of Trixie Mattel, who rose to fame as a major drag performer after winning a season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

RuPaul has released 12 studio albums and many other smaller works, including remixes, soundtracks, and compilations. Here are a few of his most well-known albums:

1. 1. Supermodel of the World (1993): RuPaul’s debut studio album had several major hits that propelled him further into the celebrity spotlight, including “Supermodel (You Better Work),” which achieved Gold status, peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and enjoyed significant runs on MTV channels.
2. 2. Foxy Lady (1996): RuPaul’s follow-up to Supermodel of the World, Foxy Lady, reached number 15 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, with the successful singles “Snapshot, ” “A Little Bit of Love,” and a cover of the Diana Ross song “Work That Body.”
3. 3. Glamazon (2011)?: RuPaul’s Glamazon album features a combination of musical genres, including dance, R&B, hip hop, and electronic. The album debuted at number 11 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and featured singles like “Superstar” and “Click Clack (Make Dat Money).”
4. 4. Born Naked (2014): Born Naked, RuPaul’s seventh studio album peaked at number four on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and is RuPaul’s highest-charting album to date.
5. 5. Realness (2015): Realness peaked at number six on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and featured guest appearances and vocals from celebrities including Michelle Visage, Rebecca Romijn, and Lady Bunny.
6. 6. American (2017): One of RuPaul’s most recent albums, American, was released alongside the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and featured several popular singles, including “American” and “Kitty Girl.”

RuPaul has written three books:

1. 1. Lettin’ It All Hang Out: An Autobiography (1995): RuPaul first authored his life story in his own words in Lettin’ It All Hang Out, which combines autobiographical elements with how-to guides, including an entire chapter on beauty and makeover tips.
2. 2. Workin’ It!: RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010): RuPaul’s self-help book, Workin’ It!, is a combination of beauty tips and life wisdom, covering mindset, self-expression, makeup, and fashion.
3. 3. GuRu (2018): This book is a combination of autobiography and life guide, which he wrote to address the problems that LGBTQ+ youth face. During production, RuPaul worked on both a print and audiobook version of the title.

Learn self-expression and authenticity from RuPaul with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Find your inner truth to overcome hardship, gain confidence, and live your best life.