About
"Everything I’ve learned, I learned from television. I used to watch The Mike Douglas Show after school and it taught me about jazz when he would have Ella and Sarah on... I learned how to find my tribe from Monty Python. I learned how to emcee a show from watching Cher and Diana Ross specials. And I learned how to articulate an esoteric idea from watching David Bowie. So everything I know, I learned from television."
In his one-hour interview, RuPaul Charles talks about his early life, and the influence shows like The Flip Wilson Show and Monty Python’s Flying Circus had on him. He recalls “finding his tribe” in Atlanta, and moving to New York City where he met Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who would be instrumental in his career. He discusses his big breakthrough, the song “Supermodel,” which got heavy airplay on MTV and won him a spot on The Arsenio Hall Show. Charles chronicles hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1, and hosting guests including Cher and Diana Ross. He recounts the creation of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and details the many aspects of the show that have made it a success. He concludes by discussing career achievements, and what he’s learned from television. Jodi Delaney conducted the interview on June 25, 2018 in Sylmar, CA.
Highlights
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on discovering drag, and being influenced by Flip Wilson's character "Geraldine"
RuPaul Charles on his breakthrough hit song "Supermodel"
RuPaul Charles on the catchphrases and tag lines of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on what he learned from television
RuPaul Charles on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his name; on realizing he was an artist and finding "his tribe" in Atlanta
On his first time on television, on the Atlanta public access show The American Music Show; on discovering drag, and being influenced by Flip Wilson's character "Geraldine"; on moving to New York City and meeting Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
On his breakthrough hit song "Supermodel"; on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother; on his message as a performer
On hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1; on the guests of The RuPaul Show including Cher and Diana Ross; on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
On how RuPaul's Drag Race came about; on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race; on the judges of RuPaul's Drag Race
On the catchphrases and tag lines of RuPaul's Drag Race; on the many hats he wears in the production of RuPaul's Drag Race; on the legacy of RuPaul's Drag Race and winning an Emmy for the show
On separating his public and private personas; on advice to aspiring television personalities and on career achievements; on what he learned from television; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Arsenio Hall Show, The
RuPaul Charles on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
RuPaul Charles on winning an Emmy for RuPaul's Drag Race
Flip Wilson Show, The
RuPaul Charles on discovering drag, and being influenced by Flip Wilson's character "Geraldine" on The Flip Wilson Show
RuPaul Show, The
RuPaul Charles on hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1
RuPaul Charles on the guests of The RuPaul Show, including Diana Ross and Cher
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on how RuPaul's Drag Race came about
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race, and their courage and vulnerability
RuPaul Charles on the judges of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the catchphrases and tag lines of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the many hats he wears in the production of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the legacy and message of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on winning an Emmy for RuPaul's Drag Race
Topics
Advice
RuPaul Charles on advice anyone starting out in the entertainment industry
Characters & Catchphrases
RuPaul Charles on the catchphrases and tag lines of RuPaul's Drag Race
Emmy Awards
RuPaul Charles on winning an Emmy for RuPaul's Drag Race
Fame and Celebrity
RuPaul Charles on separating his public and private personas
First Big Break
RuPaul Charles on his breakthrough hit song "Supermodel"
Historic Events and Social Change
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the legacy and message of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race, and their courage and vulnerability
RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
LGBTQIA+
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the legacy and message of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race, and their courage and vulnerability
RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
Pivotal Career Moments
RuPaul Charles on his breakthrough hit song "Supermodel"
Pop Culture
RuPaul Charles on his name
RuPaul Charles on separating his public and private personas
RuPaul Charles on the catchphrases and tag lines of RuPaul's Drag Race
Representation on Television
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the legacy and message of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race, and their courage and vulnerability
RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
Television Industry
RuPaul Charles on advice anyone starting out in the entertainment industry
Underrepresented Voices
RuPaul Charles on the pressures of being black and gay during the run of The RuPaul Show and on RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the legacy and message of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul Charles on the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race, and their courage and vulnerability
RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
Professions
Performers
RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
Genres
Game Shows
RuPaul Charles on hosting RuPaul's Drag Race
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
RuPaul Charles on hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1
Reality TV
RuPaul Charles on hosting RuPaul's Drag Race
Talk Shows
RuPaul Charles on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother
RuPaul Charles on hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1
People
Cher
RuPaul Charles on the guests of The RuPaul Show, including Diana Ross and Cher
Arsenio Hall
RuPaul Charles on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother
Diana Ross
RuPaul Charles on the guests of The RuPaul Show, including Diana Ross and Cher
Flip Wilson
RuPaul Charles on discovering drag, and being influenced by Flip Wilson's character "Geraldine" on The Flip Wilson Show