Who Is RuPaul? [Paperback]

Learn how this Emmy-winning host, producer, and television personality became the world's most famous drag queen.

RuPaul Andre Charles always knew he was meant to be a performer. Even as a young child, he loved to dress up and imitate the glamorous women he saw on television. When he turned fifteen, he began studying theater in a performing arts school in Atlanta and never looked back. Ru developed his drag-queen personality and launched his career in the 1980s. He now hosts and judges the widely popular and long-running show RuPaul's Drag Race, which has raised the profile of the art of drag, and drag queens around the world.Nico Medina is the author of several Who HQ books, including What Was Stonewall?, Where Is Mount Everest?, Where Is Alcatraz?, Who Was Aretha Franklin?, and What Was the Ice Age?Who Is RuPaul?

 
On September 18, 2016, RuPaul made television history. (Or “herstory,” as Ru would say.)
 
A drag queen—-most commonly, a man who dresses up and performs as a woman—-had never won an Emmy until then. (Emmys are awards for excellence in TV programming, as chosen by the Television Academy.)
 
Backstage, RuPaul held back tears as he spoke about “all the kids who watch the show.” How it had helped them to “navigate their lives.”
 
The show he was talking about was RuPaul’s Drag Race. Ru is both the host and judge of the reality--competition show of drag queens from across the United States. The queens all share a passion for performing in drag and compete against one another for a cash prize and the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar.