RuPaul

#RuPaul (November 17, 1960 – ): Born in #SanDiego from parents from Louisiana, RuPaul was named by his mother, adding “Ru” from roux (the base of gumbo and other creole stews and soups). Raised a #Catholic, RuPaul and his sister moved to #Atlanta when he was 15 to study performing arts. He eventually worked at the famed #PlazaTheatre in Atlanta, though struggling as a musician and filmmaker during the 1980s. Throughout the ’80s he worked in many clubs in the Atlanta area and on low-budget films until he reached national exposure dancing as an extra in the #B52s 1989 music video “Love Shack.” In the 1990s, RuPaul split time working in George clubs as well as in #NewYorkCity nightclubs (especially #ThePyramidClub). He appeared for many years in the New York drag event #Wigstock and even appeared in a documentary of the festival. In 1993, he recorded a dance/house album that featured the hit “Supermodel (You Better Work),” which peaked at 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. From there his fame shot through the roof with a modeling contract for #MACCosmetics, his own talk show on #VH1, appearances in the Brady Bunch movies (as Jan’s guidance counselor), and with multiple hits on the music charts. In 2009, #RuPaulsDragRace was launched, and the world of drag became far more mainstream than it ever was before. With 13 seasons of Drag Race, as well as numerous spin-offs in other countries, RuPaul continues to tell the story of LGTBQIA people through his show through vignettes of the individual drag racers. The show also is known for highlighting Ru’s latest music and other corporate sponsors. In 2018, RuPaul became the first drag queen to be honored with a #HollywoodWalkOfFame for contributions to the television industry. Throughout the show’s run, however, there has been a fair share of controversy from the #transgender community for troublesome terms used in the show. For these controversies, RuPaul has stated that he has evolved on some and continues to grow and be taught by “the kids,” as he refers to the younger generation.  #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs