Rupaul Charles

RuPaul Charles is an Emmy-winning television host, producer, and cultural icon, recognized for his expansive influence in entertainment and unwavering dedication to LGBTQ+ visibility. After achieving international fame with his debut album Supermodel of the World in 1993 and its hit single ‘Supermodel (You Better Work),’ RuPaul Charles became a global icon in entertainment and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Prior to this, Charles made a notable appearance dancing in The B-52s’ ‘Love Shack’ music video in 1989. His mainstream success continued with a groundbreaking spokesperson role for MAC Cosmetics in 1995, becoming the first drag queen to secure a major cosmetics campaign.

In 1996, he launched The RuPaul Show on VH1, airing over 100 episodes, featuring celebrity interviews and musical acts, co-hosted by Michelle Visage. Charles further expanded his musical catalog with albums such as Foxy Lady (1996), Ho Ho Ho (1997), and Red Hot (2004). In 2009, Charles created and began hosting the reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race, which quickly became a global phenomenon with numerous international spin-offs. The show has earned him multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host, establishing him as the most awarded Black artist in Emmy history, with his first win in 2016.

with Michelle Visage in 2014. He also launched Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul in 2016. In 2017, he released the album Remember Me: Essential, Vol. 1 and was recognized on the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people.

With fifteen studio albums and appearances in over 50 films and television shows, Charles actively participates in events like RuPaul’s DragCon. He continues to champion LGBTQ+ rights and voter registration through various initiatives, solidifying his role as a transformative cultural figure.