Interview: RuPaul, Unwigged

Who doesn't love RuPaul?

Even so, if you'd told me even three years ago that one of the break-out new TV shows of the 2009 season would be a Project Runway-like search for America's next drag sensation called RuPaul's Drag Race, I would've said, "Um, right."

Having now interviewed RuPaul Charles, I suspect he might humbly say that he had very little to do with the show's unexpected success – that it was a question of timing or that drag queens were simply due for a pop culture resurgence.

But I happen to think the original Supermodel of the World, with her cheeky humor and positive energy, is the essential element in the show's break-out success.

So who is RuPaul Charles? We've seen his flawless drag persona for years, ever since his just-as-unexpected break-out into mainstream pop culture in the early 1990s. Over the years, we've also seen more of his gentler, kinder male persona – something the show cleverly uses as a Tim Gunn-like counterpart to the sometimes-blunter drag RuPaul, who acts as judge.

Knowing I was interviewing a bonafied pop culture phenomenon (twice over!), I was determined to try to get to the heart of the person behind the image.

Here's how I did:

AfterElton: How do you top the last season of RuPaul's Drag Race?
RuPaul: I’ve seen four of the shows so far and they far exceed the first season, not just in production value because we got a few coins, put up a few more sheets of Mylar, but the kids are – they’re a little bit more ambitious and kind of ruthless.

The first season, the kids were more diplomatic because they knew that they were representing drag in a genre that had been missing for, really, much of the Bush era. The second season kids have the advantage of having seen the first season, so they know the lay of the land and they know what they’re in for.

AE: So you think last year's behind-the-scenes drama affected this year?
RP: Oh, yeah, in fact there’s more drama this year actually. Because they’re not holding any punches. The first season they were very cordial, honestly. There were some little areas here and there, little touchy spots, but there’s more of that this year, and I think it has more to do with who the younger generation of drags – who they are.

It’s almost like they’re like L.A. drivers. They’re just like, this is mine. I’m going to get this. And if you can’t deal with it, you need to be doing something else.

AE: There's this idea that drag queens are prima donnas and that they’re bitchy. Do you ever worry you're reinforcing the negative stereotype of drag queens, or do you think the show is just about the individuals involved?
RP: No, it’s all about the individuals. This idea that we humans have that we can shape other people’s perceptions of us as a whole – that’s bullshit! People are always like, “What kind of impression is that going to make on kids?” F**k kids! They’ll make their own impression.

It’s not like you can shape what people are thinking. That is a misconception. We are presenting a show that is entertainment, [on which] people are allowed to be themselves. And that’s what’s interesting. I don’t want to see some whitewashed, candy-coated version of anything. It insults my intelligence.

In fact, if young people are watching, if straight – if Republicans are watching, that would insult their intelligence, too.

For years gay press has asked me about – do drag queens and gay pride parades really present an accurate depiction of what gay is? – and I’m like, “F**k you!” You know, people aren’t idiots. And if they are influenced by seeing a drag queen or Dykes on Bikes in a parade, then they need more help than what they’re getting.

AE: Ultimately it’s about telling the truth of who we are.
RP: Well, the truth of who we are is the truth of who everyone is. People are more similar than they are different from one another, and I don’t think it’s that important to really focus on our differences. It’s really more important to focus on the fact that we’re all the same. We really are.

Next Page! Those fabulous judges!