RuPaul's new memoir, "The House of Hidden Meanings," is being marketed as a chance to see the pop culture icon in a new light, but the text reveals a self-absorbed narrative that contradicts RuPaul's image as a champion of the marginalized. The memoir portrays RuPaul as someone who wanted to become famous and eventually did, but lacks the unique insight into life that his brand tries to convey.
RuPaul discusses his new memoir, "The House of Hidden Meanings," in which he opens up about his challenging upbringing, road to fame, and the impact of television on his life. From a tense household to living on the streets and battling drug dependency, RuPaul's journey is a testament to perseverance and self-discovery. The memoir also delves into his experiences with therapy, the early days of his entertainment career, and the success of "RuPaul's Drag Race." RuPaul hopes his memoir will inspire young people to navigate life's challenges and find their own truth.
RuPaul's Drag Race wins Best Reality Competition Program at the 2024 Emmys, marking its fifth win in the category and bringing its total to 29 Emmys and 63 nominations. RuPaul, the most awarded host in Emmy's history, used the acceptance speech to champion Drag Story Hour, a children's library event that promotes diversity and education, and has been targeted by far-right groups. Created in 2015, Drag Story Hour features drag queens reading to kids and has seen spinoffs worldwide.
RuPaul used his Emmy acceptance speech to defend drag performers reading in libraries, urging people to listen to drag queens and emphasizing the power of knowledge. RuPaul's Drag Race won the Emmy for Outstanding Competition Program, marking its sixth win since 2018. Succession and The Bear dominated the 75th Emmy Awards, with Succession winning Best Drama Series and actors Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin taking home acting trophies. Additionally, RuPaul won Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, bringing his total Emmy wins to 16.
Niecy Nash wins best supporting actress at the 2024 Emmys and delivers a powerful speech, paying tribute to Black and brown women. Ayo Edebiri and Quinta Brunson also make history with their wins, while RuPaul encourages the audience to listen to drag queens. GLAAD accepts the Governors Award and emphasizes the importance of trans visibility on screen.
Will Smith reportedly turned down a cameo appearance by RuPaul on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in the 1990s, with the actor citing concerns about his image. The idea was proposed by one of the show's co-executive producers, but Smith rejected it, stating that it would be a bad idea. While RuPaul missed the opportunity to appear on the show, she later featured Will Smith's daughter Willow's song on "RuPaul's Drag Race." It is suggested that RuPaul could still have Will Smith as a guest judge on her show.
Will Smith reportedly refused to have RuPaul make a cameo appearance on his popular sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, according to executive producer David Steven Simon. Despite rarely rejecting ideas, Smith called the suggestion a "bad idea" and repeatedly refused, possibly due to concerns about protecting his image. The incident occurred in the early '90s when both Smith and RuPaul were rising stars.
RuPaul interrupts the Drag Race All Stars 8 workroom to give a sermon on not letting emotions sabotage the opportunity to perform on the greatest stage in the world. The queens take the advice to heart and deliver a successful improv challenge. The off-script moment injects new life into a season that has been getting stale among fans.
RuPaul intervened in a tense moment on Drag Race All Stars 8 when Kahanna Montrese threatened to quit the competition. Mama Ru scolded the queens with tough love, reminding them not to let their feelings sabotage their experience in life. Kahanna stayed in the competition but landed in the bottom for the fourth time and was ultimately sent home.
RuPaul gave a tour of his Beverly Hills mansion for Architectural Digest's Open Door series, showcasing a disco room with 26 silver and black mirror balls, a Hollywood Regency Dorothy Draper-inspired fireplace, and portraits of iconic music and disco faces. He also revealed his two giant closets, one for menswear and the other for his drag costumes, which he renovated from two bedrooms. The closets feature racks of clothing organized by color, floor-to-ceiling displays of handbags and shoes, and a crystal chandelier. Despite his luxurious home, RuPaul prefers small intimate gatherings over lavish parties.
RuPaul's house, featured in an Architectural Digest tour, is a black-and-white patterned wonderland with pops of bright orange. The two-bedroom-sized menswear closet is filled with more fabulousness than most people accrue in their entire lives, and there's an entirely separate drag closet. RuPaul seems to be able to name the person who designed every chair, tile, and lightbulb, and the bright orange accents are because of how the color makes RuPaul feel.
RuPaul and husband Georges LeBar open the doors to their newly decked-out Beverly Hills mansion, featuring grand airy rooms and neoclassical details dressed up in bold colors and maximalist glamour. The couple enlisted interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard to bring together punchy jet-black and white interiors throughout the home, with bursts of color found in jewel-toned velvet seating and lacquered furniture. The home also boasts two enormous walk-in closets, one dedicated solely to RuPaul's drag costumes, and a powder room outfitted in a green silk and gold leaf wallpaper featuring his own profile in a variety of wigs.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has advertised a new drag queen teddy bear, the "RuPaul Bear," pre-customized in drag to honor popular drag-themed reality show "RuPaul’s Drag Race." The bear is listed at $56 and could come as part of a gift set for $8 more, which included some "Online Exclusive Gold Strap Heels" to put on the bear. The product has sparked controversy as it is being advertised on the main page of Build-A-Bear’s child-friendly online store, though it is located online in the store’s "Bear Cave," an adult-centric section – and not in the physical store.
