RuPaul | Biography, Movies, TV Shows, & Facts - Britannica

Later albums and RuPaul’s Drag Race

RuPaul returned to the recording studio for the album Foxy Lady (1996), which he soon followed with the holiday release Ho Ho Ho (1997). Although he would not release another album until Red Hot (2004), RuPaul continued to appear in film and on television. He hosted a variety television program, The RuPaul Show (1997–98), was a frequent guest on talk shows, and took on minor acting roles.

Beginning in 2009, RuPaul hosted and coproduced RuPaul’s Drag Race, a reality television show that named “America’s next drag superstar.” The popular program was credited with reviving RuPaul’s flagging career, and he won Emmy Awards (2016–23) as the show’s host. RuPaul’s Drag Race also received the Emmy for best competition show (2018–21 and 2023). His eponymous talk show and a U.K. version of Drag Race both debuted in 2019.

Quick Facts In full: RuPaul Andre Charles (Show more) Born: November 17, 1960, San Diego, California, U.S. (age 65) (Show more) Awards And Honors: Emmy Award (2021) Emmy Award (2020) Emmy Award (2019) Emmy Award (2018) Emmy Award (2017) Emmy Award (2016) (Show more) On the Web: Fresh Air Archive - RuPaul (Jan. 07, 2026) (Show more) See all related content

RuPaul’s recordings from the early 21st century, which were often featured on the show, included Glamazon (2011), Born Naked (2014), Realness (2015), Butch Queen (2016), and American (2017). RuPaul also cocreated the TV series AJ and the Queen (2020), in which he played a drag queen traveling across the United States, accompanied by a 10-year-old girl; the comedy aired on Netflix. In 2024 RuPaul released the candid memoir The House of Hidden Meanings.

Access for the whole family! Bundle Britannica Premium and Kids for the ultimate resource destination. Subscribe

Tag » How Old Is Ru Paul