RuPaul (born RuPaul Andre Charles on November 17, 1960) is an American drag performer, dance music singer, actor, and songwriter who gained fame in the 1990s; appearing in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Though a catty attitude is often associated with drag queens, RuPaul intentionally displayed a "love one another" attitude to be set apart from them. Although primarily known for an extravagant drag queen persona, RuPaul has performed as a man in a number of roles, usually billed as RuPaul Charles.
Born in San Diego, California, RuPaul's youth was marked by the divorce of his parents at the age of seven. He struggled as a musician and filmmaker in Atlanta during the 1980s. It was there that he participated in underground cinema, helping create the low-budget Starbooty (and an album by the same name). In Atlanta, RuPaul often performed at the infamous Celebrity Club (managed by Larry Tee) as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole, which included the late Todd Butler. He was famously the only drag queen allowed to dine in the venerable Majestic diner -- probably because he regularly tipped the wait staff.
