RuPaul: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Paula Abdul
• Right Said Fred
• Ace of Base

• Janet Jackson
• Madonna
• Freddie Mercury

• Joe Carrano
• Jimmy Harry
• Ray Charles
• Eric Kupper
• Larry Tee

Birth Name:

RuPaul Andre Charles

Born:

Nov 17, 1960 in San Diego, CA

Genres:

Disco Music, House Music, Rock Music, Club Dance Music, Dance Pop Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A major media presence thanks to his outgoing persona and campy theatrics, RuPaul was a popular attraction on '90s dancefloors as well, scoring several club hits with hi-NRG Euro-disco pop. Born Rupaul Andre Charles, he grew up in San Diego, learning fashion tips from his mother and three sisters. After some time spent in Atlanta as a used-car salesman, RuPaul moved to New York and grew interested in the Manhattan club scene of the '80s. By the early '90s, he had begun performing and signed a contract in 1991 with the hip-hop label Tommy Boy Records. Though RuPaul's debut album, Supermodel of the World was released in 1993, it failed to score with pop audiences until the following year, when the club success of the single "Supermodel (You Better Work)" carried over to a spot just outside of the Top 40. His duet with Elton John, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," also placed on the American charts but proved more successful in Europe, where the two co-hosted England's Brit Awards and RuPaul taped a popular Christmas special. He also appeared in two films, The Brady Bunch Movie and Spike Lee's Crooklyn; the exposure gained him his own show for VH1, The RuPaul Show. After moving to Rhino for his second album Foxy Lady, RuPaul scored in the clubs once again with the single "Snapshot."

- John Bush, All Music Guide