The Essential Rupaul

Book excerpt: The essential guide for fans of the most famous drag queen in the world. RuPaul--the most famous drag queen in the world, recording artist, cult television host, pop-cultural icon--is celebrated in this essential fan guide. Bursting onto the scene over two decades ago with the huge hit Supermodel of the World, RuPaul has been confounding critics to clear her own path over the many years since. Most recently, RuPaul has again become an unlikely pop-cultural icon by producing and starring in RuPaul's Drag Race--a reality television series that judges the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of the competing drag queens. Over seven seasons and numerous spin-off series (including All Stars and RuPaul's Drag U), RuPaul's Drag Race has become a cult global hit--fans know the catchphrases, the personalities, the catfights. The Essential RuPaul celebrates Ru's history (or herstory, as she frames it) and philosophy ("If you can't love yourself--how in the hell you gonna love someone else"), as well as profiling the most loved and reviled queens from her TV series. This is one for the true fans.