RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960) is an American drag queen, television host, and entertainer widely considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the world. After growing up in San Diego and moving to Atlanta, he skyrocketed to fame with his 1993 hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)" and became the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign with MAC. He is best known for creating and hosting RuPaul's Drag Race (2009–present), which has spawned numerous international versions and spin-offs, earning him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018. Beyond television, he has released fifteen studio albums, appeared in films like To Wong Foo, and published four books, including The House of Hidden Meanings (2024). His groundbreaking career has earned him 14 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a spot on the Time 100 list in 2017, cementing his legacy as the "Queen of Drag".