A Book A Week

On Friday nights at my home, you can usually find my husband and me glued to the TV, catching the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. This reality competition, hosted by the legendary drag queen RuPaul, is a joyous celebration of queer art, expression, and identity, making it not only culturally significant but also incredibly entertaining. RuPaul has mesmerized audiences for years with his drag persona, delivering a unique blend of humor and fantastical charm. Still, the man behind the supermodel has remained relatively veiled. In his memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, RuPaul extends an intimate invitation, offering readers a glimpse into his life and laying bare his soul. It gives us a chance to finally meet the authentic RuPaul.

RuPaul always stood out. As a young black boy in San Diego, he grappled with his queer identity in an era when such struggles weren't widely accepted. With his father intermittently present and his mother contending with her own emotional challenges, one thing was evident—RuPaul was destined for stardom. He reflects on the laughter he could evoke from his mother, who predicted his future fame. Despite the hardships, RuPaul embarked on a journey of self-acceptance, learning to embrace and express his true self.

The House of Hidden Meanings doesn't offer a current behind-the-scenes glimpse of RuPaul's life, and there's no mention of the reality show that has dominated his recent career. Instead, the memoir delves into RuPaul's coming-of-age narrative, unfolding alongside significant moments in queer history. As the emerging superstar shaped his identity as a drag performer within the punk scenes of Atlanta and New York, he also played a pivotal role in bringing queer art to the forefront.

In this deeply personal memoir, RuPaul candidly shares his story, steering clear of the glamorous façade of his current stardom. Listening to the audiobook, narrated by the author himself and provided by the publisher, I felt the passion, pride, and pain that underscored his life story. RuPaul confronts the hurdles he faced during his rise to celebrity, offering unfiltered accounts of his struggles with relationships, the challenges of the entertainment industry, and his battle with drug addiction. Ultimately, he discovered strength through his chosen family, self-acceptance, and confronting his demons. The telling of this story makes for an insightful and inspirational read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 19)

At my home, we have a weekly tradition of tuning into the latest episode of the Emmy-winning sensation RuPaul's Drag Race. Our Friday nights often revolve around this show, with both the regular seasons and the riveting All-Stars episodes taking center stage. For those who have yet to become acquainted with the program, it is a captivating competition among a group of drag queens. They take on diverse challenges each week, showcasing their prowess in design, comedy, and production. The lowest-scoring two queens from every challenge engage in a lip-sync showdown, with the loser bidding adieu to the competition. Beyond its commendable representation of LGBTQ+ performers, the show's ingenious fusion of reality show genres has remarkably captured a broad audience, earning it well-deserved critical acclaim. As RuPaul's Drag Race solidifies its place in the cultural lexicon, author Maria Elena Fernandez presents a captivating oral history of the show's inaugural decade within the pages of her book, aptly titled And Don't F&%K It Up.

Centered on the first ten seasons, the book delves into the early years of the show, chronicling its modest origins and gradual evolution into an Emmy-acclaimed sensation. The initial season's unassuming nature struck me profoundly. It was a testament to its low-tech beginnings. Guided by the same production company that propelled him to stardom, RuPaul's initial apprehension towards hosting a reality TV show was palpable. However, as he gradually warmed up to the concept, the production team faced their own challenge: navigating the uncharted waters of reality TV production. Although the debut season may not have possessed the polished veneer of its successors, it unquestionably laid the groundwork and established the blueprint for the program's transformation into the iconic spectacle it has become today.

And Don't F&%K It Up masterfully weaves the rich cultural tapestry of RuPaul's Drag Race, painting a vivid portrait through the authentic narratives of those who brought its magic to life. With a meticulous journey season by season, the book draws from interviews with an ensemble cast: the dedicated production team, charismatic contestants, tireless crew, discerning judges, and even celebrity admirers. This collective chorus of perspectives harmonizes into an intimate insider's panorama, replete with intriguing backstage anecdotes and revelations. The profound impact of the show on its participants and the wider drag community is staggering. Many former contenders have blossomed into accomplished drag performers, while the show itself has propelled the art form into mainstream consciousness. Amidst a backdrop of political discord and attempts to stifle this vibrant queer expression, RuPaul's Drag Race stands resilient—a potent antidote to intolerance. It serves as a weekly testament to embracing your authentic self and shunning societal expectations. As RuPaul's catchphrase eloquently puts it, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" 

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 51)