Editing RuPaul (section)

== Career ==

=== 1980–1995: Beginnings and ''Supermodel of the World'' ===
RuPaul struggled as a musician and filmmaker during the 1980s, working at Atlanta's [[Plaza Theatre (Atlanta)|Plaza Theatre]]. In 1982, he debuted on an Atlanta [[Public-access television|public access]] variety show called ''[[The American Music Show]]'', and went on to appear on the show frequently.<ref name="Autobiography" />{{rp|59}}<ref>{{cite web |date=May 17, 2013 |title=American Music Show (Television show) video recordings, 1981–2005 |url=https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/americanmusicshow1256/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616223150/https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/americanmusicshow1256/ |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=[[Emory University#Library system|Emory University Library]]}}</ref> He also took part in [[underground cinema]], helping create the low-budget film ''[[RuPaul Is: Starbooty!|Star Booty]]'' and an album of the same name. In Atlanta he often performed at the Celebrity Club, managed by [[Larry Tee]], as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2871900054.html |title=Rupaul 1960– |publisher=Encyclopedia.com ([[Thomson Gale]]) |first=Ellen Dennis |last=French |year=2005 |access-date=April 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123123203/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/RuPaul.aspx%231-1G2:2871900054-full |url-status=bot: unknown }} Additional [https://web.archive.org/web/20170429084235/http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/rupaul WebCitation archive] on March 10, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Robert Burke |title=Southern Belles, Latchkey Kids and Thrift-Store Crossdressers |url=http://bittersoutherner.com/southern-belles-latchkey-kids-and-thrift-store-crossdressers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623215100/http://bittersoutherner.com/southern-belles-latchkey-kids-and-thrift-store-crossdressers/#.WMLqGBIrIcg |archive-date=June 23, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |publisher=[[The Bitter Southerner]]}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/8qHKpF3dYv0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200503220337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qHKpF3dYv0&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |last=Nelson|first=Sullivan|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qHKpF3dYv0&t=6m15s |title=Going to Red Zone |date=September 13, 2011 |via=YouTube |quote=RuPaul, Lahoma and Larry Tee went to Red Zone to perform their disco act La Palace de Beaute. This video includes fabulous backup dancing by RuPaul and Lahoma.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> RuPaul also performed as a backup singer to [[Glen Meadmore]] along with drag queen [[Vaginal Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|title=What a Drag |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/09/01/what-a-drag-3/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=March 12, 2013|date=September 1, 1995| archive-date= April 24, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160424161541/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-09-01/entertainment/9509010298_1_new-york-dolls-angela-davis-glam| url-status=live}}</ref> His first prominent national exposure came in 1989, when he danced as an [[Extra (acting)|extra]] in the video for [[The B-52s]]' "[[Love Shack]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-b-52s-fred-schneider-on-rupauls-pre-fame-love-shack-cameo-he-got-the-line-dance-going-204218086.html|title=The B-52's' Fred Schneider on RuPaul's Pre-Fame 'Love Shack' Cameo: 'He Got the Line-Dance Going!'|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110113929/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-b-52s-fred-schneider-on-rupauls-pre-fame-love-shack-cameo-he-got-the-line-dance-going-204218086.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, RuPaul worked the Georgia club scene and was known by his full birth name. Initially participating in [[gender bender]]-style performances, he performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York City nightclubs, most notably the [[Pyramid Club (New York)|Pyramid Club]].<ref>Brian Butterick, Susan Martin, Kestutis Nakas (eds.) "We Started a Nightclub": The Birth of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge as Told by Those Who Lived It, Damiani Books, p. 59, 152 & 175</ref> He played opposite New York City drag performer [[Mona Foot]] (Nashom Benjamin) in the one-act science-fiction parody "My Pet Homo", written and directed by Jon Michael Johnson for Cooper Square Productions. He performed for many years at the annual [[Wigstock]] [[Drag (clothing)|drag]] festival and appeared in the documentary ''[[Wigstock: The Movie]]''. In the 1990s, RuPaul appeared on the UK [[Channel 4]] series ''Manhattan Cable'', a weekly series produced by [[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]] and presented by American Laurie Pike about New York's [[public-access television]] system.

In 1993, RuPaul recorded the dance/[[house music|house]] album ''[[Supermodel of the World]]''. It was released through the rap label [[Tommy Boy Entertainment|Tommy Boy]], spawning the dance track hit "[[Supermodel (You Better Work)]]". The song peaked at 45 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. It charted on the [[UK Singles Chart]], peaking on the top 40 at 39. The song found the most success on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart, where it peaked at 2. Radio airplay, heavy rotation of the music video on [[MTV]], and television appearances on popular programs like ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'' popularized the song. His next two singles/videos, "[[Back to My Roots]]" and "[[A Shade Shady (Now Prance)]]", both went to the top spot on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. His following release "[[House of Love (RuPaul song)|House of Love]]" failed to place on any U.S. charts but peaked at 68 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. In 1994, he released "[[Don't Go Breaking My Heart#Elton John and RuPaul version|Don't Go Breaking My Heart]]", a duet with Elton John.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Elton John – Duets |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/duets-mw0000107584 |access-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

RuPaul was signed to a modeling contract for [[MAC Cosmetics]]. Various billboards featured him in full drag, often with the text "I am the MAC girl". He also released his autobiography, ''[[Lettin' It All Hang Out]]''. He promoted the book in part with a 1995 guest appearance on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[All My Children]]'', in a storyline that put it on the set of [[Erica Kane]]'s talk show "The Cutting Edge". The same year, he was featured in his first of two appearances in the [[The Brady Bunch Movie|''Brady Bunch'' movies]], in which he played Jan's female guidance counselor.

=== 1996–2007: ''Foxy Lady'' and ''Red Hot'' ===
In 1996, he landed a talk show of his own on [[VH1]], called ''[[The RuPaul Show]]'' interviewing celebrity guests and musical acts. [[Cher]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Duran Duran]], [[Pat Benatar]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Bea Arthur]], [[Dionne Warwick]], [[Cyndi Lauper]], [[Olivia Newton-John]], [[Beenie Man]], [[Pete Burns]], [[Bow Wow Wow]], and the [[Backstreet Boys]] were notable guests. His co-host was [[Michelle Visage]] with whom he also co-hosted on [[WKTU]] radio. On one episode, RuPaul featured guests [[Chi Chi LaRue]] and [[Tom Chase]] speaking about the gay porn industry.

Later in the year he released his second album, ''[[Foxy Lady (RuPaul album)|Foxy Lady]]'', this time on the L.A.-based [[Rhino Records]] label. The album failed to chart on the ''Billboard'' 200. However, its first single "[[Snapshot (RuPaul song)|Snapshot]]" went to number four on the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart. It also enjoyed limited mainstream success, charting at 95 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, which was his second and final solo Hot 100 entry to date. The album's second single "[[A Little Bit of Love (RuPaul song)|A Little Bit of Love]]" was not as successful, peaking at 28 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. During this time, RuPaul hosted a morning radio show at [[WKTU]] radio in New York City and would serve as host until 1998.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=October 9, 2004 |title=Blue Back in The Mix at 'NEW |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014907/https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul#v=snippet&q=RuPaul&f=false |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |pages=50 |via=[[Google Books]] |volume=116 |issue=41 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

[[File:RuPaul by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|RuPaul in 2007]] 
In 1997, he released his third album, the Christmas-themed ''[[Ho Ho Ho (album)|Ho Ho Ho]]''. That year, RuPaul teamed with [[Martha Wash]] to remake the classic disco anthem, "[[It's Raining Men]]". The song was included on the 1998 compilation CD ''[[Rupaul's Go-Go Box Classics|RuPaul's Go Go Box Classics]]''. During this time, he appeared in [[Webex]] TV commercials and magazine ads. In 2002, he was featured on the [[Eurodance]] track "You're No Lady" alongside [[Brigitte Nielsen]].

In 2004, RuPaul released his fourth album, ''[[Red Hot (album)|Red Hot]]'' on his own RuCo Inc. music label. It received dance radio and club play, but very little press coverage. RuPaul later noted, "I don't know what happened. It seemed I couldn't get press on my album unless I was willing to play into the role that the mainstream press has assigned to gay people, which is as servants of straight ideals."<ref name="DS">{{Cite news |date=October 6, 2007 |title=RuPaul speaks about society and the state of drag as performance art |url=https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/RuPaul_speaks_about_society_and_the_state_of_drag_as_performance_art |newspaper=[[Wikinews]] |access-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105084758/https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/RuPaul_speaks_about_society_and_the_state_of_drag_as_performance_art |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Red Hot'''s lead single "[[Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous]]" peaked at number two on the dance chart. The second, "[[Workout (RuPaul song)|WorkOut]]", peaked at number five. The third and final single from the album "People Are People" a duet with Tom Trujillo, peaked at number 10. The album itself only charted on the [[Top Electronic Albums]] chart, where it hit number nine.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 9, 2004 |title=Billboard: Top Electric Albums |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=116 |issue=41 |pages=30 |issn=0006-2510 |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014907/https://books.google.com/books?id=qhMEAAAAMBAJ&q=RuPaul#v=snippet&q=RuPaul&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> In September, he was hired at [[WNEW-FM|WNEW]].<ref name=":0" />

On June 13, 2006, RuPaul released ''ReWorked'', his first [[remix]] album. The only single released from the album was a re-recording of "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which reached number 21 on the U.S. dance chart. June 20, 2007, saw the release of ''[[Starrbooty#Soundtrack|Starrbooty: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]'' in the United States. The single "Call Me Starrbooty" was digitally released in 2007. The album contains new tracks as well as interludes with dialogue from the movie. The film was released on DVD in October 2007.

===2008–2013: ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', ''Champion'', and ''Glamazon''===
[[File:Rupaul-2009 (cropped to collar).jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|RuPaul in 2009]]
In mid-2008, RuPaul began producing ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'', a reality television game show which aired on [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]] in February 2009. On the program drag queens compete to be selected by RuPaul and a panel of judges as "America's next drag superstar". The first season's winner was [[BeBe Zahara Benet]], and first runner-up [[Nina Flowers]] was chosen by fans as "Miss Congeniality" through voting via the show's official website. To publicize the new show, RuPaul appeared on several other shows in 2008, including ''[[Project Runway]]'', as guest judge, and on ''[[Paula's Party]]'' as a guest "chef".<ref>{{cite web |title=Project Runway Season 5 Good Queen Fun &#124; Bravo TV Official Site |url=http://www.bravotv.com/project-runway/season-5/good-queen-fun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208091237/http://www.bravotv.com/project-runway/season-5/good-queen-fun |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |publisher=[[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo TV]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diva Party : Paula's Party |url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/paulas-party/diva-party/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207232821/http://www.foodnetwork.com/paulas-party/diva-party/index.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |website=[[Food Network]]}}</ref>

In March 2009, RuPaul released the album ''[[Champion (RuPaul album)|Champion]]''. The album spawned four singles "[[Cover Girl (RuPaul song)|Cover Girl]]", "[[Jealous of My Boogie]]", "Devil Made Me Do It", and "Tranny Chaser". The album peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] as well as 26 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top Heatseekers]] chart. Logo's second annual [[NewNowNext Awards]] in 2009 were hosted by RuPaul. There he performed "Jealous of My Boogie (Gomi & RasJek Edit)". In March 2010, RuPaul released his second remix album, ''Drag Race'', the album features remixes of songs from the 2009 album ''Champion''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=RuPaul Andre |date=March 30, 2010 |title=Apple Music Preview: Drag Race |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drag-race/361093827 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602121920/https://music.apple.com/us/album/drag-race/361093827 |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |website=[[Apple Music]] }}</ref>

In April 2011, coinciding with the finale of season 3 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'', RuPaul released his sixth studio album ''[[Glamazon (album)|Glamazon]]'', produced by [[Revolucian]]. The album charted on ''Billboard's'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] and the ''Billboard'' [[Top Heatseekers]] chart at 11 and 8 respectively. In July 2011, he released another remix EP entitled ''SuperGlam DQ'' which features remixes of tracks from ''Glamazon'', remixes of the "''Drag U'' Theme Song", and a new song, "Sexy Drag Queen". The second season of ''[[RuPaul's Drag U]]'' began in June 2011. In late 2011, RuPaul made appearances on ''[[The Rosie Show]]'' and ''[[The Chew]]'', and also attended a ''Drag Race'' NY Premiere party at [[Patricia Field]]'s store in New York. Season 4 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' premiered on [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]] on January 30, 2012, with RuPaul returning as the main host and judge. In the fall of 2012, the spin-off ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 1|RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' premiered and featured past contestants of the previous four seasons. Season 5 of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' premiered on January 28, 2013. On April 30, 2013, he released "Lick It Lollipop" featuring [[Lady Bunny]].

In fall of 2013, RuPaul joined forces with cosmetic manufacturers Colorevolution to launch his debut make-up line featuring ultra-rich [[pigment]] cosmetics and a beauty collection. Released alongside the line was a [[unisex]] perfume entitled "[[Glamazon by Colorevolution|Glamazon]]". Talking to [[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]] he said: "Glamazon is for women and men of all ages and preferences who share one thing in common: They are not afraid to be fierce. For me, glamour should be accessible to all, and I am committed to helping the world look and smell more beautiful." The line was exclusively sold on the Colorevolution website in various gift sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldofwonder.net/rupauls-glamazon-limited-edition-makeup-fragrance/ |title=RuPaul's "Glamazon" Limited Edition Makeup and Fragrance Available Now! |publisher=World of Wonder |date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207000832/http://worldofwonder.net/rupauls-glamazon-limited-edition-makeup-fragrance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://colorevolution.com/category-Ru_Paul.html |title=Colorevolution Mineral Makeup&nbsp;— Ru Paul |publisher=Colorevolution.com |access-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121053954/http://colorevolution.com/category-Ru_Paul.html |archive-date=November 21, 2013 }}</ref>

=== 2014–2016: ''Born Naked'', ''Realness,'' ''Butch Queen'', and television expansion ===
[[File:RuPaul Trending Report 2015.jpg|left|thumb|RuPaul in 2015]]
On January 28, 2014 RuPaul released ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race season 6#Soundtrack|RuPaul Presents The CoverGurlz]]'', a collaborative album featuring new versions of RuPaul songs from 2009 to 2013. His seventh studio album, ''[[Born Naked]]'', was released on February 24, 2014, to coincide with the premiere of the 6th season of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race season 6|RuPaul's Drag Race]]''. ''Born Naked'' placed at number 4 on the US ''Billboard'' dance chart and 85 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. On April 9, 2014, RuPaul and [[Michelle Visage]] released the first episode of their podcast, ''[[RuPaul: What's The Tee?|RuPaul: What's the Tee? with Michelle Visage]]''. In August, he joined the reality competition show ''[[Skin Wars]]'' acting as a judge.

On March 2, 2015, RuPaul released his eighth studio album, ''[[Realness]]''. The release coincided with the premiere of the seventh season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. In April, he launched and began hosting a new show, ''[[Good Work (TV series)|Good Work]]'', a plastic surgery-themed talk show for [[E!]]. In October he released his second [[Christmas album]], and ninth studio album, ''[[Slay Belles]]''. The album contains ten original Christmas-themed songs and features collaborations with [[Michelle Visage]], [[Siedah Garrett]], [[Todrick Hall]], and [[Big Freedia]]. The album charted at 21 on the US ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance]] chart.<ref name="billboard.com">{{cite magazine |title=RuPaul&nbsp;— Chart history |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/369236/rupaul/chart?f=322 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604120238/https://www.billboard.com/artist/369236/rupaul/chart?f=322 |archive-date=June 4, 2015 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 }}</ref>

In January 2016, it was announced RuPaul would present a new game show for [[Logo TV]] called ''[[Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul]]'' which premiered on April 11, 2016, after ''RuPaul's Drag Race''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Logo Greenlights Two New Series Including RuPaul Game Show, Following Year-Over-Year Growth |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/logo-gay-for-play-game-show-rupaul-1201684468/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122309/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/logo-gay-for-play-game-show-rupaul-1201684468/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2016, he released his tenth album, ''[[Butch Queen]]'', just prior to the premiere of the [[RuPaul's Drag Race season 8|eighth season]] of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Avery |first=Dan |date=February 20, 2016 |title=Rupaul Announces New Album, "Butch Queen," Dropping March 7! |url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-announces-new-album-butch-queen-dropping-march-7/02/2016/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220094953/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-announces-new-album-butch-queen-dropping-march-7/02/2016/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |work=[[NewNowNext]]}}</ref> A song from the album, "U Wear It Well" was featured in the teaser campaigns for the season and was released as its first single. The album charted at number 3 on the US ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance]] chart.<ref name="billboard.com"/> "'Be Someone" featuring American singer [[Taylor Dayne]] was released as the album's second and final single. Additionally, ''[[Butch Queen|Butch Queen: The Ru-Mixes]]'' was released.

In July 2016, it was announced that RuPaul was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program]]. He was presented the award at the September [[68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards Ceremony]]. 2016 also saw the release of the single "Read U Wrote U" that features rap parts by the ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2'' finalists [[Roxxxy Andrews]], [[Katya Zamolodchikova]], [[Alaska Thunderfuck]], and [[Detox Icunt]] with production by [[Ellis Miah]].<ref name="miah">{{cite web |title=Read U Wrote U (Ellis Miah Mix) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Season 2] – Single by RuPaul |url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/read-u-wrote-u-ellis-miah-mix-feat-cast-rupauls-drag/1163061808 |publisher=iTunes Store |date=October 12, 2016 |language=en-ca |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210908/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/read-u-wrote-u-ellis-miah-mix-feat-cast-rupauls-drag/1163061808 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Further album releases, ''Drag Race UK'', ''AJ and the Queen'', and further TV shows ===
On February 3, 2017, RuPaul released the album ''[[Remember Me: Essential, Vol. 1]]''. It is a collection of new songs and remakes of RuPaul hits that feature new artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/06/rupaul-chats-about-reinventing-his-back-catalog-for-a-new-audience/|title=RuPaul Chats About Reinventing His Back Catalog For A New Audience|first=Hugh|last=McIntyre|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319201041/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/06/rupaul-chats-about-reinventing-his-back-catalog-for-a-new-audience/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two singles were released from the album: "Rock It (To The Moon)", and an updated version of RuPaul's 1996 single "Snapshot" from ''Foxy Lady''. The album debuted at number four on the ''Billboard'' Dance Albums Sales Chart in the United States and at number eleven on the UK Dance Albums Chart. On March 24, 2017, RuPaul released his eleventh studio album, ''[[American (album)|American]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/music/2017/3/22/rupaul-reclaims-core-american-values-political-new-album|title=RuPaul Reclaims Core 'American' Values With Political New Album|date=March 22, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143303/http://www.out.com/music/2017/3/22/rupaul-reclaims-core-american-values-political-new-album|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, the [[RuPaul's Drag Race season 9|ninth regular season]] of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' debuted on basic cable channel VH1. It moved from the expanded cable channel Logo TV which aired all previous seasons of the show. The season 9 premiere featured singer [[Lady Gaga]] as its guest judge and was a success, with ratings of nearly 1,000,000 viewers, making it the series' most viewed episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-ratings-records-1-million-viewers-season-9-premiere-vh1-1202053113/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Draws Nearly 1M Viewers In VH1 Debut|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420193030/https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-ratings-records-1-million-viewers-season-9-premiere-vh1-1202053113/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 9, 2017, ''[[Essential, Vol. 2]]'' was released. It was preceded by the single "Crying on the Dance Floor", a re-recording of the 2010 single "Main Event" from ''[[Champion (RuPaul album)|Champion]]''. On March 16, 2018, RuPaul received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for his contributions to the television industry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/23/entertainment/hollywood-walk-fame-2018/index.html |title=Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2018 revealed |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104813/https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/23/entertainment/hollywood-walk-fame-2018/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first drag queen to be given the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-hollywood-walk-of-fame|title=RuPaul Is the First Drag Queen to Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=March 17, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318054608/https://www.vogue.com/article/rupaul-hollywood-walk-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul released his third Christmas album in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/2018/8/29/ho-ho-ho-rupaul-releasing-new-christmas-album|title=Ho Ho Ho: RuPaul is Releasing a New Christmas Album|date=August 29, 2018|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181935/https://www.out.com/entertainment/2018/8/29/ho-ho-ho-rupaul-releasing-new-christmas-album|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:RuPaul at Dragcon 2019 by dvsross.jpg|thumb|At [[RuPaul's DragCon LA]] 2019]]

In June 2019, the daytime talk show ''[[RuPaul (talk show)|RuPaul]]'' premiered. It was cancelled after a three-week test run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-talk-show/04/2019/|title=RuPaul Gets His Oprah On in First Clip From His New Daytime Talk Show|last=Rudolph|first=Christopher|date=April 2, 2019|website=[[NewNowNext]]|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402230008/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-talk-show/04/2019/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hollywoodrep">{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=January 2, 2020|title=RuPaul Daytime Talk Show Not Moving Ahead at Fox Stations|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rupaul-daytime-talk-show-not-moving-at-fox-stations-1266055|access-date=January 6, 2020|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103040901/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rupaul-daytime-talk-show-not-moving-at-fox-stations-1266055|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[You Need to Calm Down]]" music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-parties-with-katy-perry-ellen-more-in-new-you-need-to-calm-down-video-watch/|title=Taylor Swift Parties With Katy Perry, RuPaul, More in New "You Need to Calm Down" Video: Watch|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=June 17, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618004816/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swift-parties-with-katy-perry-ellen-more-in-new-you-need-to-calm-down-video-watch/|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2019, the [[RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 1)|first season]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race UK]]'' was released on [[BBC3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/rpdr-judges|title='Graham Norton and Alan Carr confirmed as celebrity judges for RuPaul's Drag Race UK – series to air on BBC Three in 2019|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=December 8, 2019|language=en|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722001947/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/rpdr-judges|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tg-ukrpdr">{{cite news |last1=Bromwich |first1=Kathryn |title=Fierce competition: how a Brit makeover saved RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/22/fierce-competition-how-a-brit-makeover-saved-rupauls-drag-race |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=November 22, 2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155433/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/22/fierce-competition-how-a-brit-makeover-saved-rupauls-drag-race |url-status=live }}</ref> It was renewed for a [[RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2)|second season]] which was released in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ashurst|first1=Sam|title=RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 audition, casting air date, trailer and everything you need to know|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a30079234/rupauls-drag-race-uk-season-2-audition-casting-air-date-trailer/|website=Digital Spy|access-date=December 5, 2019|date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508003115/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a30079234/rupauls-drag-race-uk-season-2-audition-casting-air-date-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul also created and starred in the [[Netflix]] drama-comedy show ''[[AJ and the Queen]]'', which was released on January 10, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shows A-Z – AJ and the Queen on Netflix |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/aj-and-the-queen/listings/ |access-date=March 22, 2020 |work=TheFutonCritic.com |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014910/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/aj-and-the-queen/listings/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 6, 2020, Netflix announced that the series had been cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.yahoo.com/aj-queen-cancelled-netflix-163654199.html|title=AJ and the Queen Cancelled at Netflix|date=March 6, 2020|first=Andy|last=Swift|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322064837/https://money.yahoo.com/aj-queen-cancelled-netflix-163654199.html|url-status=live}}</ref> RuPaul hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on February 8, 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/21/rupaul-hosting-saturday-night-live/|title=RuPaul to host Saturday Night Live for the first time|date=January 21, 2020|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627014748/https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/21/rupaul-hosting-saturday-night-live/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 11, RuPaul made an appearance on ''[[The Price Is Right (American game show)#CBS primetime specials and series|The Price Is Right at Night]]''.<ref name="Ramos">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/rupaul-price-is-right-at-night-primetime-special-cbs-drew-carey-1202924735/|title=RuPaul Sashays Into 'The Price Is Right At Night' Primetime Special|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|location=United States|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510233633/https://deadline.com/2020/05/rupaul-price-is-right-at-night-primetime-special-cbs-drew-carey-1202924735/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also made an appearance in the premiere episode of ''[[Canada's Drag Race]]''.

In August 2021, RuPaul guest hosted two episodes of the talk show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Street|first=Mikelle|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/8/26/watch-rupaul-guest-host-jimmy-kimmel-play-guess-drag-queen|title=Watch RuPaul Guest Host 'Jimmy Kimmel,' Kiki With Symone Over Win|website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|date=August 26, 2021|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828091627/https://www.out.com/television/2021/8/26/watch-rupaul-guest-host-jimmy-kimmel-play-guess-drag-queen|url-status=live}}</ref> He did voice work in ''[[Amphibia (TV series)|Amphibia]]'' portraying the [[FBI]] agent Mr. X. He won the [[Tony Award for Best Musical]] in 2022 as a producer of the Broadway musical ''[[A Strange Loop]]''.<ref name="tony">{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |date=June 12, 2022 |title=Tony Awards 2022 Live Updates: 'A Strange Loop' Wins Best Musical |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/12/theater/tony-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613033252/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/12/theater/tony-awards |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He also voices himself as the announcer on ''[[List of programs broadcast by Nickelodeon#Current programming|The Tiny Chef Show]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeons-brand-new-series-the-tiny-chef-show-stocks-its-first-season-with-celebrity-guests-and-rupaul-as-voice-announcer-301599898.html |title=Nickelodeon's Brand-New Series, the Tiny Chef Show, Stocks ITS First Season with Celebrity Guests and Rupaul as Voice Announcer |date=August 4, 2022 |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912142944/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeons-brand-new-series-the-tiny-chef-show-stocks-its-first-season-with-celebrity-guests-and-rupaul-as-voice-announcer-301599898.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He began hosting a revival of the game show ''[[Lingo (American game show)|Lingo]]'' for [[CBS]] in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=RuPaul Charles To Host Word Quiz 'Lingo' Reboot For CBS |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/rupaul-charles-word-quiz-lingo-reboot-cbs-1234931785/ |website=Deadline |access-date=February 11, 2022 |date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526021212/https://deadline.com/2022/02/rupaul-charles-word-quiz-lingo-reboot-cbs-1234931785/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as ''Celebrity Lingo'', a spinoff of [[Lingo (British game show)|the UK series]] of the same name on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Lauren |date=May 3, 2022 |title=RuPaul to host Celebrity Lingo for ITV |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-itv-newsupdate/ |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=Radio Times |archive-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904180248/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/rupaul-celebrity-lingo-itv-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

HarperCollins published the RuPaul memoir ''[[The House of Hidden Meanings]]'' in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=October 4, 2023 |title=RuPaul to Explore 'The House of Hidden Meanings' in 'Cathartic' New Memoir |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/rupaul-new-memoir-the-house-of-hidden-meanings-1234839528/ |access-date=February 3, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233744/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/rupaul-new-memoir-the-house-of-hidden-meanings-1234839528/ |url-status=live }}</ref>