When I went to interview drag queen extraordinaire RuPaul, I prepared a whole bunch of questions that involved getting Ru's advice on how to choose an outfit, how to throw shade effectively and (most importantly) how to do the contouring that the ladies on RuPaul’s Drag Race do so damn well. Instead, though, something a little different happened.
First things first though. If you haven’t heard of RuPaul, we’ll forgive you, but only just. The telly show that he created (RuPaul’s Drag Race, obvs) is bonkers, but good bonkers. It’s America’s Next Top Model mixed with Project Runway for drag queens. And now it's coming to the UK, yas!
RuPaul is the presiding matron over the whole thing. Formidable and inspiring, he's just about the most glamourous person you've ever laid eyes on. With or without his drag. He's been working in the business for over thirty years and in that time has released hit singles, been a supermodel, had his own talk show, released a cosmetic line... I mean, he's basically everything.
Anyways back to the present day; so inspiring was RuPaul that our entire interview turned into one very excellent therapy sesh. I told RuPaul what I was freaking out about, he made everything OK again. In short guys, I now love RuPaul more than ever before so I’m going to share his words of wisdom with you.
RuPaul Gives Us The Best Life Advice Ever
1 of 5'The first thing I do in the morning is to stretch. Get everything opened up. It’s important because if you don’t feel good, ususally it’s because there’s some blockage and you have to physically open up that blockage. One your frequency is open, then the love will flow through you*.' *I am not kidding he actually talks like this and it’s so freaking incredible I can’t deal.
'The first thing I do in the morning is to stretch. Get everything opened up. It's important because if you don't feel good, usually it's because there's some blockage and you have to physically open up that blockage. One your frequency is open, then the love will flow through you*.'*I am not kidding he actually talks like this and it's so freaking incredible I can't deal.
2 of 5Getting it together if you’re freaking out at work
'Focus on your breathing! It will really help you with your confidence because it will remind you who you really are. What you are is not who the magazines tell you, what you are is a manifestation of the power that created the whole universe* and that's a tall order to accept. Especially in our culture, women have been trained and domesticated to believe that they are second-class citizens. Thet are not; they are equal parts of what makes this world work.'*Again, he totally said this for reals. I. Can't. Even.
3 of 5Getting dressed if you’re feeling a bit crappy
'You need to decorate. You'll want to look your best. I've always said that it's best to look your best when you feel your worst. You've got to fake it until you make it.'
4 of 5Figuring out what you want to do with your life
'Knowing what you want to do in life is usually not difficult. What is difficult is carving out the time it takes to invest in you. People ask me about my work schedule. I work a lot, but it's not difficult. What WAS hard was all the time it took for me to get to this point. I've been in the business since 1982. I did not start making money for 11 years after working in clubs, sleeping on couches, sleeping in the park, doing whatever I could because I loved what I was doing. And that's what's important.'
5 of 5Dealing with someone you hate
It's important to focus on what you love about that person. A friend who passed away several years ago appeared in one of my dreams and said "Focus on a person's innocence, not their guilt'. It's like PollyAnna. She understood the dark sidebut she decided not to focus on it and put all her energy into positivity. So, if you're in a situation when you are with someone who you don't have anything in common with, find something that you love about them. Because in the end it's actually for you, you forgive people not for them but for you.'
READ M0RE: Start Your Engines – The RuPaul UK Line-Up And Release Date Have Been Announced
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.