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 Fasten your seatbelts – international drag superstar RuPaul is back in a new incarnation: reality TV host. Peter Hackney reports.
It’s always the case. Just when you thought the reality TV horse had been flogged to death, along comes another one. But RuPaul’s Drag Race seems a little different to the rest of the reality crop, for a couple of reasons.
For starters, it’s hosted by the world’s most famous drag queen. And secondly? “Our show is actually very entertaining,” deadpans RuPaul down the line from New York. A nine part series, RuPaul’s Drag Race is a little like America’s Next Top Model or Project Runway – except all the contestants are drag queens. Guest judges include Tori Spelling, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) and Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child). “They’re there to bring real tits and real ass to the table,” quips RuPaul. The show marks the latest in a long line of media incarnations for the iconic drag queen, who’s also known as a singer (think ‘Supermodel (You Better Work)’ and ‘Cover Girl’), actor (The Brady Bunch Movie, To Wong Foo...), model (she’s been signed to MAC Cosmetics since 1995) and general über-glamorous socialite who mixes with the likes of Cher and Elton John. She’s even recorded a duet with Elton (‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’) which hit the UK Top Ten. “Elton is a lot of fun and has a wicked sense of humour,” she coos. “For me, his massive creativity and spot-on wit make him the bees’ knees.” But while she’s worked with some of the world’s top celebrities, RuPaul ain’t done on that score yet – if she has her way, her next collaborator will be none other than Our Kylie, who RuPaul would love to have on a future series of Drag Race. Having attended Kylie’s Hollywood Bowl show during her recent For Me, For You US tour, RuPaul’s attitude to Kylie is probably best described as worship. “It was by far the best concert I have ever seen in my entire life,” she enthuses. “She is a consummate performer who was so happy to be there that the audience felt blessed by her presence.” As for her answer to that age-old gay question – ‘Madonna or Kylie?’ – RuPaul is clear. “Oh, please. Kylie!” In fact, Ru is a big fan of Aussies in general. Why? “Because I love anyone with a great sense of humour who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.” And while she hasn’t been here since the ’90s, our interview ends with a promise: “I will be in Australia within a year, mark my words”. Watch this space... RuPaul’s Drag Race screens 9.30pm Tuesdays (from February 2) on Lifestyle YOU, available on FOXTEL and AUSTAR.
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RuPaul’s Drag Race
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