RuPaul is having a major moment.
Not only is the drag queen and TV host currently serving up Drag Race, Drag Race All Stars and Drag Race UK, his new scripted comedy series, AJ and the Queen, is just about to land on Netflix.
Oh, and the Emmy-winning 59-year-old has just become the first drag queen to ever grace to the cover of - an achievement all the sweeter given the trailblazing performer was this year .
The cover image was taken by iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz and shows the queen wearing a crystal-covered body suit and a white wig stacked to the sky.
In his interview with the publication, RuPaul discussed his foray into acting, personal philosophies, and the perception that drag culture is breaking into the mainstream, due in no small part to the international success of RuPaul's Drag Race.
“A superficial aspect of drag is mainstream," he reflected. "Like, the ‘Ooh, girl’ or ‘Hey girlfriend!’ or ‘Yaaas.’ That’s mainstream culture."
He added: "But true drag really will never be mainstream."
RuPaul continued, explaining that "true drag" is more than just the act of dressing up as a different gender.
"True drag has to do with seeing that this world is an illusion and that everything that you say you are and everything it says that you are on your driver’s license, it’s all an illusion," he said.
"Most people will never in their lives understand what that is. Because they don’t have the operating system to understand that duality.”
Mama Ru goes on to deliver a philosophical master class, sharing his journey from fringe nightlife performer to international superstar.
“You know how on the plane they say put the mask on your face before you put the mask on your child’s face? It starts with me. I cannot help someone unless I am first having fun or being fulfilled,” he said.
“I don’t do this because I want to be a role model. If somebody can get something from what I’m doing, I say right on, sister. But that’s not why I do it.”
