Personally, I experience success when I enjoy what I'm doing. I love the creative process, even if the end result isn't embraced by anyone else.
RupaulRead
People don't know how to place me in their consciousness. They think, 'Oh, you must be here to make me look good. That's what gay guys are, right? You're an accessory for my straight life.' Just because your limited view is that everyone's there to serve you and that you're the only person in the world. It doesn't work that way.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote addresses the misconception that individuals, particularly from marginalized groups, exist merely to serve others' interest or enhance their lives.
RuPaul's quote highlights the tendency of some individuals to perceive those from different backgrounds or identities as mere accessories or additional elements meant to enhance their own status or lifestyle. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the individuality and agency of others, rather than reducing them to stereotypes or roles that serve only to elevate one's own self-image.
Themes
IdentityPerceptionIndividualityAuthenticitySelf-Worth
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about self-acceptance and identity at a pride event.
More from Rupaul
All quotes →The secret of success in every field is redefining what success means to you. It can't be your parent's definition, the media's definition, or your neighbor's definition. Otherwise, success will never satisfy you.
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Drag is involved with changing identities and not taking identities too seriously at all. That's why drag is such a hard sell to a network - or anyone, really - because it's up against the ego.
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All things to do with drag are inherently therapeutic because the realization of your own insanity is the beginning of sanity.
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I started out in this business in rock and roll bands and stumbled into drag. Drag just happened to be my vehicle for my creativity. So, you know, it's afforded me the opportunity to create new shows, to make music.
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Drag breaks the fourth wall, which is why it's never been quite accepted, because nobody wants to be told that they are really a caricature of themself and to not take yourself too seriously.
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