RuPaul interview on Arsenio 1993 

Humanity is going backwards, sadly

@@stariveart 💗I am gonna have to agree with u in a lot of ways

It's not that more people are less accepting, it's that there was no outlet for people to express their bigotry and hatred towards others like there is today with the internet. People were not happy about this I guarantee you, their reach only went so far as their inner circle rather than the whole world. With that said, these drag bans are a much bigger issue, yet is something we the people have the power to control by voting. Hate may win the battle every now and then, but never wins the war.

Absolutely NOT. You’re just romanticizing ONE crowd.

I'm Thinking The Crowd Was Fake, Or Maybe A Chosen Audience...If Not I'm Pleasantly Surprised

Richard Salmon and this is 93

right! aresenio was secure with himself so he wasnt threatened. to have a black gay man and drag queen on your show on national TV in 93 was a big deal, but he had the utmost respect for ru. i have so much respect for arsenio.

He seems gay himself

Agreed. This was a great interview.

@@paulsingqandu6125 Also thought he seems obviously gay but not out, which was v common back in the early 90's

Right!

Amen!

Rupaul was huge in the early '90s. She was then like what Cardi B is now. Rupaul was all over MTV Grind back in the day. Her hits was on repeat across America on radio While her videos was in heavy rotation to. Alot of people really thought she was a biological woman and a real supermodel turned pop sensation.

Duhh...

Yessssss! I love RuPaul so much.

This guy is such positive energy its infectious. Should give classes.

Ugh! I wish we were all as regular as he says, but RuPaul, I've seen footage from his Club Kidz days in the 80's, and he's always had this AMAZING CONFIDENCE! He has never ever been afraid of showing his true self. Of course this may be only what we see, but his level of confidence at his 20's is amazing, that's nothing regular :-( We all need some of that! :-D

ICONIC!!!

lmao

baby doll shade,gag,beat,ova has been words that the gays been using for ever!!!!! These children didn’t make that up

Madonna was saying that in 1990

Nobody thinks that, but keep spreading negativity kid

Bastion Cory where’s the negative comment? Quickly

Jay Ramon not really actually. Most of the big daytime shows were booking guests like this around that time.

@@michaelr5100 but the way Ru wasn't sensationalized in thia interview, but actually down to earth interviewed and treated like a normal person and not a circus freak was WAY WAY WAAAAAY before that time.

Not really. People got it in '93. We weren't idiots.

@@madamebovary7211 I don't know about that lmao

@@madamebovary7211 some people got it not most

i think conversations were better back then, people had an open mind but there was no social media full of toxic comments

The 90s was the best decade.

Zaaier like this one? Alright made a point boomer

Shocking right?!!

Bruh the 90’s was one of the most liberal decades in history bc the grunge movement

He probably gay on the low

@@Trini190 oh stfu

Stop saying stupid stuff about secure. You can’t force things in people. Everyone doesn’t have to like everything. You just say that to bully people into going along wit it. Shut up

@@Trini190 Shut the fuck up.

@@tonyaberman3669 No bitch you shut up. Obviously she shit a nerve with you when you read that. So seek counsel and get the fuck off of RU-vid until maturity and discernment are developed.

I was thinking the same, he was great man to allow Ru up there and be genuine

RuPaul isn't a transvestite/transsexual.

Arctic Warrior no he isn’t, but back in this era many ignorant people referred to drag queens as transvestites no matter how incorrect it was.

YaggaYaggaYa yeah but by allowing him to be there he open peoples eyes to some that drag isn’t as perverse as others would seem it to be... and even today some closed minded people think it’s wrong to dress as a woman when it fact there’s nothing wrong w that... people made a career of it

I never understood why people care so much, my only issue is how you identify yourself as a man or a woman and you still have your original parts.

adamblue don’t use slurs on him.

@@NighttimeBird None of the words in the OP are 'slurs'.

T Electronix i think it is because queer used to be a derogatory word toward lgbt people until they decided to use it themselves and change the connotation of queer

Ru is still the prettiest Drag I've ever seen.

Solene Pigeon stfu thats whats wrong with our community, we are literally too sensitive

Yaaaaaaaaassssssssssss!!!!!!

truuuuuuuu

Fuck yes

That would be amazing!!! 😃

And absolutely nothing is tainted by fame

@@sharonmiller7213 Yep, he dedicated his life after fame to elevating queens like him so they never have to live through the kind of hardships he did.

@@KingGhidorah5464😂😂😂😂😂

Nai Nai you probably think shenene is hot too

Same. I thought Rupaul was a woman and when I realized she was a drag queen it was shocking as a kid. I remember Rupaul was everywhere in the 90s and now she has put drag queen into mainstream is amazing.

Same! I just couldn't see how someone so woman-like could be a man, it took me years to understand xD and in fact I never saw Ru out of drag until DragRace, I was shook 😂😂

Nai Nai same thing for me. When I saw Ru in drag as a kid I thought she was the most beautiful black woman I ever seen. I was shocked then and still get shocked knowing my this character is a man underneath

izzy hicks I thought she was a woman as well, RuPaul is an icon.

True!

*cough* Charlamagne *cough*

I think there were better artist then too, every thing in the music/movie industry now is so cookie cutter, and social media is just a platform for people to steal concepts and use them like it's something they started

All facts!!!

@@TheReturnOfStephan1 Charlamagne The Rapist...Yeap SMH

So beautiful seeing Mother in her prime, this is the seed she planted that has helped to grow Drag Race and all the different dollls we have got to discover!

What a bunch of fruitcake alphabets

@@Iknowyoumadnow so yummy!

​@@Iknowyoumadnowwho hurt you 🤣🤣

@@jddIII think he’s just been hurt his whole life.

He not She

@@dabarawahjacob7970 that's some real Sherlock Holmes shit, you should be an investigator, kid

@@dabarawahjacob7970 no shit sherlock. when drag queens are in drag they're girls

@@brian7624 A man dressed as a woman is still a man dressed as as a woman. Just like a sheep dressed like a wolf is still a sheep #sheep.

@@dabarawahjacob7970 like i said. drag queens are women when in drag move

Orius25 Precisely! The real talent is somehow making it sound “iconic” instead of a tired cliché. Somehow he manages this effortlessly.

@@Liusila When you have something that comes from the heart instead of the little generic catchphrases these drag race girls have coming into the door it really stands the test of time

@@missthang5654 👍 As if they invented something. 😃

It's good. (Tho, not sure you knew...) she didn't make up the phrases, she is using phrases from drag culture.

It's all in the name of slang. We all do it. It's not exclusive to gay culture.

You said it! Even way back then.

C. U. N. Tea.

So much it's gaping

Amen

She should go on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

He came back and got cancelled. Remember when he was on The Apprentice?

@@drinny26 why did he get cancelled

Bimbo Productions Music nobody watched it. Lol

@@bimboproductionsmusic734 He probably sneezed and offended some stupid kid on Twitter.

Netflix

black don’t crack they say

I thought the point is that he’s ok with being a man, srry not trying to be incentive

pearlspace jam typically when drag queens are in drag they’re referred to as “she” but yeah they’re still men

RuPaul puts a lot of makeup on. That's why.

Plastic surgery

👍 LoL

“I met ru in 1990 when H E ...” Delusionoids 🙄

@@510joo4 you refer to them as she when in drag dingus. We know RuPaul is a MAN in DRAG. fucking move.

@@510joo4 lmao your comment accomplished nothing.

Thank you for sharing this story! I wasn't even born until 1993

Brit Giv i'm not saying it's surprising for arsenio i'm saying it's surprising for a talk show host in the 90s and especially one with a predominantly straight, black audience

Phoenix G please see my above comment

Phoenix G Because homophobia in straight society in general and in straight black society specifically has always been a difficulty to be overcome. In the 90s being gay was frequently a punchline (not that it still isn't), whether offense was meant or not, so it's different to see a drag queen being interviewed on TV in this time and setting as a person rather than a spectacle. Happy?

Phoenix G Phoenix G I'm saying surprising as a whole. I am saying Arsenio here is a pleasing exception to homophobia in the 90s. Done trying to get my point across.

It wasn't that hard to get what you meant here. Don't see why there was an argument.

I always find it interesting that Arsenio Hall turned down a film role in “But I’m a Cheerleader” (where he would’ve portrayed a closeted gay man) because he was uncomfortable about playing a gay character. Ironically, RuPaul ended up playing that character instead.

@@KatLovin It makes since because there’s been arguments that gay people should play gay characters in movies and shows instead straight people who wouldn’t really understand the struggle as much

RuPaul running around Hollywood. She/he got all the dirt on Arsenio and Eddie. They both like a little trans fix if you know what I mean.

Arsenio and Eddy Murphy were both notorious in Hollywood and New York for picking up transvestite hookers. So of course he was comfortable.

This sort of thing has always confused me a bit. Not really sure why this would make people question his sexuality. Does who you have on as a guest influence your personal leanings? If Arsenio interviews a Plumber, is the next question on people's mind "Ohhh, is Arsenio secretly a Plumber?" Also, Trans is not Drag. Nor is Drag Trans. You "do" Drag, and "are" Trans. These concepts "Venn" together fairly easily and often, but are definitely distinct. Take it from a gay man. 🏳️‍🌈 (apologies to any Trans and Drag peeps who feel that's an oversimplification or inaccurate.)

Reason I loved rupaul so true to himself.

That's why gay nation called him out ,about his private life

Probably because Ru Paul didn’t try to call himself a woman, or try to get some straight man to accept him as a “woman.”

@@LifeIsNotorious literally no drag queen does that

@@rita2774 okay which is why he was more comfortable with talking to him. That’s the point

West Coast Vampire ikr?!

He*

@@loveangelmusicbaby8369 Usually people call queens "she" when they're in drag so... Yeah.

West Coast Vampire ..yes LOVE is the law...look at what you’re proud of has become..

Ricardo Cadet ..oh he is happily GAY and loves small white D

I'm a couple years older than Ru and straight. I am so in lust of the early Ru, the WeeWee Pole days. That beautiful face with that smile, the way he spoke, the way he moved. The old videos on RU-vid of those days taken by Nelson are all so special. I would have loved to sew for him back then.

were u alive in 93?

She's a legend.

@@uggggggghhhhhNo I've just watched a lot of old rupaul content lol

You know why, because Rupaul respects herself, and respects other and gay people tend to make everything sexual or sexual undertones. Not everyone wants to hear d!ck and p*ssy jokes all day. Rupaul is not pushing any agendas, Rupaul will always be loved and adored.

@@Kevin_tx Why would you suggest that all gay people make everything sexual. Just in your comment alone, you have sexualized us involuntarily based on YOUR perceptions. Maybe not everyone needs to be labeled with YOUR critieria!

@@Kevin_tx kevin your homofobia is showing, when i was little the grown ups (heteros) would ask me and other little girls about boys or boyfriends,, and thats fucked up, dont say only gay people talk about sexual things all the time because heteros do it too.

@@Kevin_tx Like straight dudes don't do it too every time they talk about girls, Spend some time with gay people and realise that they are normal people. Also have you even seen dragrace?I doubt your fragile homophobia could deal with the things they say, if Pussy is too much for you

@@Kevin_tx Get out of here with your homophobia. To imply that other gay people don’t respect themselves or “make everything sexual” is ridiculous.

She was woke way back then

I just love him

You do realize that's a GUY right??? Stop calling him a her and a she. DNA and God says he is a he!

@@charliem.7492 Stop being a troll.

Charlie M. Not everyone is Christian you close minded idiot!

Salutes jakii :) you are nice

don't be fooled

Princes you are beauty

Young shutup

YOUNG 3KG'S explain?

Yesssssss

what guy? got a link?

@@no_i_dont_want_no_slugs ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T6W5_CSk044.html here ya go!!!! XD

That's the video I came from! Arsenio is badass, makes me want to meet him!

@@tsunadejr He should have mentioned every gay guy AND lesbian he had on the show, one person isn't going to shut them up. Oh, wait, is the left going to let me say lesbian?

Shangela speaks almost like Mama Ru

absolutely!

Twins

Yes!!! This is why Shangela should play Ru if they do a biopic!

KissMySuccotash definitely!

This is one of the most brilliant quotes I have ever read. I'm going to have to borrow this from you.

I know right! Such an inspiration! Wow🙂🙂

That explains Jaida's verse in the finale song :)

I needed to see this

And 2020 it’s in a song, so long in the making

Um, it was the 90's, everyone knew that was his schtick, Nowadays, we're forced to accept it, You know, rainbow flags, unicorns, and all that.

Eh. It was more for shock then. sadly.

@@armybeef68 shut up

​@armybeef68 This sounds homophobic, but I'll just tell you this. You're not forced to accept it, but we advise you to not be disrespectful about it. You don't have to support us, but at least respect us enough to leave us alone. Point blank.

@@SpecificValio PLEASE SPEAK LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK TO HEAR

i was amazed. even now it’s like this interview is from the future, with how wonderful and respectful it is.

@@bjorkapologist2834 Arsenio was ahead of his time

ES

Julio Hernandez shame he can’t do the same for trans kids hey

Self love is just accepting what you were born with. RuPaul, RuPaul... You... Are not... A woman..... You're just.... Not. Face it. Accept it. Love it. What's so terrible about being a man? And I'm a female. There's nothing bad or terrible about being a man. Why is it so terrible to be a man? You really want to be a woman, but what makes being a woman so much better than being a man? So sad how men have so much self hate in their species. I'm so glad my mom taught me how to absolutely love being a feminine girl and my father taught my brothers how to absolutely love being masculine men. Masculinity is not bad, terrible, or toxic. It's balance. Femininity is no better or worse than masculinity.

@@pun988 he doesn’t have to . Why don’t you do it ?

MC Benxmann inc 😂

Since the late 70's early 80's, boo.

What has she said?

Some close minded comment about trans women and their ability to participate in drag race. Ru said only bio men should be participants of his show but then apologized for his comments and said he was in the wrong. Wasnt a good choice of his but hes tried to make up for it.

@@jacobbalanda7423 it's not as straight forward as that. He was interview by a British newspaper, and journalist had no idea about anything from what I could tell, and she just couldn't get her head around peppermint being a trans woman. Ru was probably tired of this basic interview with questions he's heard thousands of times before.

@@yeoman2k1 Yea but people still dragged her through the mud likes shes some terrible person and say that shes canceled lol i just dont get it personally I feel like it was a mistake and shes so much more.

Rupaul is motha and never could be cancelled

True i was watching family feud and his behavior is soooo old and stuck in the past he was pretty rude but rupaul and his team took it well

Yes! I watched that weird Family Feud in which Steve acted like he'd never seen a drag queen before. It seemed like he thought transgender people and drag queens were one in the same. Like, did no one working on that show could have flagged his behaviour was problamatic!?

Harvey CANNOT HANG

se llama grandes egos

lol Lace front wig baby! ❤

Mathu Andersen is an absolute genius

She's going back back back to her roots lol

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Lace front LAID 👏👏

I remember watching Paris is Burning in 1991 thinking it was so far ahead of its time. Finally, it’s found its time: now. And while that is wonderful, it still makes me sad to think of the number of brave, talented and inspirational souls in that film who are no longer with us.

Ru's brand has been since the 80s. Now she is Corporate Mama Ru. I aint mad at it. Just sayin. Others catchphrases she uses also proceeds Ru from gay culture. Remember Ru said there is always someone that turns into an 18 year old everyday. So selling culture is recyclables--that is what makes Corporate Mama Ru a marketing & branding genius...but too bad so is Trump.

I love Ru but you need to learn your herstory because right now you are spitting on the graves of legends. Julian Eltinge. Divine. Miss Shangay Lily. These are stars who we can name & celebrate, but there are countless others too who might not have made it to the same level of fame but who were brave in the face of adversity. People who risked their lives & would have been killed by authorities if they were found doing drag, but who at the end of their act would defiantly remove their wigs & smear their makeup, as proof of who they were & a challenge to the world. People who marched out in the open in drag when it was illegal to do so, knowing full well the danger that meant. Ru has balls no doubt, but please don't act like there weren't inspirational, iconic legendary stars before too. Don't try to imply that those "men who were dressing up as women" weren't couragous or didn't "have the balls" when they risked everything. That is just disrespectful.

I didn't mean any disrespect to you. I am simply admiring Ru as a gay man who has also seen his number challenges, Rebecca! Please don't patronize me for making a statement out of love and admiration

@@auggirangel8829 I took no disrespect to me. I felt it was disrespectful the many incredible drag queens who came before Ru. I recognize Ru fought many battles to get to this point. Ru has put in an incredible amount of work & has a fantastic outlook & philosophy. Like I said I love Ru & I said it absolutely took courage/balls to get there, I simply took issue with your statement you made that made it sound like there hadn't been iconic drag queens before Ru, or even that men dressing up as women didn't take balls. I said you needed to learn your herstory because if you believed what you had said, then no shade meant but if that were the case then there is a lot that you should research. I meant no disrespect to you. There is nothing wrong with not knowing something. For example in S4 of drag race Jiggly didn't know her history & that is ok, but the other queens took the time to tell her, because these are things we should not forget. That is why I said what I said, because I couldn't let it slide when it is disrespectful to say no one else had the balls to make it their career & become stars, when there were people who absolutely did, & they were incredible too. I understand that you said it out of admiration for Ru, but I think if you were to say that *to* Ru she would probably give you a herstory lesson herself. Everything I have seen makes me sure that she absolutely recognizes the importance of those who came before. I have a lot of admiration for Ru, & I have a lot of admiration for past drag queens too. Recognizing & admiring one doesn't have to mean putting down anyone else. Edited for typos.

Rebecca Panayi-Sjotun I would say that RuPaul definitely was the one who made drag more accessible to a wider audience (or they might say going mainstream). His words resonated into the hearts of the LGBTQ+ and even the communities outside and people are becoming more comfortable due to his influences. Not spitting on the graves of the Legends, but they were definitely the Stars that are there up in the sky that were idolized, but they didn’t yet give the accessibility to the fullest that many of the LGBTQ+ communities wanted for so long they were definitely the ones who began the march and it took a long while and the fight still ain’t over, but we know now that the community has many people who will love drag and its openness

@@sonerkamer2678 Absolutely, I would never argue against that. I am a big fan of Ru, otherwise I wouldn't be out here watching old interviews, lol. ❤ My intent has never been to bring anyone down or dimish their impact. I only wished to bring light to others too, since if people truly thought the way the original comment implied then that would be unfortunate. I mentioned a few drag queens who came before as I do think they helped with visability too, they were just the first who came to mind. I mentioned Miss Shangay Lily because she was more contempary with Ru being around at much the same time & creating visability in Spain, following in many ways a similar route as Ru. (Drag Queen, actor, writer, director, involved with film & TV, authored books & as a vlogger, blogger & LGBT+ rights activist did a lot for visability & started Spain's first free magazine for the LGBT+ community.) Miss Shangay Lily obviously did not have the almost worldwide reach of RuPaul, but her impact on Spain was palpable. (D.E.P. 🥀) I mentioned the countless others who were brave in the face of adversity because the original comment had brought into question their courage, & that was what I initially took issue with. I take no issue with saying RuPaul is a legendary icon who has brought drag into the mainstream, brought wider visability to drag & to LGBT+, has worked incredibly hard to do so & is truly inspirational. I agree completely with all of that. My only issue was the idea that we have to squash others down in order to raise Ru up. If the original comment had been: "A true inspiration & an icon. Ru had the BALLS to make drag her career & be a star." Then I would have just liked the comment & moved on, my only issue was the shade at those who came before, insinuating that they didn't have "the balls". Tldr; RuPaul said herself: "Anybody who steps out of the house with a pair of high heels and a wig is my hero." I feel that is how we should be, bring each other up, respect the battles & the history.

Haha! Truth! Arsenio was big back then, now.....

But it’s still not a “who is that sitting beside her” 🙄

Best comment ever!

Interesting isn't it?

No need for this. Don't think you'd like it if someone highlighted your fall off.

Halleluuuu

Dominic Elias me too. I thought he was cool and looked better as a girl 😂

Yes Ma’am. Love ya Dom

IKR His smile is even like no one else.

I was looking in the comments to see if anyone else noticed that! He was so intrigued, he couldn't go to break just yet

I loved that too!!!

her??

@@kallscape1884 lol yeah. keeping in the vain of the character Ru is portraying, I'm calling him *her* ... don't shit yourself now 😂

OMG! I read this just as RuPaul was saying it!!

Time stamp pls?

P N 6:06

That's not a she, lol.

@@lesdelawder5297 when in drag he's a she 🤷

I feel the same way! Right on.

Haha ‘ASL’ dude

I've been saying that to my mom as a goodnight gesture when I found out what it meant, ever since I was 12 years old, I'm 52 now, and we still do this when I leave her place.

And don't forget, “Good-night, Sleep tight, Don't let the bedbugs bite”

why?

Shangelas personality is a lot like this.

Why?

kentsneed yes i see so much shangie here

Not soft enough👀😬

2020 conversation

That's real allyship right there, literall;y doing what you can with your platform to empower minorities to use their own voices, even if it's just something small like this. I also read into that moment way too much, but it's so important

It's ok dude, you're accepted.

How so? Genuinely curious 😊🤗

Bless ya heart glad your in a better place with yourself

thank you for sharing that

Nicely said, however, it really boils down to now having choices. Conservatives don't usually like it, because it goes against what they consider nature, which is either male or female. I'm gay, and I generally am middle-of-the-road conservative in thinking, and attribute that to my upbringing. I enjoy drag, but the whole converting gender thing, is too much.

Thanks for sharing! I keep telling ppl that the world isn’t black and white (boy n girl) it’s a big ass rainbow with everything in between. I wish u peace, success, and love

I guess I can't say peNOPEis or vaNOPEgina.....LOL

Khaki Diamond you’re right!!

Legs for DAYS!!!

@@Sunshine96818 Naomi Smalls is SHOOK

male legs arent special

Magic

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

alisha doesnt imagine males

alisha doesnt magine being male

There’s always that one person that always has something negative to say about everything… by the way you’re that one person.

@@heatherdiansmith damn... it wasn't my intention to bring hate towrds the RPDR series nor to the production crew but okay if you say so💁‍♂️

And what about it?

Louie Del Fierro thank you for the edit because your first comment did sound very derogatory for no reason.

I totally agree with you! I've read they used filters to kinda hide the low budget the first season had... Dont know If it's true, but It is nice to wonder about It. Apparently, people from the comunity are very sensitive about Rupaul and the show in general. Greetings from Brazil!

not an ounce of love involved

good observation

mamas arent males

I live 5 minutes away from Brooklyn College. That must of been amazing to see both of them at the same time!! Wow, I cannot imagine.

Joan Rivers AND Ru!? I would have died! What a lovely memory. I’m so very jealous.

Yeah, they sound the same. Ru even says 'Halleluh'

For me it has something to do with the enthusiasm, professionalism (and a nose for business) and stage presence! From all the Ru girls Shangela grew the most, from being a baby dragqueen to a mainstream star :)

Jonathan Arancibia This is where Shangela is headed. With her spirit and talent, she’ll be right up there with Mama Ru eventually.

@roisinmcguckin very well said and very true!

Yes, anytime is a brave is a brave time to be authentically you. No matter the generation, there will be people who want to enforce "normalcy" and traditions. But because of Ru, the many people before him and after him, people can be more courageous in being themselves. This video was such a delight to watch because Ru has really been himself all these years. An inspiration!

It Still is. Unfortunately.

things has not change. fuck what year it is

Baby them lips of yours are iconic 😍

Alex C got Snapchat ?

@@bauxness abeysee on Insta

This thread went from fab to ｔｈｉｒｓｔ quick lol

​@alexc5656 alishas lips arent involved in any capacity

Yes this quote is so old :O I'm also surprised

I thought that too 🤦🏽‍♂️

It's right there, in the title, haha xD

@@MarkusAndersen96 It wasn't on there originally. He added it later.

@@bluedasher74 oh! My apologies, then :) Quite amazing that you got the year right :D