RuPaul reveals how being different led to success: “I would never join into the matrix”

RuPaul, the beloved actor, drag queen and producer of "RuPaul's Drag Race" talks about the importance of identifying people who love and understand you for who you are — that is, he said, "find your tribe." On "Salon Talks," RuPaul give advices he learned as a young person who struggled to fit in to those who are experiencing similar isolation today. "I remember being 14 years old, making a pact with myself," he said. "I would never join into the matrix, never join into the status quo, and I would always fight it. It always felt like I was on an operating table and the anesthesia never worked." He's long been an advocate for being one's authentic self, even though sometimes it's difficult. "I have always worked and did my work on the fringe, where I have feel very comfortable," he noted. RuPaul has carved out a successful place as an iconoclast, and said he thinks change is coming for others who want to be, or simply are, different. Asked if he thought there was a shift toward gender becoming less binary with more people coming out as transgender or bisexual, RuPaul said, "I believe there is. As we as a race of people expand and tear down these damned walls, we will find different shades and different angles." _____________________________________ Subscribe to SalonTV’s Channel HERE:    / salontv   For more content from SalonTV, click HERE: https://www.salon.com/tv Like Salon on Facebook HERE:   / salon   Follow Salon on Twitter HERE:   / salon   Follow Salon on Instagram HERE:   / salonofficial   Watch SalonTV daily at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT and 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT, streaming live on YouTube. _____________________________________ About “Salon Talks” Hosted by Salon journalists, “Salon Talks” episodes offer a fresh take on the long-form interview format, and a much-needed break from the partisan political talking heads that have come to dominate the genre. “Salon Talks” is a destination for information through conversation. Viewers can expect discussions with A-list actors, artists, authors, thinkers, and newsmakers as we explore the full range of the human condition. The show streams live on YouTube and Salon.com. _____________________________________ About Salon TV SalonTV is Salon.com’s premiere video offering, including three shows, “Salon Talks,” “Salon Stage,” and “Salon Now,” as well as original series created by Salon.