RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag Race – Logo

As a dapper mentor one minute and divine mistress of ceremonies the next, RuPaul Charles pulls off not one but two roles in his long-running (in its 9th season) competition. What’s even more admirable is how the world’s most recognizable drag queen holds court—bestowing a balance of naughty wit and humane sensitivity that gives this runway show as much soul as it has strut. As someone who has literally walked in the 6-inch heels of his contestants, Charles shares a unique bond with the drag artists and performers who pull out every creative stop—and feather, and garter, and thong—in their quest to claim the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Behind the long lashes, RuPaul’s Drag Race is more than entertainment—it’s an international platform for creative, sensitive and often marginalized souls to share their hopes, fears and considerable talent. Can we get an amen?