Quote Of The Day By RuPaul: 'You Are None Of The Superficial Things That This World Deems Important. The Real You Is...'

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RuPaul Andre Charles is the most well-known drag artist in the world. From his sizable presence in '90s Hollywood to fighting tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights and being largely responsible for the introduction of drag to mainstream pop culture with his ongoing competition series "RuPaul's Drag Race," RuPaul is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. RuPaul's career in entertainment started in Atlanta, Georgia, where he began performing (starting a band called RuPaul and the U-Hauls) and even appeared on "The American Music Show" a few times. But it wasn't until RuPaul moved to New York City in the mid-'80s that his career would fully take off. 

RuPaul began performing in drag at clubs in the East Village, earning the title of "Queen of New York" among peers for his prolific presence on the scene. In 1991, his song "Supermodel (You Better Work)" was released on RuPaul's debut album "Supermodel of the World" and became a massive hit. From there, the Emmy-winning artist appeared in several movies and television projects, became the face of MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam line and HIV/AIDS fundraising campaign, and even hosted his own talk show. In 2009, RuPaul started "RuPaul's Drag Race," which elevates contestants' drag artistry to a global stage and increases public awareness of gay and trans issues. Even throughout such massive career growth, RuPaul has continued to be an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and used his platform to push for voter registration. RuPaul's firsthand experience with being an outsider, and his tireless dedication to equality for all, makes him the perfect pick for today's quote of the day.

In RuPaul's 2010 book "Workin' It!: RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style," he provides readers with advice on fashion, beauty, and how to navigate the world with confidence. In one excerpt, RuPaul writes, "Whatever you proclaim as your identity here in the material realm is also your drag. You are not your religion. You are not your skin color. You are not your gender, your politics, your career, or your marital status. You are none of the superficial things that this world deems important. The real you is the energy force that created the entire universe!" As social identities are increasingly being politicized, it's important to keep RuPaul's words in mind and move forward without shame. 

As the first person to bring drag to mainstream culture, RuPaul understands how social perception can inform how you navigate the world. RuPaul's quote applies his philosophy on drag to everyday life (a comparison he makes often). The labels that we give ourselves — or that are assigned by outside forces — are "drag" in the sense that they are largely chosen. Just like drag performers, we all put on a character to face the world. Nobody is exactly the same in their private life as they are in public. But, as RuPaul points out, none of these superficial labels have meaning besides what we assign to them. Defining yourself solely by your social identities, career, or personal beliefs is a pointless endeavor. What truly matters is how you navigate your inner world and move with purpose outside of it.

RuPaul has been forthcoming about how his identity has always impacted how people see him. Standing at 6 feet, 7 inches tall while in drag, RuPaul has never been able to hide. RuPaul's philosophy on life, that just about everything we do is a form of drag (even if people are hesitant to admit it), is incredibly freeing. Apply his words to your life and forget about the superficial labels others may try to assign you. What really matters is on the inside. 

• "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?"
• "What other people think of me is not my business. What I do is what I do. How people see me doesn't change what I decide to do."
• "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."
• "Once you clear out from your consciousness things that no longer matter, you're able to make room for other things."
• "Never forget that the most political thing you can ever do is follow your heart."
• "We're born naked, and the rest is drag."
• "When you become the image of your own imagination, it's the most powerful thing you could ever do."