RuPaul Explains His Decision to Move to New York in 1984

[@OMG_BeCkY]

Dude knew what he wanted & he got it.

[@kayb947]

OMG BeCkY look back at Madonna ....the same thing, both believed in themselves.

[@themakeupbyimani]

@@bxsed ru paul is not trans you stupid ass bitch???

[@mikeycroker3480]

Dudette

[@Hamlet2369]

Those freckles tho 😍

[@mickeymouse2able]

They both earned everything. Rupaul is magnificent. And so informed and smart on Drag Race. We should be so lucky to know Her / History like Rupaul does. I'm an illustrator and all the time when I feel tired, sleepy, depressed i watch Drag Race and literally feel inspired and energized. RU-MAZING!

[@raikusen19]

"I'm gonna take off like a stick of dynamite"... and you did, mama Ru. What a hero!

[@AlanLiddell]

Yes Ma'am.

[@KeithsReviews]

+uutuber It's almost like he was born a man.

[@mickeymouse2able]

Truth...such truth in your comment.

[@mickeymouse2able]

@@KeithsReviews you're kidding right? Rupaul was born a man and is a Drag Queen Iconic Star.

[@ДжонСакер]

Mama? He's a man

[@paisleyspin5061]

Why is he the most adorable thing in the world? Omg those freckles.

[@Madmen604]

Good looking he is cookin

[@diane9247]

Isn't he? Just precious!

[@jambrook1978]

it is so powerful to hear Ru say that he was going to take off like a stick of dynamite. i am reminded of madonna going on american bandstand in the early 80's and say she was going to rule the world! what an inspiration to know what you want in life and just go out and take it!

[@AlanLiddell]

Absolutely.

[@sloburnjo]

ahhh, there are Many folks whose shoulders they stand on! Those who truly gave and others who were taken from, these folks do not live in a vacuum! Ambition does help. cheers

[@LuanaSofiaJG]

GOD!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FACE!!! SO ANDROGYNOUS FACE...

[@user-yh9vd9yz9u]

yesss. i seen a interview a few yrs back of him with no makeup. he's gorgeous. gorgeous brown feckles and beautiful skin

[@LuanaSofiaJG]

Yes Ru Paul is very pretty and handsome in the same time!.

[@Face_Reality]

Androgynous just like the baphomet

[@thedrunkenramblingsnorthea4201]

@@Face_Reality yasss its awesome isnt it !

[@8pija22]

@@Face_Reality jesus was androgynous too

[@tonydrayton5750]

he was so cute

[@cecebruh6287]

what do you mean "was"

[@martinx9654]

Exactly Anoymous Queen, she still has those diamond crusted cheek bones and that skin clearer than my future, she's the queen of queens

[@mrs.michelleenabetancourtl9596]

Anonymous well he was cute,because he was in his 20s at the time.Rupaul is 56,and as you get older you may look fabulous,but not the youth he enjoyed in the 80s

[@jonjonpatterson7529]

sexy

[@Face_Reality]

Gross. You like doodoo...

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍😍It seems he has always had the “it” factor. He was speaking abundance, success and prosperity over his life!!! Proof that it is important to be careful what you speak over your life. I’ve only recently started taking an in-depth look at him and to really pay attention to him after I started watching the Nelson Sullivan videos of him in the late 80s. He is a beautiful person. Bless him. 💞

[@lovinliverpool]

"I just had lunch with Madonna" The most casual name drop I ever heard

[@mickeymouse2able]

Probably had lunch with Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, David Bowie...and survived New York in the 80s...what a Star! Can't wait for the biographical movie.

[@markpeter4304]

Well it's 1984...Madonna was still somewhat underground came out with first record probably a year earlier on Sire/Warner records. At this point Madonna was mostly played on black radio with back audiences.

[@roccoz2231]

@THEcomplainingCHANNEL Are you sure? Madonna didn't truly "blow up" until the '84 VMAs and the "Like A Virgin" album (released that November). Ru could very well have had lunch with her.

[@vingancacoracao2552]

Reading his book we now know that means getting side eyed but Madonna in the break room at HIS job haha.

[@user-pw9td8fb6b]

@@markpeter4304 Whatcho talking about Willis? Madonna had hits in the Billboard top 100 by this time (“Holiday”, “Borderline”).

[@memorymalunga670]

There are some people whose inner light shines so bright, it's undeniable, Rupaul is one such person. He just draws you in. What a beautiful soul.

[@spickleme598]

so well spoken. it hurts me to think he was ever made to feel bad about who he is. a star.

[@tigergreg8]

Why feel hurt, it's what made Rupaul, Rupaul. We all have those hurt feelings, but it's what you do with it, that either makes you, or breaks you. He simply didn't care or listen, and did what he simply wanted too.

[@gladysgreen2]

He's a classy gentleman, and has been for a while evidently.

[@shesslucky]

His voice is much deeper here

[@Face_Reality]

Lol he's a man!!!!!! Wth

[@Shifter22]

After a person comments, saying a mans voice is deeper in a video, a voice rang out... "squuuuawk! He's a man!!" .... Making no sense at all. They called themselves Face reality. Ironic.

[@obsidiansea]

Yeah, it's really interesting that his voice got higher as he got older.

[@michaelsledge3904]

@@obsidiansea he trained himself to talk in that pitch lol

[@kenyattawhite7087]

@@obsidiansea In the 80’s it was very, very dangerous to be gay. A man had to be able to pass as straight in any moment. There was no such thing as mainstream “out.” Ru is actually very brave in these nelson videos. Of course one was a bit more safe in nyc but still.

[@JerichoMile4]

Circa early 1980s - - I saw a RuPaul poster in Atlanta and thought "...what a cool name !"

[@sokamori28]

He knows what he wants to do very early on and he did it. Made all the right decisions. Still preaching the same words of wisdom today and spreading the word. So proud of mama Ru, what an inspiration!

[@lilbohbeat5785]

This is crazy.. So cool to see Ru at this age. It's too bad they have that music track plying over him speaking..

[@Dragonfly-0010]

@@313koneko I thought it was just me

[@SLUBUG]

It's the best part. So 80s lol

[@DJDiegoGarcia]

oh my god!! lunch with madonna?!??!? i would love to see they eating a tic tac together!!!

[@trey5667]

I could watch this stuff all day. "I just had lunch with Madonna". That's amazing. Rupaul is such a great person.

[@jbt6007]

I remember Ru well on the Atlanta scene back in the day. He was a lovely, friendly, and warm human being.

[@485451564654]

this video is such a gem! thank you for posting it

[@bgray5577]

You’ve always been my idol #RuPaul.. I LOVE u.. Seeing this video again makes me feel like I just found a new gemstone. Thanks mama Ru

[@gbs56]

I prefer his voice here... God he was a beautiful young guy!

[@sedwards2207]

He always was a looker. Still is, in fact!

[@obsidiansea]

I love how she moved in and gave him support when he needed it (0:50) and then stepped back thinking, I'm going to let him shine (1:00)! That was really sweet.

[@Cardsmaster]

She’s a keeper!!! I wonder if Rupaul still talks to herz

[@lizosborne9623]

Omg baby ru.. still beatiful today ..long live the queen !!!

[@fabriannnaa6788]

So poised even back then. I ❤️ Ru!!

[@goodgriefhesnaked]

I have never seen Rupauls drag race, but have been watching these old videos plus listening to his music. What an inspiration he is to me now that I see where he started! Makes me realize most of these "artists" try to hide their past because they were born rich, and instead of working hard took lots of shortcuts. If they didn't hide their rich roots, that would mean they weren't ashamed of where they came from and know they still worked hard. There's a few like that, but most fall into the temptation and it shows through their work and extreme cover up attempts at old footage.

[@stacyh9286]

“ I feel like I wanna take my Rupaul message to the world“ And you did Mama Ru!! Thank you!!

[@pocahontasswagg4198]

YOU HAVE NOT CHANGE ONE BIT AND THAT WAS A VERY GOOD DECISION TO MOVE TO NEW YORK

[@monuzx1]

I am crushing on RuPaul all over again..he is so sweet beautiful and amazing as always ❤️❤️

[@damonshelton7999]

He just had lunch with 1984 Madonna!?! *head explodes*

[@ExposingZionistEvil]

The thing is, that he really wasn't anything special, until his #1 hit, "Supermodel". He worked very, very hard, and it was not until his song, that he ever became famous. THAT is some fucked-up shit...

[@isobel64]

he was epcial in atlanta

[@DontTroubleMe]

Omg he has such a fresh face. Those freckles, the pose, the idgaf. Love ittt

[@CityGuyGoesCounty]

I remember him from my days in Atlanta, he was always very nice. On the weekend he would sell baseball card size post cards of himself for 50 cents. He would tell people one day I am going to be a BIG 🌟⭐🌟⭐ ! You did it RU 🌠🌠

[@svenpretz]

So young and still so polished. Pure talent!!!

[@uncageXtheXcolours]

You better SISSY THAT TRASHCAN!

[@shanny4306]

uncageXtheXcolours sooooooooo real! LOVE it

[@thomasinemiller3765]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE these archive tapes of the FABULOUS, ICONIC RuPaul 😍 It just shows if you stick to your dreams and work hard it will pay of in a MAJOR WAY!

[@jackjohnson7396]

84, long time ago. Makes one think twice about life.

[@milhouse14]

He was already serving realness even back then. 👏👍

[@MonsieurVerite]

OMG! What a beautiful face!!!

[@MashedPotatoLogic]

I can barely hear Ru because of the music, wish it was lower. Beautiful Ru, inside and out, and the most adorable dusting of freckles! Heart!!

[@JennaJuneify]

Awww. It's a baby Ru

[@GG-yn6jw]

So handsome, and always the same person never changes so even Keel the way he speaks and just so sweet and just sounds very mature for his age got to love him!!!!!❤

[@candosciousb2642]

Timeless BEAUTY. The passion in young RuPauls eyes.... you DID it Gurrrrrlll!!

[@mrs.michelleenabetancourtl9596]

he was so cute,he had a fierce competitive face.there's was a innocence on this video,he was pure and clean.once you expose more,that innocence is gone!

[@idoyes1400]

Soul ties kill your individuality..

[@tripletease]

What a (beautiful) legend, always and forever! Such an inspiration!

[@Nikos777Music]

omg he's so cuuute

[@offspring2002]

And he had spread the message to the whole world. Awesome person.

[@lalaland12564]

so much confidence, drive, and inspiration

[@rwade4387]

Wow, He's 24 in this... Same age as me. The amount of growth from his youth to now is amazing. Gives me hope.

[@yuriesaa1299]

In this ocasion she was dressed as if 2016 and it s actually the year I born. 1984 wow!!! fashion always comes around

[@suavehinrg]

Excellent! I am a 1984 baby too!

[@jehouse61]

He.

[@terrijofilms305]

Much respect for RuPaul, love this man! 🦋🌺🦋🌺

[@erinwalker6185]

RuPaul said he'd take his message to the world and took it he did.

[@brockreynolds870]

He moved to New York and couhc surfed for about 4 months until he have up and went back home to Atlanta.

[@beatnickblanket]

That closeup of "We Love NY" on a trash can is such a metaphor for what the next 6 years of Ru's life were.

[@wesxvin]

Ru singing in the background, love that! Born to the a star

[@sw_fit50s]

And he did. Ru has totally has spread his message to the whole world. "Everybody say love" ❤️❤️❤️ can I get an amen up in here 🙏

[@ssarryo]

Do I hear Rupaul singing in the background music?

[@johna837]

you better weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerk. and you did.. and you are the star you dreamed of and you made your vision come true.. you go.

[@MissFlux]

Oh man our Mamma had class ALLLLLLLLLWAYS .. so polite & well spoken. So at ease with the limelight (no pun intended promise) So easily speaks to whom ever. He has been my hero for so long, but if I hadn't seen ALLLLLL these amazing videos from 80' & early90's .. (he was on Telly in Aust by mid 90's) I wouldn't have half the respect that I do now ... and it's a lot. But I wanna hear that music!!!? When Ru talks about his bands I think I imagined something different .. the track playing in the back round is amazing!!? So funky! Ru Paul & Prince make me flood my basement hunty! I just love both their styles. The androgyny has always turned me on. My first love for a man in a wig was when I was about 6 for Tim Curry in Rocky Horror. I never questioned it. My family is insane & had friends who looked like these people so I just went along with my feelings. Just as I'm writing this now I'm thinking .. oooh is that why the other mummy's & daddy's didn't want me playing with their kid? :( Sad .. but lol I get it. Love you Mamma Ru, Thankyou for continuing to inspire us in rewind😬🙌❤️

[@vanityrae83]

the music is wayyy too Loud & Annoying! ! !

[@ungevenstre]

its the 80s.... xD

[@abdimajeed7394]

the 80s were so beautiful😍😍😍

[@kevina.4500]

Thid is just AMAZING. The young RuPaul had a message that he wanted to spread, and boooooy... HE DID!!! :-)

[@AlanLiddell]

WOW

[@zeynepkibar]

Rupaul is the most beautiful person in the world

[@Majeed.]

beautiful person beautiful spirit ❤⚘

[@Nina-fh1bg]

Prophetic. He did what he said he would...and those freckles are everything! 🥰😍

[@RT-vw6yw]

Fascinating, not only the things he was saying here, but fascinating to think about what was going on in the community in 1984 NYC, right as he was moving there.

[@therealsoulproduct]

I'm guessing that's RuPaul's music playing in the background. I was feeling that too. It's got a funky, New Wave vibe to it. Well, we have now seen the superstar Ru has become since then.

[@ripleyriggs876]

He never seemed to let fame get in his head. Always seems pretty down to earth

[@zeynepkibar]

He is sooooooo beautiful

[@artenman]

This was real vlogging unlike the diarrhea we get today on KZbin lol

[@heyheyhey40]

In 1984, my parents hadn’t met each other yet.

[@girlsixdiva]

OMG!!! Where did you find this? Post more of baby RuPaul!

[@86crazy8ts]

How prophetic. I'd love to see Ru's reaction to this video today...

[@nanhaydn1124]

He's beautiful 😍

[@dariuscarlos6707]

Now I’m scared to age, ru was gorgeous omfg I’m gonna cry

[@k.s.1979]

WHATS THE TUNE IN THE BACKGROUND !!!!!?????

[@comicsgrinder]

Very nice! Wow. I love the energy and confidence.

[@Rashy225]

I was like “Ru’s kinda short here” then I realised he was sitting down.

[@NP-yh6nf]

Love u Ru. I went to many of the NMS starting in abt 1986.

[@rouguex4279]

Estaba Bn concentrado en lo q deseaba para su vida y lo logró ,ser conocido en el mundo y hacer su música un ejemplo d superación

[@craigsmith157]

I turned 14 in 1984. I miss the Greenwich Village of the '80s.

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

Is that RuPaul singing in the background?? What song is that?

[@neilweston9268]

Always duch a sweet heart🌻

[@niasimone1740]

Omg his eyes ❣🔥💯😘

[@LeahLeah222]

Just finished reading his memoir. He’s an icon

[@swapmeetsheriffdonknottexp3046]

and u did girl!. great vid. To see were u came fm and we're I was at the time! thank u!

[@avalondreaming1433]

Such a beautiful young man!

[@vidform]

What is the song being played during his talking? I wonder if he comes to YT to watch his old videos.

[@thedarkbaby]

literal icon wow he knew since the beginning

[@boihardwareonyutube]

And as they say, “the rest is history/her story.” 2019

[@VarietyD]

He looks around his early 20s in this video, RuPaul look so cute xx

[@dpcisunbreakable]

I admire his drive!!!!!!

[@celesteratcliffe3891]

what a gorgeous person!

[@wendybutler1681]

My hero. What a beautiful human being.

[@dianadundidit5343]

AND look at YOU NOW! ❤️🥰

[@retrobear9367]

And take off you did! We love you Ru!

[@TS-qq7vr]

That final quirky close-up shot seemed like a total Nelson Sullivan move, whether it was or not.

[@mantronixtube]

wow to be an openly gay black man who cross dresses in the early 80s .... what a strong creature he was

[@vicruac]

omg he was so beautiful, i mean he still is but omg i just love him even more.

[@noname-ni4qi]

i love what he is wearing

[@missshauna5101]

This is soothing my soul..

[@Tybaltish]

And he did!!! RuPaul LOVE💋