The RuPaul Show (1997) - RuPaul and Michelle Visage go to a night club in New Jersey

[@Rebel.heartt]

Asking ms Visage if she’s a drag queen is literally me watching rpdr the first time

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!!

[@hunnybeee6702]

I thought she was untill I checked it out.. much love to all drag queens, but I was stoked she was a woman xox

[@raaid22]

I prefer this hair on her

[@ab-yf9uy]

Plenty of drag queens are women lol (both cis and trans women). And Michelle may not consider herself a queen but she's a drag artist; she participated in drag balls and came up in the culture with Ru.

[@chiyonofuji9479]

Same here 😂

[@marceloF1]

Michelle visage has always been a ally to the community what a icon she is

[@SeanWarren]

Say what you want about Michelle but no one can say she didn't always have our back.

[@theuniverseisme432]

She’s always majorly kissed his ass as well.

[@OmoAzojuano]

@@SeanWarren Only reason I like her…sometimes I disagree with her comments but she’s Mother Ally, can’t help but think she also contributed to change and tolerance, as I can just imagine how many people she showed and spoke to let them know hey it’s ok to be straight and love gay people.

[@markhousel2712]

Neither do anything for their community other than be visible.

[@SeanWarren]

@@markhousel2712 What else do you want?

[@doginthecity9635]

How cool that VH1 had the balls to make this show and it aired across the world... Well done....

[@tajsimms8976]

And now vh1 airs rpdr, everything came full circle

[@onixotto]

Actually the media and people are much more homophobic and conservative nowadays.

[@Zippyzappy339]

True!! Trailblazing!

[@doginthecity9635]

@SUBSCRIBO Go back into your cave.

[@locjake7230]

Because back then was the worst for hating

[@skp6613]

Look at little baby Michelle! Awww. It’s also crazy how Rupaul has looked pretty much exactly the same since 1990 lol

[@dutchguy1363]

Rupaul looks even better now! Its insane 🤣

[@elinahailie]

yes, we all age, but he has an.ageless face

[@lithara5302]

About 6 years ago or so the way Ru was wearing her makeup and wigs mad her looki just like Tyra Banks.

[@skp6613]

@@lithara5302 definitely!

[@liamramsay2264]

Black don't crack

[@user-qv9vl2mi6y]

The fact he was openly himself back in the 90s when is was honestly “tolerated” to be different speaks volumes and shows how strong Ru really is, kudos to him for always living in his truth 💯🙌❤️

[@DeepSeas..]

It wasn’t tolerated lol

[@cherryfairyy]

This kinda makes me sad bc I feel like things are regressing now but maybe just bc I went from a blue state to a red state in especially feeling that way

[@frida.7831]

@@cherryfairyy Nah, don´t get too caught up for it. We have always found resistance in our fight, but without a doubt we have so much better conditions than only half a century ago. Don't live your life with fear, live it with respect and happiness

[@xxkarlosxxxxxx7233]

@@frida.7831 exactly spoken like the queen herself u live up to that name

[@michaelr5100]

@@cherryfairyy Things aren’t regressing, it’s just that progress moved very quickly and now there’s some backlash

[@JustMe-xz2ls]

The funny thing is, the 90s was actually really an abysmal time, really not a gay-friendly decade at all. For all you youngsters commenting on this video I would want you to know that this video was not typical. Vh1 did show some stuff produced by World of Wonder in the late 90s. However, the mainstream was extremely bland and conservative. You need to look back at the 80s. That decade was nuts. Truly colourful, diverse, fun, experimental, wild, avantgarde. Gay pop stars were at the top of the charts. An androgyny craze, with Boy George looking like a woman and Annie Lennox looking like a man. It was an incredible time. The 90s hit and it was like a backlash. Everything became drab. So as for me, growing up through that time, I have to say the 80s seemed much more accepting, and the 90s were kind of scary

[@SeanWarren]

Very well said!!!

[@claytonjames4779]

I grew up in the 80s but mostly as a 90s kid. Graduated year 2000. I never felt that the world was a safe place for lgbtq people. Until we see ourselves in the world and in a positive light, that's when any suppressed people find safety and respect

[@conatcha]

Agree completely. And also in the 80's we didn't have this hideous political correct censorship we have today .

[@pjfunkk]

I loved growing up in the 90's!

[@JustMe-xz2ls]

@@pjfunkk I am okay with the 90s too because I made some great memories, lifelong friends, and met my husband etc.

[@jo_mesquita]

The arrow with the "actual heterosexual" had me dying LMAO 🤣

[@Molly-tv5sv]

I CACKLED

[@giselecarrera437]

Rare species lol

[@arbeleg]

This is straight up UNHhhh editors' origin story 💀

[@sandralujan1199]

Me too!!! I miss this kind of TV, everyone is so sensitive now.

[@b-six-twelve]

I just wanna know who the man in the thumbnail is because damn

[@swtvic]

this is so crazy, i don't think michelle would've imagined the future being a permanent judge on rupaul's show that ended up being this big

[@IanHumito]

This is the reason why I always do a face palm when they see current ru Paul and say she does nothing and she barely moves, like hunn, she's been doing big moves shaking the queer and drag culture into mainstream for 30+ years. Sure she's a controversial character but she's done some cool stuff

[@fotini777]

Evil

[@fuckdogmas4999]

@@fotini777 You are a demon ! 😉

[@PabloEmanuel96]

Me too I don't agree with everything she's doing now But I still respect her so much, because of all her work She run so we could cat walk

[@josefinarivia]

i think she looks amazing, I mean shes been in the business for so long and shes older now. She's just grown up and she always looks so in control and confident now when shes on the main stage. I mean, shes 62 so I think we can forgive her for not moving the same as she did when she was 35.

[@cinderellacomplex7]

Also she's in her 60s now. What do they expect?

[@casandrabarnes-oq9fy]

To share this journey with your girl is everything. That's why they finish each others sentences.

[@tegztegz]

Honestly, say what you will about either of them individually or together, they are bff goals

[@Tom-ul3gb]

honestly!

[@jenuinelyjenni5237]

I used to watch Ru as a kid . One day I asked my mom , why is she so tall? He said well that's a man in a dress. And I just said ok lol I'm 32 now and I still watch Ru! I also didn't recognize Michelle!

[@leonessbutterfly8813]

I always thought RuPaul was sooo pretty! Love love love. Used to even get RuPaul and Tyra mixed up.

[@MaeyiQuinn]

did you never see a tall woman before or?..

[@elinahailie]

I didnt recognise Michelle either, even tho she is sitting right there 😀

[@prismatism]

@@MaeyiQuinn LBR, Ru is a tall man to begin with. Put him in heels and he’ll tower over everyone lol

[@bloodtippedrose]

Yes! I admired RU as a kid as well, especially the song SUPERMODEL. Its the beauty and confidence!! ❤️

[@Zippyzappy339]

"To see RuPAWWL" 🤣 I love their Jersey accent! Also this video is pretty nostalgic and I'm not even a nineties baby 🥹 and Rob was cute and so innocent lmao

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!! I love how he asks Michelle if she is a drag queen. LOL!!!

[@RaquelPereira-fj4kt]

you mean a 70s ou 80s baby. a 90s baby wouldn't remember this.

[@Zippyzappy339]

@@RaquelPereira-fj4kt You're right they wouldn't lol But what I meant was that the video was from the nineties and it had the aesthetic of that decade

[@beebeedeeie]

this is made in 1997 yet this is still the future wow everything is still funny and great! Rupaul is an icon!

[@fotini777]

Evil human beings

[@brijmsn]

1997 was a great year. Giant billboards of shirtless hunks all over New York City. The fashion industry at its peak. Everything was more affordable and down to earth. Great time to be alive and gay if you lived in the city.

[@broadwaywes]

This segment brings me so much joy, we’ve both come so far and have so far to go.

[@SeanWarren]

yes, indeed!

[@brijmsn]

It really seems like nothing has changed in over 20 years in the big scheme of things.

[@flenif2247]

I barely recognized Michelle Visage!!!

[@guttocg]

she is bitter now lol

[@flenif2247]

@@guttocg Who isn't by that age? Lol

[@DylanRomanov]

She looks good then and now

[@fayis4everlove]

She looks better now

[@godofgrudge4532]

She looks like the Wicked Witch

[@olivermerth5179]

Bruh, this was filmed a year before I was born, so basically at that time my parents were having fun like these people

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!! Interesting!!!

[@christyfielding7498]

I feel so old I was 19 in 1997! Yeah hard to imagine your parents at the club huh? 😂

[@StLProgressive]

We sure were, lol. My son’s the same age as you are.

[@StLProgressive]

@@christyfielding7498 Damn straight we were.

[@clarissamoll666]

How to make everything about you 😂

[@MadamCharChar]

She made her own pit crew back in the day

[@Tom-ul3gb]

got ‘em from the Streets , Day Walking

[@hotfishfromsharktale]

It is so fucking amazing to see RuPaul being his genuine self throughout the entirety of his life. I have to utmost respect and love for that queen

[@krisvallejo74]

For people who try to hate on Ru and Michelle just look at the doors this two lovely ladies have opened for a whole community. Love, inclusion, open minds. Im so in awe of these 2 human beings EVERYBODY SAY LOVE!!

[@LovelyNayru]

Michelle looks DARLING & so magical with red hair!!!

[@jinxmas]

clubs used to be a LOT of fun back then!

[@SeanWarren]

You know!!!! They no longer exist like that. Everybody went clubbing in the 90s!!!

[@xoxoxoxo6996]

The shade to Michelle “are you a drag queen?” Oh my god🤣 im laughing hard

[@kimbaya4816]

I love that they were both like WELLLLLLL

[@Jays6926]

Or did he find her cute and wanted to know if she was his “type.”

[@melpomenathemuse]

When I watched Drag race for the first time, I had the same question.

[@bernardsoul5186]

Drag queens accentuate and exaggerate everything that is feminine and attractive (at least that style of drag back then), so for him to ask that was actually a compliment

[@thatweirdanimalcrossingchick]

I'm so glad they're still close after all these years. And they both still look great!

[@annaelisavettavonnedozza9607]

Michelle is THE ally & legitimacy the only celeb I would be star struck in front of-I absolutely ❤️her. Beautiful, kind woman

[@captainteeko4579]

“Oranges” they both said it so in sync lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jassypr]

This was 1997 and her wig is laid

[@lucio.martinez]

It's Rupaul, btch! Hahaha

[@Nico-ed7st]

legends only

[@mermaidprettymuch]

Rupaul was the first person that I ever saw with a lace wig. And it was this show/era and I was amazed.

[@uniqueproblem5961]

“Are you a drag queen?" 🤣😂

[@SeanWarren]

I fell out!!!!

[@Anonymous-fb1qu]

The way he asks so innocently is so funny

[@SeanWarren]

@@Anonymous-fb1qu LOL!!!!

[@MeMe-ry1oj]

fracking aside RuPaul has really contributed a lot to the LGBTQ+ community

[@MrGaga35]

Like literally! And now with her show! I would say she’s the most influential gay icon of all time

[@mostxrad]

What the frack does fracking have to do with the LGBTQ community?

[@MeMe-ry1oj]

@@mostxrad lol are you serious? I'm not saying fracking is associated with the community, I'm clearly trying to say that despite him doing problematic things he has done some good.

[@kogamena]

@@mostxrad read it again

[@skp6613]

@@MeMe-ry1oj what exactly happened with that? Did she get in trouble or?

[@jlew3275]

Gosh they were so ahead of their time lol All the gags and word play etc That’s why I love Drag Race

[@Delicious1922]

97 was such an awesome year!!! I loved this show

[@bealambwouldya]

😂they all gave me the vibes that they were secretly gay but back then didn’t want to be out casted

[@SeanWarren]

@@brianpoirier9120 I did not get any vibes that they were secretly gay. They all have no style.

[@brianpoirier9120]

Me ether

[@SeanWarren]

@@brianpoirier9120 I recorded all this stuff back in the day on VHS and I am going through the process of transferring them to digital.

[@brianpoirier9120]

@@SeanWarren what stuff

[@SeanWarren]

@@brianpoirier9120 I recorded all of these videos that I am posting back in the day.

[@Hola_Carlos]

Such good times & to see the fruits of all their hard work & friendship 💕

[@Alex-wp8nk]

I see the title michelle visage & while watching the video, my thought ; where is she? After 4 minutes watching it, wait a minute, is that her? I then recognise the voice. Omg, it is her. I don’t recognise at first. 😂

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!!!😅😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣

[@loljk6351]

She slightly looks like Madonna.. Idunno if it is just me?

[@tysonb3568]

The lighter hair is really different on her.

[@SeanWarren]

@@loljk6351 For some reason, she has always reminded me of Madonna!!!

[@MrGaga35]

Lol this was almost 30 years ago. We get older but you can deff see her in the face and deff the voice. That is ms Michelle! Still the same girl, and same with rupaul. They haven’t changed at all and we live that 💕

[@notanotherbystander]

I think the queen who’s most alike to this rupaul in every aspect might be Shangela. I guess that’s why Ru believed in her so much because she may have seen herself in Shangie.

[@SeanWarren]

I have never thought of it like that and in retrospect, I see it as well.

[@shymultimedia]

When dude said the reason why he came to the show was because “…my friend Joelle said it was free, so…” 🤣 OMG Rupaul tried to pass what he said by laughing but Michelle didn’t smile AT ALL when he said that! I was SO embarrassed for them!

[@amandabourke796]

I used to watch Ru's show back in the day.. I have ALWAYS loved her and appreciate so much what she's done for the LGBTQ+ community and drag in general. I'm a bi female and LOOOVE drag!

[@jacobrivasjr]

Where did it come on

[@veen-a2092]

weather those men are closet gay or not I personally think that they like going to club like that cause it is a place they're appreciated and they can be crazy and have fun without "society" judging them I think thats why a lot of straight men likes drag shows cause they feel appreciated

[@SeanWarren]

We should be happy to see stuff like this, straight people at a drag show...it means progress in the making. I can't stand when tired queens wanna think or speculate that the guys are gay. Just let people be, ya know?

[@SeanWarren]

@loveutill theendoftimes I AGREE!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@TheBroccoliFox]

This was fantastic. Amazing how much those two have accomplished over the years. They are invaluable.

[@ThankYouPain09]

My dad fell asleep and this would come on, and I remember as a kid thinking RuPaul was a very tall blonde lady

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!!!!!!

[@Grant-dx3qt]

and you were correct

[@sgd.6830]

I love Rupaul and Michelle together, there love and friendship has been super beautiful for so many years. Tbh for years I automatically thought Michelle was a drag queen, I think purely because of how relaxed and accepting she is 💕🌈

[@fergussaint-john2535]

I remember tuning in for this on VH1 back in the day. so brilliant to see the show again, thankyou for the upload

[@AgrianRamos]

I used to watch this back when i was in high school

[@lashaaawn]

Kudos mama Ru. Thanks for that. For spilling.

[@anthonyhebisen]

Girl , that underwear band with the label “ structure “. It’s been 84 years , and I can still remember the fresh paint.

[@ericlopez9107]

Dang, 25 years just flew by!!!😨😨🤤

[@justycel4155]

Thank you, Rupaul, for making everybody feel welcome! You look amazing then and now!!! Your personality is a shining light in this world!!!

[@__jonathancalderon]

Ru serving body-ody-ody!

[@PrinceMarvel7]

I was born on this year and I’ve been missing this entire video my entire life until I watched it rn. This is so cool and seeing how they were so progressive at that time and still now… they literally raised me🌌

[@ThatFont]

Looking at their history really makes me appreciate how far they’ve come

[@SeanWarren]

That can be applied to any oppressed group. The question is why do people make other groups struggle because of their hatred of them?

[@reedax8778]

Michelle earned her right to be a judge. I don't get why is Raja questioning her about it 😅

[@pariahcarey1712]

Michelle is not a drag queen... She's just a friend of one.

[@robertg7249]

neither the other judges

[@reedax8778]

@@pariahcarey1712 Ross and Carson isn't drag queens as well. 😅

[@reedax8778]

@@pariahcarey1712 Fred, host of Drag Race Holland isn't a Drag Queen as well. 😉

[@jamaljamal6169]

@@pariahcarey1712 Michelle knows more about being a drag queen than most drag queens. She can literally tell each contestant what they did wrong with their outfit or makeup or hair.

[@ufos-cos]

When i was a kid, I didn’t even know or realize that Rupaul was a man. He just looked like a tall blonde model to me.

[@TheAqaqaqaqaqaq]

Damn! This was put out the same year I was born.. Ru: "I'm gonna key your fuckin' Car." 😩😂😂😂

[@SeanWarren]

😁😁😁😁

[@solomoon3083]

Despite all of Ru’s greediness and shade (and possibly being a clone lol) she really paved a road that was begging to be paved.

[@lissette3949]

A clone???

[@bombast718]

Greediness??? She's a businessman. Those queens don't live on a commune.

[@robsan9017]

Sorry man, but the only "clone" here is you cloning what the bitter former drag race queens say because they think Ru should hold their hands at every turn of their lives after drag race. Yawn

[@matthewf5668]

@@robsan9017 Rob San THANK YOU. The lunacy of these NO-NAME-BEFORE-THE-SHOW queens treating Rupaul like a pariah because she's not trying to be their bestie after the show. SHE IS BUSY....RUNNING....AN....EMPIRE. It's so egocentric. Same for all the former contestants of ANTM when talking about Tyra. They all need to get over themselves and be grateful that they even have a platform because of the business acumen of these successful icons.

[@gra-emed3617]

loving these comments! I totally agree. The queens who go and slate ru for not asking them back for all stars or doesn’t become their best friend after the show or give them more money for, I don’t know what. Those queens who pull that sht are all just egotistical, self obsessed and demanding.

[@ceostudio]

Michelle in her Ariel era I love it

[@GamingByNat]

Mischelle really is giving me bitch I’m Madonna

[@troyspruiel8138]

It was definitely hard to miss Rupaul back in this time she was everywhere on tv and I was & still will always remain a fan 🙌🏾🙌🏾💯💯💯

[@MakemeupMentor]

Lmaoo when he said saks it took me out 😂

[@SeanWarren]

LOL!!!!

[@mlancholia3176]

That's so weird, seems like there was less toxic masculinity back in the day. Idk if heterosexual men could be that confortable in a drag Queen show today... That's sad we missed this era ! Hopefully the fact that the drag culture is getting mainstream, hope it would get better 🙏🏾 Of course thanks to RuPaul for his work in the community

[@livesquad2810]

Completely agree, tocix masculinity does seem to be worse nowadays.

[@alexprieto4815]

America went backwards as of the post 9/11 and the return of War culture

[@shanibloome]

Everyone just wanted to have fun in the 90’s and we all got along (expect for the hicks lol)

[@pelayo341]

@S B did the blax pick u yet?

[@sunnesunne4039]

Or is was more homophobic and alot of those men weren't actually "straight "

[@anniethorndike8946]

Michelle Visage was an ACTOR, a figure of action in the community since long ago. She's asking these guys dangerous questions that make them uncomfortable and being unapologetic about it. Her character on the media feels like a smidgen of what she's done for the community. I hold her in such high regard.

[@drew2789]

I love how Michelle looks so different while Ru looks basically the same

[@mrqs1549]

Ru opened the door for all the drags to show their art. He deserves respect. Michelle is just a sweet heart. Always has been an ally.

[@JoshSource]

DID KZbin JUST RECOMMEND THIS VINTAGE VIDEO TO ALL OF US?

[@BambieLashay]

"its probably huge" sent me 🤣

[@AmaanStorm]

They were pretty attractive men they featured back then. Ru couldn't keep her hands off the straight guy lol. Thanks for the upload BTW. I'm now slowly slipping down that 90's rabbit hole again 😂

[@ignazs.5816]

The 90s was the last amazing decade.

[@egel7736]

@@ignazs.5816 The 00s were pretty rad, too!

[@selmahare]

In terms of straight guy hotness te 90s were the best.

[@emanuelcarvalho8510]

so wild to see that this was recorded in 1997, the year I was born :´)

[@sadiepeterson1756]

Love it! Telling the future you two ✨

[@itsthepens]

37 year old Ru and 29 year old Michelle, glorious to look back and see their chemistry was there from the start

[@D.A.Gates73]

I'm gonna say it. It's so uncanny how similar that Michelle is to Madonna. Same SAS, confidence and beauty. 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

[@adrianbecker6853]

The 1990s was a lot of fun !!! 😇

[@TheClosetRatchet]

This is soooo cute lol wow. They were about the age I am now, I just turned 30 on July 16th. Their journey is so inspiring.

[@walkintovelvet]

We have the same birthday! Happy belated birthday

[@jolene81]

I just turned 41 on July 16th!! WOOHOOO! Hey My fellow Crabby Patties. I was 17 when this came out.

[@kaiarevalo2952]

Damnnn! Watching the video feels like we went backwards. People seemed to be more accepting and tolerant before.

[@irudesan1650]

The "Actual heterosexual" thing was hilaroussss

[@giselecarrera437]

We all need a Michelle visage in our lives

[@RosesOfSaturn]

I love Rupaul.. Such a gentle soul

[@RaquelPereira-fj4kt]

if you think RuPaul is a gentle sould or even a good person you know nothing about him. he's a terrible human being

[@cassieleonard1433]

@@RaquelPereira-fj4kt why do you say that?

[@RaquelPereira-fj4kt]

each time I see the gentle soul commentary I don't know if I laugh or cry, he's an ass*ole. gentle soul 😂 even if he wasn't mean he would still not be a gentle soul. the way he treats the queens . the way he talks in his podcast, disgusting. I listened to 3 episodes and had to give up.

[@shanibloome]

How did I miss this show completely in 1997??? So cute!

[@AGGARessiv3]

they were making history like today. love them

[@lgran79]

Omg! I remember sneaking to watch this when i was a teenager, bc it was on really late at night 🌙

[@D.A.Gates73]

Wow. Thank you for just taking me down memory lane. I can't believe how long ago this was. Gawd we were soooo young 😳 Michelle showing her stomach off. You go girl!!!!

[@jay_ooh]

God Life in the clubs was so damn fun back then... Late 90s early 2000s was the it time to go to the clubs so Nostalgic seeing this video!

[@FFSong-cf3ck]

Good to know I was born into such an Iconic year

[@melsyoutube]

god they’ve always been BEAUTIFUL and so charismatic

[@nerdguru86]

What a blast from the past.... 😊😊😊

[@AVIANAESMERALDASZISTENNO]

I was born a year after this, I’m so glad she made this career an opportunity

[@wildebloom]

Michelle smashed it! So great on camera !

[@witherton8340]

Watching this I was like "when will Michelle show up" then I realized it was the brunette girl LMAO

[@LucasBorioMakeUp]

The actual heterosexual rob is a daaaddyyyy

[@russkendrick8981]

I was dead at "He stuffs his bra with ORANGES" LOL!!!!

[@DelilahDee]

I remember me and my mom being visibly upset when this show was cancelled back in the day, she was OUR Oprah for a bit in the 90s lol

[@jakeybryant]

Baby Michelle was so adorable 🥹

[@samgrg3882]

Actual heterosexual to michelle - Are you a drag queen? Michelle - was that a question or a read?

[@chrisocmand6188]

Ru and Michelle have always been so damn gorg ❤

[@miguellyon82]

And almost 10 years later, RuPaul started our engines with RuPauls Drag Race, and every LGBTQIA+ kid out there was dreaming about becoming a Drag Queen!!!

[@SpongeAddict-gw6mo]

Yaaaas I remember the first time I saw RU I had mad respect and straight men loved her that was a breakthrough for real

[@SeanWarren]

Ain't it weird how we have gone so far backwards?

[@miasamarron9692]

Im gay i come out at 2005 years and we got a girl friend who always follow and support us like Michelle and rupaul, we call her the emperatriz of gays yay.

[@SeanWarren]

I love hearing stuff like that. Glad you had a friend who supported you.

[@Rcmkney23]

Lmao when he looked at Michelle and asked “are u a drag queen…?” The shaaade

[@phillipchoate550]

ok stumbling on this on a Friday night of all nights my scalp is gooped gathered gobbled and gone

My mom watched this and i watched it with her every time that i could. We live in texas so yes rupaul love has been alive in the south forever. 😊 I love it. Rupaul is truly eternal- hasnt aged at all.

[@mary-janegreen1513]

🤯 woooowwwww mind = blown !! Ive seen a lot of photos of Ru back in the day but have never seen footage like this!! Wow I am so envious of her relationship with Michelle!! They are so damn adorable ❤

[@skyenolimit6209]

So we just gonna ignore Mother Ru's snatched BAWDY!