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The House of Hidden Meanings

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The House of Hidden Meanings

By: RuPaul
Narrated by: RuPaul
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About this listen

From international drag superstar and pop culture icon RuPaul, comes his most revealing and personal work to date—a brutally honest, surprisingly poignant, and deeply intimate memoir of growing up Black, poor, and queer in a broken home to discovering the power of performance, found family, and self-acceptance. A profound introspection of his life, relationships, and identity, The House of Hidden Meanings is a self-portrait of the legendary icon on the road to global fame and changing the way the world thinks about drag.

Central to RuPaul's success has been his chameleonic adaptability. From drag icon to powerhouse producer of one of the world's largest television franchises, RuPaul's ever-shifting nature has always been part of his brand as both supermodel and supermogul.

Yet that adaptability has made him enigmatic to the public. In this memoir, his most intimate and detailed book yet, RuPaul makes himself truly known.

Stripping away all artifice, RuPaul recounts the story of his life with breathtaking clarity and tenderness, bringing his signature wisdom and wit to his own biography. From his early years growing up as a queer Black kid in San Diego navigating complex relationships with his absent father and temperamental mother, to forging an identity in the punk and drag scenes of Atlanta and New York, to finding enduring love with his husband Georges LeBar and self-acceptance in sobriety, RuPaul excavates his own biography, uncovering new truths and insights in his personal history.

Here in RuPaul's singular and extraordinary story is a manual for living—a personal philosophy that testifies to the value of chosen family, the importance of harnessing what makes you different, and the transformational power of facing yourself fearlessly.

If we're all born naked and the rest is drag, then this is RuPaul totally out of drag. This is RuPaul stripped bare.

PRAISE

'Mama Ru has already given us all so much, so you'd think you have the whole picture. You don't. This memoir is a gift. A vivid masterclass in resilience, glamour, and the pursuit of authenticity.' Rhys Nicholson

©2024 RuPaul (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV LGBTQIA+ Creators Social Sciences Celebrity Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking LGBTQIA+
All stars
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What a story about love and the rawness of life, I love your story Ru Paul, thank you for sharing this with us all.

Beautiful

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Thank you Ru! an authentic voice that made this story so enjoyable. I especially loved hearing you laughing, just sometimes, when you told your story. I cried a little too for that child inside us all...much love

Yes, it's obviously 10s across the board 😊

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I expected so much more, I don’t know why but I would’ve thought that when his stable of talent can produce exceptional work from very short-lived careers, that Ry could write something that was engaging and in-depth and lasted for a little bit longer but clearly writing is not a strong suit

Not bad, not good

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poignant, eloquent, an enriching and equally heartbreaking story. Leaves one uplifted and inspired. How can you love, admirer and respect RuPaul any more… well let me count the ways. Thank you Ru! You are a beacon in a world that can be so dark.

Just beyond! A must read

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Raw, wild, otherworldly n fabulous.
I adored every second of this.
Many hidden meanings.
A breath of fresh air.
🤍

Goosebumps !

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Listening to RuPaul is like floating in a pool on a warm day. Relaxing and enveloping. I enjoyed this a lot but I wanted more. Where’s the rest of the story? I want to know how you got married and began Drag Race. How did you meet Michelle Visage? What happened with Lady Bunny?
I guess there’ll be a sequel right? The next twenty years of RuPaul Charles…

Mother Ru where are you?

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book, I feel the author reading it added to the experience. No holding back, and honest account warts and all. An inspirational read/listen

Insightful, Honest and Candid

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I didn’t really even know who RuPaul was until about 4 years ago (even though I’m the same age),but have since become a huge fan. Loved hearing this story and it was made even better hearing it in his own voice. It’s not only a memoir, but an inspirational tale with life lessons to ponder.

An easy and loveable listen

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His story is a vivid recollection of times past, a vibrant energy & can-do attitude, a descriptive tale of cities, people & experiences that make it a great story. I love when the author reads their book & Ru’s voice is like a stream that bubbles, bounces & bobs along the way. What I wasn’t expecting was the spiritual connotation that cemented the entire story & outlines a true ascended being.

A stunning saga

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A candid review of your life , struggles and good times. We see behind the amazing performer ( behind the curtain) but not in a shocking or tragic way. Its just a part of a life story told. Thank you

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