Michelle Visage Enters 'Celebrity Big Brother': 9 Facts In 90 Seconds On The 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Judge (PICS)
What's The T - Who Is Michelle Visage?
Daniel Welsh— The Huffington Post UK
|
There are two types of people in the world. There are those who love Michelle Visage. And there are those who will learn to love her when they get to know her.
As a regular judge on the cult favourite ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, Michelle has charmed audiences with her sense of humour and no-nonsense attitude, and now she’s about to help spread the message of love, peace and lace-front wigs here in the UK, thanks to her surprise appearance in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house.
Open Image Modal
Michelle Visage
One of several Americans on this year’s line-up, Michelle started out young on the New York club scene, quickly being embraced on the gay underground circuit and partying with legends like the House of Ninjas, who were famed for their immaculate vogueing during the 1980s.
From there, she managed to land herself a career in showbiz, first as a singer and later as a TV and radio presenter, before eventually bagging her biggest job to date as the right-hand woman to the Glamazon goddess, RuPaul.
For those not in the know, believe us when we tell you Michelle is going to be one to watch as this year’s ‘CBB’ rolls on. She may love a laugh, but this self-confessed “bitch with a heart of gold” isn’t scared of spilling tea or throwing shade, either - as fans of ‘Drag Race’ (as well as a few of its contestants) will attest to.
Here are some basic facts about Michelle, to help you get to know her a little better...
Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
Michelle Shupack was born in New Jersey, and is better known as Michelle Visage, a name that was given to her when she started going out in New York gay clubs - where else would it have been? - at the age of 17. (credit:Mark Davis via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
Despite tending to jokingly introduce herself with "Hi I'm Michelle Visage and I'm a drag queen", she says: "If you look online it says Michelle Visage is a man, the list goes on and on, but I am 100 per cent biologically female."In fact, Michelle is married with two teenage daughters. (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
As a child, animal-lover Michelle wanted to be a vet, until her mum alerted her to the fact that she would have to euthanise dogs. So she settled on a career in showbiz instead. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
After Seduction sadly split, Michelle tried a career in rap, providing for vocals for The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M., with their single 'It's Gonna Be A Lovely Day' featuring on the soundtrack to 'The Bodyguard' - the only song on the album not to be performed by Whitney Houston. (credit:Ben Gabbe via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
Nowadays, though, Michelle is better known as Ru's right-hand woman on 'RuPaul's Drag Race', dishing out her own unique brand of straight-talking advice and critiques to the aspiring drag queens on the show.Here she is with the winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars', Chad Michaels. (credit:Imeh Akpanudosen via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
It'll be interesting to see how Michelle gets on during the series, particularly on a night time, as she doesn't drink, claiming: "I never liked alcohol... perhaps it's the Virgo thing in me." (credit:Press Line Photos/Splash News)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
And while we're used to seeing Michelle coiffed and polished, it sounds as though it might be a different story as the weeks roll on in the 'CBB' house - she recently confessed she needs to have her hair done by a pro because she can't style it herself, joking: "Listen, I’m from New Jersey and I know how to do one hairstyle it’s big and it’s 1980’s. So it’ll never happen. If I do my own hair it’s in a bun. You know if my hair is in a bun I did it. I do a fierce f***ing bun." (credit:Mireya Acierto via Getty Images)
Michelle Visage: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
As a regular judge on one of the biggest LGBT shows in the world, Michelle says she's always been an advocate for gay rights, claiming she hopes the gay community in the UK will be voting for her during 'CBB'.She told producers: "They are my blood, they are my lifeline, they run through my veins." (credit:Vincent Sandoval via Getty Images)