• The House of Hidden Meanings

  • A Memoir
  • By: RuPaul
  • Narrated by: RuPaul
  • Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (894 ratings)

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The House of Hidden Meanings  By  cover art

The House of Hidden Meanings

By: RuPaul
Narrated by: RuPaul
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Publisher's summary

Read by Ru Paul

***An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!***

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.

In The House of Hidden Meanings, RuPaul strips away all artifice and 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 life-story, 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.

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. “I've always loved to view the world with analytical eyes, examining what lies beneath the surface. Here, the focus is on my own life—as RuPaul Andre Charles,” says RuPaul.

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

©2024 RuPaul Charles (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

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What listeners say about The House of Hidden Meanings

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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RuPaul Education Charles

This is a must listen for anybody who’s been a fan of Ru’s. It’s a beautiful, poignant peek into someone’s life who has been a staple of the entertainment industry and has knocked down walls to create space for queer people.

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The RuPaul memoir I always wanted

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this from Mama Ru herself. I couldn’t stop listening. Loto learn the herstory behind my hero.

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Absolutely Incredible!

Ru’s narration was perfect and this story was absolutely incredible! Please do yourself a favor and get this audiobook!

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nothing hidden

nothing hidden in the meaning of Rupaul is EVERYTHING! undeniable rupaul was meant to be a star and made sure destiny was fulfilled! Xoxo from everyone who’s been through anything close to what ru did cuz they now know this too shall pass and that everything can be a part of what is gonna make u, u! And ain’t nothing wrong with you as long as u ain’t hurt in nobody! Love Ru!

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It held me captive.

Ru said it himself, there’s something special about hearing your story from another person. The details are different, but the emotions are the same. I couldn’t stop listening. He conveyed his feelings with ease and welcomed me into a place of vulnerability that most shy away from. 10/10.

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Entertaining with deep messaging. Well-done!

Love RuPaul and loved this book. It was well-written and well-narrated. Not only is it entertaining and fun hearing about the crazy disco days, but also has deep and meaningful messaging regarding RuPaul's personal and professional struggles. Definitely recommend!

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love rupaul’s sweet spirit

There was nothing to dislike about this book. I loved listening to him share his story!

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Dream It, Want It, Work For It

An exceptional story from an exceptional person who shares their life’s journey with honesty, clarity and humor.

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Increíble!

Realmente una delicia de escucha, RuPaul como siempre un gran pensante! Bravo jdkdnkx jffj knfd

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Relatable and wow!

Thank you, RuPaul for sharing your unique and thought provoking story. Here’s to more love as life unfolds!

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