She’s got charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent; the legendary Queen of Drag, RuPaul, makes herstory with their new Madame Tussauds London figure, featuring a bespoke look created by Zaldy, Emmy Award winning designer and Ru’s long-time collaborator.
Michelle Visage – RuPaul’s right-hand woman known for sharing her fierce opinions as a fellow judge on the iconic TV series
RuPaul’s Drag Race – visited the Baker Street attraction to give her seal of approval on the new figure before it launches to guests.
RuPaul – TV personality, singer, producer, actor and author – has been a cultural staple for more than 30 years. A trailblazer and beacon for the queer industry, the beloved Queen of Drag has inspired millions to be proud to be your
authentic self, showing that we’re all ‘born naked, and the rest is drag’. The phenomenal success of TV series
RuPaul’s Drag Race has credited Mama Ru with popularising drag to the masses. Airing in over 15 countries, with each episode often pulling in more than a million viewers, the show has received several accolades since it first aired in 2009, including
14 Primetime Emmy Awards, three GLAAD Media Awards, and a Tony Award.
On first sight of Ru’s figure at Madame Tussauds London, Michelle Visage said,
“It’s GORGEOUS! The teeth, the lips, the nails. It’s like I’m at home and with Ru! Fans and guests will love this figure, the artists have made this so beautifully and I see Ru. Everything drag stands for – authenticity, being daring and not afraid to
be who you truly are – is reflected in this gorgeous figure.
I also love that I’ve made it on the dress!! Zaldy, Ru’s longtime designer, who exclusively made this beautiful dress for Madame Tussauds London, has put me in the favours as one of the most important women in Ru’s life. What
an honour. I’m so excited for the world to see how gorgeous this is”.
RuPaul’s dazzling figure launches in the attraction’s new
Fashion Runway experience, opening as London Fashion Week celebrates 40 momentous years. This is RuPaul’s fourth figure across Madame Tussauds globally, and marks Madame Tussaud London’s first figure in drag.
In true glamazon fashion, the statuesque figure is dressed in a bespoke look created by Ru’s long-term collaborator and go-to designer, Zaldy. Responsible for the incredible looks RuPaul serves on every
Drag Race episode, Zaldy took inspiration from British Royal fashion to design the exclusive look for the figure. The dress’s silhouette nods to Royal sashes, while the embellished ‘R’ earrings put a modern twist on one of the most recognised items of
jewellery worn by a British monarch, Anne Boleyn’s famous ‘B’ initial pearl necklace. The look is completed with a set of Royal Orders, featuring Zaldy’s selection of the three most iconic women in RuPaul’s life: Michelle Visage, Diana Ross and Oprah Winfrey.
On creating the exclusive dress for Madame Tussaud London’s RuPaul figure, fashion and costume designer Zaldy Goco said,
“I was delighted with the chance to create RuPaul’s exclusive dress for Madame Tussauds London. Straight away, my thought process was that it should be in true style to how we produce RuPaul’s outfits
for Drag Race. I wanted it to be an authentic representation of what Ru wears, to make it this glamorous statement, and make it big. Each piece I do with Ru is built for a moment, it’s permanent and resonates with the person. This bespoke creation for Madame
Tussauds London, for Ru, and for the fashion zone, is full of all the emotions that you feel when working with Ru: fun, joy and happiness.”
The figure will be available for fans to meet from 9th February 2024 at Madame Tussauds London in the
brand new
Fashion Runway experience. Starring the models, designers and icons defining the modern fashion world, RuPaul’s figure will be joined in the new zone by names such as Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, Victoria Beckham and Harry Styles.
