The House of Hidden Meanings
A Memoir
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $25.19
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
RuPaul
-
By:
-
RuPaul
About this listen
***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 deeply intimate memoir of discovery, found family, and self-acceptance. 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 PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
-
GuRu
- By: RuPaul
- Narrated by: RuPaul, Michelle Visage
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A timeless collection of philosophies from renaissance performer and the world’s most famous shape-shifter RuPaul, whose sage outlook has created an unprecedented career for more than 35 years. GuRu illustrates the concept of building the life you want from the outside in and the inside out.
-
-
Do not purchase
- By Robb on 11-30-18
By: RuPaul
-
The Diva Rules
- Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength, and Sparkle Your Way to the Top
- By: Michelle Visage
- Narrated by: Michelle Visage
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michelle Visage is not your average diva. Powerful, positive, and polished, this diva's not only glamorous, she's a savvy businesswoman with serious credentials who works her tail off. From her days vogueing in the downtown Manhattan clubs in the '90s to her successful career in radio and her ultimate cult status as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, Michelle has achieved her dreams and then some!
-
-
A Whole Lot of Nothing
- By teal on 04-29-16
By: Michelle Visage
-
Blame It on Bianca Del Rio
- The Expert on Nothing with an Opinion on Everything
- By: Bianca Del Rio
- Narrated by: Bianca Del Rio
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to insult comics, Bianca Del Rio is in a class by herself. Fierce, funny, and fabulous - a would-be love child sired by John Waters and birthed by Joan Rivers - Bianca sandblasted her name in the annals of pop culture on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Thanks to her snarky frankness, impeccable comedic timing, and politically incorrect humor, she became the show’s breakout star, winning its sixth season. In Blame It on Bianca Del Rio, Bianca shares her opinions loudly and proudly, offering raucous, hilarious, no-holds-barred commentary on annoyances, big and small.
-
-
Works on stage, not as a disembodied voice
- By Tuscancat on 05-25-18
By: Bianca Del Rio
-
Bits and Pieces
- My Mother, My Brother, and Me
- By: Whoopi Goldberg
- Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time.
-
-
Outstanding, funny heartfelt, and toughing. life lessons
- By auntduke on 05-07-24
By: Whoopi Goldberg
-
Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood
- By: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Narrated by: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Length: 3 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Katya have long captivated fans with their stunning looks, onscreen chemistry, and signature wit. In Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood, the pair channels that energy into an old-school etiquette guide for ladies. In essays, conversations, and how-to sections, Trixie and Katya will advise listeners on beauty and fashion and tackle other vital components of a happy home, such as money, self-love, and friendship; sharing advice and personal stories in high-concept fashion.
-
-
Great follow up after reading the Bible
- By Matthew on 07-14-20
By: Trixie Mattel, and others
-
And Don't F&%k It Up
- An Oral History of RuPaul's Drag Race (The First Ten Years)
- By: World of Wonder, Maria Elena Fernandez
- Narrated by: Alec Mapa
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Told over the first ten years, And Don't F&%k It Up tells a cultural history through the stories of the people who lived it: the creators of the show, the contestants, the crew, the judges, and even some key (famous) fans. It begins with RuPaul's decades-long friendship and business relationship with World of Wonder Productions, the entertainment company that helped launch him into superstardom, and later talked him into giving a drag reality show a chance.
-
-
The people who wrote this…you are safe, you may step to the back of the stage
- By exBFF on 06-26-23
By: World of Wonder, and others
-
GuRu
- By: RuPaul
- Narrated by: RuPaul, Michelle Visage
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A timeless collection of philosophies from renaissance performer and the world’s most famous shape-shifter RuPaul, whose sage outlook has created an unprecedented career for more than 35 years. GuRu illustrates the concept of building the life you want from the outside in and the inside out.
-
-
Do not purchase
- By Robb on 11-30-18
By: RuPaul
-
The Diva Rules
- Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength, and Sparkle Your Way to the Top
- By: Michelle Visage
- Narrated by: Michelle Visage
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michelle Visage is not your average diva. Powerful, positive, and polished, this diva's not only glamorous, she's a savvy businesswoman with serious credentials who works her tail off. From her days vogueing in the downtown Manhattan clubs in the '90s to her successful career in radio and her ultimate cult status as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, Michelle has achieved her dreams and then some!
-
-
A Whole Lot of Nothing
- By teal on 04-29-16
By: Michelle Visage
-
Blame It on Bianca Del Rio
- The Expert on Nothing with an Opinion on Everything
- By: Bianca Del Rio
- Narrated by: Bianca Del Rio
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to insult comics, Bianca Del Rio is in a class by herself. Fierce, funny, and fabulous - a would-be love child sired by John Waters and birthed by Joan Rivers - Bianca sandblasted her name in the annals of pop culture on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Thanks to her snarky frankness, impeccable comedic timing, and politically incorrect humor, she became the show’s breakout star, winning its sixth season. In Blame It on Bianca Del Rio, Bianca shares her opinions loudly and proudly, offering raucous, hilarious, no-holds-barred commentary on annoyances, big and small.
-
-
Works on stage, not as a disembodied voice
- By Tuscancat on 05-25-18
By: Bianca Del Rio
-
Bits and Pieces
- My Mother, My Brother, and Me
- By: Whoopi Goldberg
- Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time.
-
-
Outstanding, funny heartfelt, and toughing. life lessons
- By auntduke on 05-07-24
By: Whoopi Goldberg
-
Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood
- By: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Narrated by: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Length: 3 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Katya have long captivated fans with their stunning looks, onscreen chemistry, and signature wit. In Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood, the pair channels that energy into an old-school etiquette guide for ladies. In essays, conversations, and how-to sections, Trixie and Katya will advise listeners on beauty and fashion and tackle other vital components of a happy home, such as money, self-love, and friendship; sharing advice and personal stories in high-concept fashion.
-
-
Great follow up after reading the Bible
- By Matthew on 07-14-20
By: Trixie Mattel, and others
-
And Don't F&%k It Up
- An Oral History of RuPaul's Drag Race (The First Ten Years)
- By: World of Wonder, Maria Elena Fernandez
- Narrated by: Alec Mapa
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Told over the first ten years, And Don't F&%k It Up tells a cultural history through the stories of the people who lived it: the creators of the show, the contestants, the crew, the judges, and even some key (famous) fans. It begins with RuPaul's decades-long friendship and business relationship with World of Wonder Productions, the entertainment company that helped launch him into superstardom, and later talked him into giving a drag reality show a chance.
-
-
The people who wrote this…you are safe, you may step to the back of the stage
- By exBFF on 06-26-23
By: World of Wonder, and others
-
Pageboy
- A Memoir
- By: Elliot Page
- Narrated by: Elliot Page
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“Can I kiss you?” It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he’d carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.
-
-
Ah, I wish this were better. I'm disappointed.
- By Jackson Theofore Keys on 06-07-23
By: Elliot Page
-
My Name's Yours, What's Alaska?
- A Memoir
- By: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Narrated by: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Before RuPaul's Drag Race became a worldwide phenomenon, Drag was mostly an underground art form, performed by the daring and the quick-witted, with maximum energy and a minimal budget. This is the story of one of the galaxy's greatest queens, Alaska Thunderf--k 5000, as she transforms from wearing dresses made of trash bags because she has to, to wearing dresses made of trash bags because she wants to.
-
-
It's basically a rundown of what happened
- By Anonymous User on 12-19-21
-
Karma
- My Autobiography
- By: Boy George
- Narrated by: Boy George
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Boy George's compelling storytelling shines a light on his encounters with legendary figures like David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna, providing an intimate peek into the music industry's glittering world. Humor, sarcasm, and signature style are brought to this explosive and honest account of Boy George's life as a child growing up in sixties London and coming out to his Irish Catholic family. Hear his account of his exploration of his sexuality through the hedonism of the seventies (the glam rock and punk rock revolution that birthed Culture Club) and his ultimately embracing who he is today.
-
-
Humble and Honest
- By Sue Reed on 02-10-24
By: Boy George
-
How Y'all Doing?
- Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived
- By: Leslie Jordan
- Narrated by: Leslie Jordan
- Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.
-
-
What more could you want?
- By Barry Benedict on 04-27-21
By: Leslie Jordan
-
I Curse You with Joy
- By: Tiffany Haddish
- Narrated by: Tiffany Haddish
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s been a minute since listeners last sat down with Tiffany Haddish. Since The Last Black Unicorn, Haddish has catapulted to A-List fame as the breakout star of Girls Trip. She’s walked the Oscars red carpet, released a hit stand-up special with Netflix, and made history as the first black female comedian to host Saturday Night Live and Shark Week.
-
-
Unlistenable
- By NinjaDEMUS on 08-17-24
By: Tiffany Haddish
-
The Big Reveal
- By: Sasha Velour
- Narrated by: Sasha Velour
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book is a quilt, piecing together memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art. Sasha Velour illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with a rich history and a revolutionary spirit. Each chapter strips off a new layer, removing one tantalizing glove and then another, to reveal all the twists and turns in the life of a queen. As Sasha recalls her own journey, from the women who raised her, to learning the craft of an artist, to success, disaster, and more, she also uncovers the history of queer life around the world that made it all possible.
-
-
Much more than expected
- By Anonymous User on 05-22-23
By: Sasha Velour
-
Finding Me
- A Memoir
- By: Viola Davis
- Narrated by: Viola Davis
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.
-
-
Absolutely beautifully Written❤️
- By Love bug23 on 05-02-22
By: Viola Davis
-
Rebel Rising
- A Memoir
- By: Rebel Wilson
- Narrated by: Rebel Wilson
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This “beautiful, brave book,” (Jenna Bush Hager, the Today show) is the story of Rebel Wilson’s remarkable personal transformation, from a painfully shy child in Australia who literally had to be dragged to drama classes and achieved break-out success in the US through iconic roles in Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, and Isn’t It Romantic.
-
-
It's Okay
- By john burke on 04-21-24
By: Rebel Wilson
-
Coming Home
- By: Brittney Griner, Michelle Burford - contributor
- Narrated by: Andia Winslow, Brittney Griner
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner arrived in Moscow ready to spend the WNBA offseason playing for the Russian women’s basketball team where she had been the centerpiece of previous championship seasons. Instead, a security checkpoint became her gateway to hell when she was arrested for mistakenly carrying under one gram of medically prescribed hash oil. Brittney’s world was violently upended in a crisis she has never spoken in detail about publicly—until now.
-
-
WOW!
- By Anonymous User on 05-08-24
By: Brittney Griner, and others
-
The Book of Pride
- LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World
- By: Mason Funk
- Narrated by: Mason Funk, Robin Miles, Eileen Stevens, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Book of Pride captures the true story of the gay rights movement from the 1960s to the present, through richly detailed, stunning interviews with the leaders, activists, and ordinary people who witnessed the movement and made it happen. These individuals fought battles both personal and political, often without the support of family or friends, frequently under the threat of violence and persecution.
-
-
Pure Joy for EVERYONE
- By Micah D on 06-03-19
By: Mason Funk
-
Working Girls
- Trixie and Katya's Guide to Professional Womanhood
- By: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Narrated by: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trixie and Katya dole out savvy and satirical advice for every stage of working life, from choosing a career path to sailing into retirement, in step-by-step guides, quizzes, the world’s most bizarre aptitude test, and more. Searching for the perfect interview outfit? Agonizing over how to get that raise? Suspicious that your colleague doesn’t really hope their email “finds you well”? Trixie and Katya have got you covered. They also share personal stories from their own careers and their philosophies on everything from mastering office lingo to getting fired with dignity.
-
-
Fun but not as real
- By Rocky Sunico on 01-04-23
By: Trixie Mattel, and others
-
Leslie F*cking Jones
- By: Leslie Jones, Chris Rock - foreword
- Narrated by: Leslie Jones, Chris Rock
- Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hey you guys, it’s Leslie. I’m excited to share my story with you. Now, I’m gonna be honest: Some of the details might be vague because a b*tch is fifty-five and she’s smoked a ton of weed. But while bits might be a touch hazy, I can promise you the underlying truth is REAL.
-
-
she's the f*cking BEST
- By Audible Anon on 09-20-23
By: Leslie Jones, and others
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
GuRu
- By: RuPaul
- Narrated by: RuPaul, Michelle Visage
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A timeless collection of philosophies from renaissance performer and the world’s most famous shape-shifter RuPaul, whose sage outlook has created an unprecedented career for more than 35 years. GuRu illustrates the concept of building the life you want from the outside in and the inside out.
-
-
Do not purchase
- By Robb on 11-30-18
By: RuPaul
-
The Diva Rules
- Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength, and Sparkle Your Way to the Top
- By: Michelle Visage
- Narrated by: Michelle Visage
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michelle Visage is not your average diva. Powerful, positive, and polished, this diva's not only glamorous, she's a savvy businesswoman with serious credentials who works her tail off. From her days vogueing in the downtown Manhattan clubs in the '90s to her successful career in radio and her ultimate cult status as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, Michelle has achieved her dreams and then some!
-
-
A Whole Lot of Nothing
- By teal on 04-29-16
By: Michelle Visage
-
And Don't F&%k It Up
- An Oral History of RuPaul's Drag Race (The First Ten Years)
- By: World of Wonder, Maria Elena Fernandez
- Narrated by: Alec Mapa
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Told over the first ten years, And Don't F&%k It Up tells a cultural history through the stories of the people who lived it: the creators of the show, the contestants, the crew, the judges, and even some key (famous) fans. It begins with RuPaul's decades-long friendship and business relationship with World of Wonder Productions, the entertainment company that helped launch him into superstardom, and later talked him into giving a drag reality show a chance.
-
-
The people who wrote this…you are safe, you may step to the back of the stage
- By exBFF on 06-26-23
By: World of Wonder, and others
-
My Name's Yours, What's Alaska?
- A Memoir
- By: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Narrated by: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Before RuPaul's Drag Race became a worldwide phenomenon, Drag was mostly an underground art form, performed by the daring and the quick-witted, with maximum energy and a minimal budget. This is the story of one of the galaxy's greatest queens, Alaska Thunderf--k 5000, as she transforms from wearing dresses made of trash bags because she has to, to wearing dresses made of trash bags because she wants to.
-
-
It's basically a rundown of what happened
- By Anonymous User on 12-19-21
-
Karma
- My Autobiography
- By: Boy George
- Narrated by: Boy George
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Boy George's compelling storytelling shines a light on his encounters with legendary figures like David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna, providing an intimate peek into the music industry's glittering world. Humor, sarcasm, and signature style are brought to this explosive and honest account of Boy George's life as a child growing up in sixties London and coming out to his Irish Catholic family. Hear his account of his exploration of his sexuality through the hedonism of the seventies (the glam rock and punk rock revolution that birthed Culture Club) and his ultimately embracing who he is today.
-
-
Humble and Honest
- By Sue Reed on 02-10-24
By: Boy George
-
Pageboy
- A Memoir
- By: Elliot Page
- Narrated by: Elliot Page
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“Can I kiss you?” It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he’d carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.
-
-
Ah, I wish this were better. I'm disappointed.
- By Jackson Theofore Keys on 06-07-23
By: Elliot Page
-
GuRu
- By: RuPaul
- Narrated by: RuPaul, Michelle Visage
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A timeless collection of philosophies from renaissance performer and the world’s most famous shape-shifter RuPaul, whose sage outlook has created an unprecedented career for more than 35 years. GuRu illustrates the concept of building the life you want from the outside in and the inside out.
-
-
Do not purchase
- By Robb on 11-30-18
By: RuPaul
-
The Diva Rules
- Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength, and Sparkle Your Way to the Top
- By: Michelle Visage
- Narrated by: Michelle Visage
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michelle Visage is not your average diva. Powerful, positive, and polished, this diva's not only glamorous, she's a savvy businesswoman with serious credentials who works her tail off. From her days vogueing in the downtown Manhattan clubs in the '90s to her successful career in radio and her ultimate cult status as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, Michelle has achieved her dreams and then some!
-
-
A Whole Lot of Nothing
- By teal on 04-29-16
By: Michelle Visage
-
And Don't F&%k It Up
- An Oral History of RuPaul's Drag Race (The First Ten Years)
- By: World of Wonder, Maria Elena Fernandez
- Narrated by: Alec Mapa
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Told over the first ten years, And Don't F&%k It Up tells a cultural history through the stories of the people who lived it: the creators of the show, the contestants, the crew, the judges, and even some key (famous) fans. It begins with RuPaul's decades-long friendship and business relationship with World of Wonder Productions, the entertainment company that helped launch him into superstardom, and later talked him into giving a drag reality show a chance.
-
-
The people who wrote this…you are safe, you may step to the back of the stage
- By exBFF on 06-26-23
By: World of Wonder, and others
-
My Name's Yours, What's Alaska?
- A Memoir
- By: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Narrated by: Alaska Thunderf--k 5000
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Before RuPaul's Drag Race became a worldwide phenomenon, Drag was mostly an underground art form, performed by the daring and the quick-witted, with maximum energy and a minimal budget. This is the story of one of the galaxy's greatest queens, Alaska Thunderf--k 5000, as she transforms from wearing dresses made of trash bags because she has to, to wearing dresses made of trash bags because she wants to.
-
-
It's basically a rundown of what happened
- By Anonymous User on 12-19-21
-
Karma
- My Autobiography
- By: Boy George
- Narrated by: Boy George
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Boy George's compelling storytelling shines a light on his encounters with legendary figures like David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna, providing an intimate peek into the music industry's glittering world. Humor, sarcasm, and signature style are brought to this explosive and honest account of Boy George's life as a child growing up in sixties London and coming out to his Irish Catholic family. Hear his account of his exploration of his sexuality through the hedonism of the seventies (the glam rock and punk rock revolution that birthed Culture Club) and his ultimately embracing who he is today.
-
-
Humble and Honest
- By Sue Reed on 02-10-24
By: Boy George
-
Pageboy
- A Memoir
- By: Elliot Page
- Narrated by: Elliot Page
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“Can I kiss you?” It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he’d carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.
-
-
Ah, I wish this were better. I'm disappointed.
- By Jackson Theofore Keys on 06-07-23
By: Elliot Page
-
Blame It on Bianca Del Rio
- The Expert on Nothing with an Opinion on Everything
- By: Bianca Del Rio
- Narrated by: Bianca Del Rio
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to insult comics, Bianca Del Rio is in a class by herself. Fierce, funny, and fabulous - a would-be love child sired by John Waters and birthed by Joan Rivers - Bianca sandblasted her name in the annals of pop culture on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Thanks to her snarky frankness, impeccable comedic timing, and politically incorrect humor, she became the show’s breakout star, winning its sixth season. In Blame It on Bianca Del Rio, Bianca shares her opinions loudly and proudly, offering raucous, hilarious, no-holds-barred commentary on annoyances, big and small.
-
-
Works on stage, not as a disembodied voice
- By Tuscancat on 05-25-18
By: Bianca Del Rio
-
Bits and Pieces
- My Mother, My Brother, and Me
- By: Whoopi Goldberg
- Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time.
-
-
Outstanding, funny heartfelt, and toughing. life lessons
- By auntduke on 05-07-24
By: Whoopi Goldberg
-
Unprotected
- A Memoir
- By: Billy Porter
- Narrated by: Billy Porter
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the Tony Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, and all-around diva, Porter was a young boy who didn’t fit in.
-
-
I didn't know his name
- By Julie Newkirk on 01-04-22
By: Billy Porter
-
Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood
- By: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Narrated by: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Length: 3 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Katya have long captivated fans with their stunning looks, onscreen chemistry, and signature wit. In Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood, the pair channels that energy into an old-school etiquette guide for ladies. In essays, conversations, and how-to sections, Trixie and Katya will advise listeners on beauty and fashion and tackle other vital components of a happy home, such as money, self-love, and friendship; sharing advice and personal stories in high-concept fashion.
-
-
Great follow up after reading the Bible
- By Matthew on 07-14-20
By: Trixie Mattel, and others
-
Working Girls
- Trixie and Katya's Guide to Professional Womanhood
- By: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Narrated by: Trixie Mattel, Katya
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trixie and Katya dole out savvy and satirical advice for every stage of working life, from choosing a career path to sailing into retirement, in step-by-step guides, quizzes, the world’s most bizarre aptitude test, and more. Searching for the perfect interview outfit? Agonizing over how to get that raise? Suspicious that your colleague doesn’t really hope their email “finds you well”? Trixie and Katya have got you covered. They also share personal stories from their own careers and their philosophies on everything from mastering office lingo to getting fired with dignity.
-
-
Fun but not as real
- By Rocky Sunico on 01-04-23
By: Trixie Mattel, and others
-
I Was Better Last Night
- A Memoir
- By: Harvey Fierstein
- Narrated by: Harvey Fierstein
- Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows.
-
-
Loved it
- By Mary Ellen Guadagno on 03-09-22
By: Harvey Fierstein
-
Angela Davis
- An Autobiography
- By: Angela Davis
- Narrated by: Angela Davis
- Length: 19 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Angela Davis has been a political activist at the cutting edge of the Black Liberation, feminist, queer, and prison-abolitionist movements for more than 50 years. Angela Davis: An Autobiography, first published and edited by Toni Morrison in 1974, is a powerful and commanding account of her early years in these struggles. Read by Angela Davis herself, this autobiography, told with warmth, brilliance, humor, and conviction, is a classic account of a life in struggle, with echoes in our own time.
-
-
Good story of an interesting person
- By Antuane Brown on 03-17-22
By: Angela Davis
-
How Y'all Doing?
- Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived
- By: Leslie Jordan
- Narrated by: Leslie Jordan
- Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.
-
-
What more could you want?
- By Barry Benedict on 04-27-21
By: Leslie Jordan
-
The Big Reveal
- By: Sasha Velour
- Narrated by: Sasha Velour
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book is a quilt, piecing together memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art. Sasha Velour illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with a rich history and a revolutionary spirit. Each chapter strips off a new layer, removing one tantalizing glove and then another, to reveal all the twists and turns in the life of a queen. As Sasha recalls her own journey, from the women who raised her, to learning the craft of an artist, to success, disaster, and more, she also uncovers the history of queer life around the world that made it all possible.
-
-
Much more than expected
- By Anonymous User on 05-22-23
By: Sasha Velour
-
Walking in My Joy
- In These Streets
- By: Jenifer Lewis
- Narrated by: Jenifer Lewis
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Walking in My Joy is a collection of electric stories by the one and only, super hilarious Jenifer Lewis. Her commentary on what’s happening in the world today, told through her outrageous real-life adventures, will have you laughing out loud, while her insightful messages touch your soul. A self-described “traveling fool and nature freak,” Jenifer takes listeners with her all over the world, from Cape Town to Bali; Washington, DC, to the Serengeti; Mongolia to St. Petersburg; and Argentina to Antarctica to demonstrate how she walks in her joy by seeking pleasure in everyday encounters.
-
-
Another great work from Jenifer Mfkng Lewis
- By TonyaA6 on 09-20-22
By: Jenifer Lewis
-
Boyslut
- A Memoir and Manifesto
- By: Zachary Zane
- Narrated by: Zachary Zane
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sex and relationship columnist bares it all in a series of essays—part memoir, part manifesto—that explore the author’s coming of age and coming out as a bisexual man and move toward embracing and celebrating sex unencumbered by shame.
-
-
Great insight and information. Vain human.
- By Lauren B. on 07-27-23
By: Zachary Zane
-
Around the Way Girl
- A Memoir
- By: Taraji P. Henson
- Narrated by: Taraji P. Henson
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from Empire, yet is all Taraji, the screen actress writes of her families - the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life's challenges, and of her mother, who survived violence both in the home and on DC's volatile streets. Here, too, she opens up about her experiences as a single mother.
-
-
Around My way, Your Way & Every Woman's way
- By Yolanda on 10-26-16
By: Taraji P. Henson
What listeners say about The House of Hidden Meanings
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Shannon
- 03-27-24
An intimate look at RuPauls life
I love RuPaul’s narration of his newest memoir. It is a very personal and real sharing of what his life was like from his grown up perspective. Rupaul is a very intelligent and insightful person and he shows that in this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- LB Run
- 04-13-24
Engrossing story
Really enjoyed his memoir. He is a very good narrator. I felt like I was part of his journey. Good descriptions of places and time. Love you Ru!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Debbie S.
- 04-02-24
Great memoir
Loved Ru's narration, felt like a friend just having a chat. The expression in his voice added to the great stories he shared.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hillary M Batzner
- 03-07-24
Excellent book!
RuPaul has written an excellent book! I love Ru + really appreciated learning about Ru’s past prior to the fame as well as the struggles he faced while being famous. He is just like us, faced with difficult questions in life + insecurities. I appreciated the candor. I love his humor!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matthew Lind
- 03-06-24
A House of Love
Thank you to RuPaul for sharing such intimate details of his incredible life. While the stories are fabulous and wonderful for any old club kid to hear, the real jewel of these stories are their hidden meanings. The life lessons that shaped Ru’s very unique lens of this world.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kate
- 03-14-24
I took so much away from this book
I have loved Ru Paul from afar for years. This book shows so much resilience and grace of character. I feel like this will be one I listen to again. There is a spiritual element that holds a lot of truth about the world
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Debbie R
- 03-20-24
Love and kindness
RuPauls narrating was my favorite. He is an Angel amongst us. Love yourself and be kind to yourself as well
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hollita
- 03-18-24
Brutally honest, but also entertaining
I love the author read the book himself. I enjoyed the stories of RuPaul’s growing up. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a bio/memoir.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- shellie l. gaines
- 03-06-24
What really seems to be addressed is his childhood and how that affected his adulthood.
I was hoping to hear him play some of his hit songs throughout, mention how Drag Race came to be, and use different voice inflections. I liked when he voiced his mom. He definitely persevered to reach his destiny.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- T.T.
- 04-17-24
I love Ru
The book was an interesting glimpse into Ru’s life as a kid and growing up gay or queer when it wasn’t popularized by tv and social media. I enjoyed getting to peek into his life. Books narrated by the author are always the best!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!