Inside RuPaul and Husband Georges LeBar’s Famously Private Love Story

by

Over a span of more than three decades, RuPaul has been authentically himself while paving the way and enlarging the realm of drag for many others.

As a dedicated follower, I can’t help but admire RuPaul Andre Charles, who has not only conquered 14 Emmys but also countless hearts and minds in his quest to build an empire. Although he exudes fearless individuality, it’s essential to note that the creator of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” now at the age of 64, hasn’t been strutting down the runway of life by himself. His impact and influence extend far beyond the confines of the stage or screen.

In RuPaul’s 2024 memoir titled “The House of Hidden Meanings,” it was dedicate to Georges LeBar with the words: “To my heart’s greatest joy, Georges LeBar, I owe you my deepest gratitude for the love, laughter, sweetness and kindness you have showered on me. You remain my most cherished one.

Yet, it wasn’t the classic instance of love at first sight, but rather, RuPaul caught a glimpse of the man who would become his future spouse in a bustling crowd.

In his book, he shares that on January 24, 1994, finding himself single for the first time, he was out dancing at the popular venue Limelight. That night, he noticed a man towering over everyone else on the dance floor. Standing tall at 6-foot-4, he was intrigued by this individual’s unusual dance moves. Describing him as “handsome with a bit of wildness, sporting a thick unibrow and prominent high cheekbones,” the then 33-year-old model found himself captivated by the man’s appearance.

So RuPaul headed in his direction.

The tall man standing around 6 feet 8 inches with platform shoes, was revealed to be Georges, who bears a ‘s’ at the end of his name, hailing from Perth, Australia. Currently residing in New York, he is enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology following his time at an art school in Paris. His father is American, and as he mentioned, he stands to inherit the family’s ranch in Wyoming. This particular evening marked Georges’ 21st birthday celebration.

RuPaul inquired if it was alright to wrap his arms around the man’s shoulders, as he wasn’t accustomed to embracing someone so tall. Georges consented, and with ease, picked RuPaul up.

They spent the evening chatting at Florent, a restaurant nearby, and exchanged contact information. The following day, RuPaul, who had an unused business class ticket that wouldn’t be going to his former partner, extended an invitation to Georges to join him in London. There, RuPaul was set to co-host the BRIT Awards with Elton John.

RuPaul expressed feeling instantly at ease with Georges and having an immediate trust in him, yet upon arrival, he understood that his naive, guileless companion wouldn’t be able to assist him in dressing up for drag or providing security.

Even though everything about the journey turned out well – from our visit to Germany aboard Elton’s private plane, to other pleasant experiences – RuPaul confided in Georges upon returning to New York that he felt Georges was too immature for him. However, he suggested they could still maintain a friendship.

In a brief span of only a few weeks, RuPaul came to understand that he had encountered an exceptionally kind individual, someone starkly different from the men he had been drawn to during his twenties.

The artist expressed in his book that he deeply loved, appreciated, and valued me. It was something I had never experienced such feelings towards me from a man before.

Following Georges’ graduation from FIT, the music for his final runway show was masterfully blended by RuPaul, featuring a fusion of “Disco Inferno” by Tina Turner and “Baby I’m Burnin'” by Dolly Parton. Subsequently, he landed a position as a designer at J. Crew. However, with RuPaul’s stardom on the rise and his frequent travels, he expressed a desire to keep Georges available to accompany him everywhere.

In due course, RuPaul observed that their setup had been stripping Georges of his individual drive. Consequently, he requested Georges to manage the refurbishment project of their condo in Miami.

In Miami, while RuPaul was jet-setting between Los Angeles, I found myself grappling with a meth addiction that necessitated rehabilitation, as detailed in the book. Upon his return from treatment, RuPaul suggested we relocate together to L.A., but I chose to remain in Florida, committed to nurturing my newfound sobriety.

Essentially, RuPaul conveyed that it was time for them to part ways. Despite maintaining daily contact, their separation wasn’t intended to be long-term. However, during this phase of his existence, RuPaul opted to conclude “The House of Hidden Meanings.

In a conversation on NPR’s Fresh Air in March 2024, he clarified that the book concludes when both of us become sober. This was a fitting ending for the book as it marked such a significant transformation, one that I hadn’t foreseen. However, when this change occurred, it all made perfect sense. We parted ways so we could dedicate ourselves to our sobriety. In hindsight, following the publication of the book, we discovered our feelings for each other were so profound…neither of us could break free from that connection.

For several decades, they have stood side by side, facing triumphs as well as hardships, illnesses and good health, wealth and even greater wealth – in essence, RuPaul’s Drag Race has evolved into a globally recognized brand.

Consequently, Georges received a vast 60,000-acre ranch in Wyoming. Subsequently, the pair divided their time between Converse County, with RuPaul quipping to Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that he was the only one there who dressed in Western attire because he relished going there to don his exquisite Western outfits, and a grand mansion in Beverly Hills. They maintained separate color-coded wardrobes within their shared primary closet, with RuPaul’s drag collection kept in a distinct area.

RuPaul said to BuzzFeed in 2015 that his partner is both kind and hilarious. He shared this when same-sex marriage was yet to be fully legalized across the U.S., which happened a few weeks later on June 26. RuPaul recalled praying for a sweet, sensitive man, and he ended up with an Australian who’s just wonderful.

In a similar vein, the adage “work it out” is just as relevant to their partnership as any other, yet they’ve customized their relationship to cater to their unique requirements.

RuPaul made it clear that he prefers a casual approach when asked about the possibility of him and Georges getting married. He mentioned they had considered it for potential financial benefits, like tax breaks.

However, Rupaul noted that the query was not about devotion, such as “Is he committed to me? Am I committed to him?” Instead, it was a matter of individuality: “Oh, absolutely! I have no desire to resemble everyone else.

Approximately two years after their initial meeting, on the 23rd anniversary of that day, RuPaul and Georges discreetly exchanged wedding vows. This was primarily due to love, but also for tax purposes.

Back in March 2017, during an interview with Hollywood Today Live, RuPaul confessed that they had never intended to get married. He went on to explain that the decision was primarily driven by the potential benefits for taxes and finances.

Later on, after their wedding, the newlywed took to Twitter and expressed, “I am grateful for the love and compassion you all have shown us. Just as The Supremes sang, ‘I cry not just for myself, but for those who never experienced the joy we are feeling now.’

Despite Georges having no interest in show business whatsoever as mentioned by his husband, they have remained close together. In fact, although he is not entirely out of the limelight, Georges has transitioned from being an artist and designer to a land manager. Notably, he attended both the Met Gala and the Emmys in 2019 and accompanied his partner at RuPaul’s DragCon in 2022.

In general, the very private individual, RuPaul, has been satisfied maintaining his personal matters mostly away from public scrutiny.

In a conversation with the Canadian Press back in 2016, he noted that some individuals in the entertainment industry flaunt their relationships as if they were fashion accessories. On the contrary, others prefer to maintain a distinction between their personal lives and professional endeavors. He stated that it’s absolutely acceptable for an artist to say, “I choose not to discuss my romantic affairs as they do not align with the fictional universe I’ve constructed in commerce.

During that time, they enjoyed their adventure, particularly sightseeing via helicopter, as well as engaging in various activities beyond the realm of show business.

Given that RuPaul has been contentedly settled with his partner for several years, it might surprise some people to learn that they have an open marriage arrangement.

In a nutshell, RuPaul didn’t endorse monogamy as something they specifically choose or uphold. To quote their 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, “The hoax is the idea that monogamy can truly occur.” Emphasizing their freedom, they added, “I wouldn’t impose restrictions on the person I cherish most in this world. I wouldn’t do that to someone I love, my dearest friend.

He suggested, “If an occasion arises that you find irresistible and brings joy, seize it. After all, I truly believe from the depths of my soul, with a certainty I’ve never felt before, that nothing in this world means more to man than me.

And they remain as devoted to each other as ever.

During a conversation with The New Yorker prior to the scheduled release of his book in March 2024, RuPaul emphasized his viewpoint that “monogamy doesn’t exist among men.” Meanwhile, Georges called RuPaul from his hospital bed where he was recuperating after a minor medical treatment.

“I love you,” RuPaul told his husband before signing off. 

They were simultaneously constructing a secure settlement on their land in Wyoming, and as RuPaul put it, “People on Earth are going through a destructive phase.” He added, “I’m planning a safety measure.

He “wouldn’t call it a bunker,” he added. “But it is designed to withstand calamity.”

In simpler terms, it seems they’re devising a strategy for staying united through thick and thin, no matter what obstacles may arise.

As a devotee, let me express it this way: “Among all the extraordinary individuals I’ve encountered, he stands out as my absolute favorite. No one has left an impression quite like him on me.” This sentiment was clearly conveyed by RuPaul when discussing his book’s conclusion with NPR, emphasizing that their story didn’t truly end there.

For those intrigued by long-lasting romantic partnerships in Hollywood, here’s a peek into the strategies that keep the most enduring duos together:

Intrigued by couples who have managed to stay together in Hollywood for the long haul? Let’s take a look at the tactics that make these unions last:

We know what they’ve been doing since they moved in together. 

On Today, I shared my perspective on the value of having separate bathrooms – certain aspects of life that are best kept private. Additionally, it might be beneficial to have individual credit cards for shopping or, if you’re a guy, perhaps a separate gaming card to keep tabs on the expenses related to video games without me being directly involved.

In March 2017, Tom Hanks, who has been married to Wilson since 1988, shared that we discovered the key to happiness with each other a while back, and that’s always being honest with one another.

Naturally, people are eager to learn from the two-time Academy Award winner about marriage, as they are often viewed as a long-lasting and ideal pair in an industry where romantic partnerships typically don’t endure for very long.

In 2016, he expressed that they provide a mutually supportive environment for whatever endeavors they choose to undertake. He noted that their marriage doesn’t demand extensive effort, having been together for 28 years, and shared that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company. This sentiment has consistently been a key aspect of their relationship. In 2015, he simply put it, “We just like each other. You start there,” suggesting that liking each other forms the foundation of their bond.

The overwhelming sympathy shown towards them when they tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020, forcing them into quarantine in Australia during recovery, significantly solidified their reputation as beloved national figures, often referred to as Mr. and Mrs. National Treasure.

In 1976, when they were both teenagers in Dublin, the lead singer of U2 went on his first date with the woman who would become his wife. They ended up getting married in 1982. Recognizing the destructive impact that fame can have on many marriages, Bono shared during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2016 that their busy careers, including walking red carpets, actually helped keep them close: “If things are rocky, we say, ‘Let’s walk the red carpet, definitely.'”

Victoria, who has been married to the retired soccer star and model since 1999, often appears serious, but she revealed to Vogue Netherlands in 2017 that she and her husband have a great time together. She added, “If I were as unhappy as I sometimes look in paparazzi photos, our children wouldn’t be as joyful as they are, and I wouldn’t still be married.

Mullally advised GQ, “It appears that ‘freaking out’ is essential in a relationship. We follow a two-week rule, meaning we never stay apart for more than two weeks. Also, not having kids seems to significantly contribute to a healthy marriage.

In simpler terms, Offerman explained on Today that in maintaining a relationship, he finds great value in keeping quiet and focusing on listening. He often quotes himself as a philosopher when he says, “Compromising speeds up the process of sharing affectionate moments more swiftly than stubbornness does.

For approximately eleven years married and roughly sixteen years together, they had their chat with Ellen DeGeneres in March 2017. During this conversation, McCarthy mentioned, “Perhaps what shouldn’t be amusing to me is actually funny—there are certain peculiar or strange things.

In our household, we might have several blood pressure monitors, as many as seven or eight, according to what McCarthy shared.

 

Feel free to keep chatting, I understand it sounds overused. But prolonged silence might not be beneficial,” Broderick suggested back in 2014, having been married to Parker since 1997.

The Fuller House star doesn’t mind if some of the things her Russian-born husband says get by her.

In a private conversation with TopMob News, Cameron Bure shared this amusing insight: “It’s often advantageous if your partner communicates in a language you don’t understand, as when they become angry, they might resort to speaking Russian. Since I can’t decipher his words, I never take offense.

The actress who’s a mom of three shared with us that she and her husband, whom she married in 1996, always ensure they go on an annual trip sans their children, “even if it’s just a weekend, as we cherish the rare moments of solitude together.

In an interview with Extra, Zeta-Jones explained that being considerate, friendly, and attentive are crucial elements in maintaining their 17-year-long marriage. Despite facing the typical highs and lows, health challenges, and a temporary separation, these qualities have helped them overcome obstacles together.

In an amusing remark made in April 2017, Tim McGraw humorously noted that a frequent ‘yes, ma’am’ might be the secret behind their success as a couple, having been married since October 1996. The power duo of country music just can’t seem to get enough of each other.

In his interview with Today in November, he noted that her tolerance is likely the primary factor. However, when it comes to the core aspects, he emphasized, “It’s essential to be capable of debating, having discussions, even heated arguments if needed.

“Yeah, those are fun sometimes,” Hill admitted. “I know how to press this guy’s buttons.

Pinkett Smith, preparing for 20 years of an unconventional marriage with Smith (to be celebrated on Dec 31, 2017), expressed in July that the key lies in friendship. She emphasized that one must pursue their own happiness, as she finds being married to be the most challenging task.

Initially, Smith attributed it to simply not giving up in 2015. However, he shared a similar perspective about the value of following his own journey. Instead of focusing directly on their relationship, the actor explained that they solely worked on themselves independently, improving themselves before presenting themselves to each other in a better light than before.

It can’t all just be the way he looks at her, right?

In essence, she said: “Simply love one another, shower that love abundantly,” Kidman remarked in 2016. “We also simply enjoy being together, and that’s crucial.

1. In addition, we often prioritize our collective interests by asking, “Is this beneficial for us?” This straightforward question serves us well.

2. My husband is incredibly selfless, always ready to board flights and travel, even for brief periods.

Apart from emails, they prefer to keep their communication strictly to suggestive messages via text. As Urban expressed on the Ellen show back in 2013, they prefer phone calls exclusively, “which I really appreciate…Perhaps just one text. Perhaps a single, intriguing type, you know, like that.

Indeed, it may appear that the task at hand – how on earth did Bening manage to make Hollywood’s most elusive bachelor tie the knot in 1992? – would require a complex answer. However, the solution turns out to be surprisingly straightforward.

In December 2016, Bening chalked what is now their 25-year marriage up to “respect.”

She expressed on Today that she admires respect, but also mentioned that they have both similarities and differences. The differences, she believes, are beneficial and spark a certain intensity between them.

In your early years of marriage, the phrase “this too shall pass” can be incredibly valuable. Every argument or disagreement may feel like the end of everything, but it’s actually not so, as shared by Ripa on AOL.com in a sincere tone back in 2015.

Furthermore, she had stated to Andy Cohen back in 2014 that they simply enjoy each other deeply. She adores her spouse and finds him remarkable. They have been together for quite some time and strive to engage in exciting activities together frequently.

“Meditation!” the couple, married since 1996, simultaneously told People.

Partners for going on 35 years, they’re considered married in our starry eyes. 

In March 2017, Goldie Hawn shared with People magazine the essential elements that keep a relationship strong: love, gratitude, empathy, because even the closest partners can irritate each other at times. She emphasized the importance of cherishing family moments, enjoying fun times together, sharing laughter, and maintaining an active intimate life. In her words, “If you don’t cultivate and remember that, then it’s over.

Not getting married also helped, as far as Hawn is concerned.

In 2015, on the show Today, the actress who has been married since 1984 to the creator of mockumentaries, jokingly advised against divorce. She mused that marriage is an intriguing subject and could potentially write a book titled “Stay Together,” about her experiences.

In a 2012 interview with Redbook, Sedgwick, who has been married to Bacon since 1988, expressed that sex plays a significant role in their relationship. She emphasized that the desire for intimacy is crucial and natural.

Bacon, talking to Entertainment Tonight in 2015, gets the last word on the subject, though.

The actor stated, “Regardless of what you choose to do, avoid taking marital guidance from celebrities. That’s my personal tip for success in marriage.

Read More

2025-06-07 13:18