Born and raised in San Diego, California, RuPaul later studied performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. He settled in New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.
RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.
RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).
RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States. For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022, and received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Destiny Is Mine
RuPaul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply...)
(Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Motion, motion, motion, motion, motion...)
Leader of the pack, fire burning fast
Faster than the speed of light, sound & vision
Driver of the year, conquer every fear
Let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go,
Let it go
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul
To a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Destiny is mine, cross the finish line
Rules never apply to a soul in motion
Never turning back, wave the checkered flag
Let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go,
Let it go
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul
To a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
(Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion)
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine...
Destiny is mine...
Destiny is mine...to a soul in motion)
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
Destiny is mine ...to a soul
To a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
Rules never apply to a soul...
The lyrics to RuPaul’s “Destiny Is Mine” speak to the power of self-determination and the refusal to adhere to rules that hold us back. The song begins with the repeated assertion that “rules never apply to a soul” – a clear call to action for listeners to push beyond the boundaries and expectations set by society. The phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing its importance and paving the way for the subsequent lyrics about harnessing destiny and momentum.
RuPaul sings about being a leader and a driver, pushing through fear and embracing the present moment. The lines “let it go, let it go” encourage listeners to release any inhibitions or self-doubt and truly let themselves go, fully embracing their destiny. The chorus repeats the line “Destiny is mine to a soul in motion” – tying together the themes of destiny and movement that have been present throughout the whole song. The final verse sees RuPaul crossing the finish line and waving the checkered flag, a clear indication of having accomplished one’s goals.
Overall, “Destiny Is Mine” is an empowering song that speaks to the importance of embracing and pursuing one’s destiny, regardless of societal expectations or limitations. It encourages listeners to let go of any barriers or fears and to take charge of their own lives, creating their own destiny through movement and momentum.
Line by Line Meaning
Soul...soul...soul...
The repetition of the word 'Soul' emphasizes the importance of the individual's innermost self.
Rules never apply to a soul...
One's soul is free from the limitations and constraints imposed by society or external factors.
Destiny is mine ...to a soul in motion
The concept of destiny is subjective and can only be achieved through continuous action and movement of the soul.
Motion, motion, motion, motion, motion...
The repetition of the word 'motion' emphasizes the importance of continuous movement and action in achieving one's destiny.
Leader of the pack, fire burning fast
One who leads and sets the pace, with a fierce passion that burns brightly and quickly.
Faster than the speed of light, sound & vision
The speed and intensity at which this person moves is beyond the limitations of science and the senses.
Driver of the year, conquer every fear
This person is the best at driving their own destiny, having conquered any doubts or fears along the way.
Let it go, let it go,
To release any negativity or burdens that may hold one back from achieving their destiny.
Destiny is mine, cross the finish line
Achievement of one's destiny is the ultimate goal, akin to crossing a finish line.
Never turning back, wave the checkered flag
Once the finish line is crossed, there is no going back, and one can proudly wave the checkered flag of victory.
Destiny is mine...
The singer reiterates their conviction that their destiny is already theirs to claim.
to a soul in motion)
The importance of continuous action and movement in achieving one's destiny is reiterated once more.
Contributed by Dylan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.