Page 71 - Money - November 2018

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How much was that thing?
You know, years ago, lace-
front wigs were very expen-
sive. They’re not as expen-
sive anymore because they
have machines that make
them. But years ago, when
I was buying lace-front wigs,
it would be two wigs: the
front, which had the lace on
it, and the back, which was a
support wig. It emulated your
own hairline and was mea-
sured to fit your head. It
was bespoke. And that would
cost about $1,500 [back
then]. Now you can get a
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lace-front wig for $80. It’s
6Y4EYP made for everybody, so you
made by a machine and
have to cross your fingers
and hope it works.

How much are you willing
to spend on a gown?
$10,000.

And how many $10,000
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Oh, I don’t know. I’ve lost
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count. Our show has been on
the air for 10 years, and there
are—I don’t know—14 gowns
MONEY: You’re a very spiri- people from Louisiana who Not many. per season? So…
tual person but also a very endured racism and were No. It’s difficult to manage all
successful person. Is it systematically put down [by the things that come with A hell of a lot?
hard to reconcile the role others]. They inherited that abundance. I remember when Yeah.
money plays in your life concept of themselves from things started happening for
with your spiritual side? their parents, and I inherited me, and I would say, “Oh, my Have you ever sat down
RUPAUL: We live in a world of it from them. So I had to God! Last week I flew to and calculated how much
polar opposites. Black, white; break the shackles of who I Düsseldorf on Elton John’s a RuPaul look costs—from
night, day; male, female. But thought I was. It’s important private plane!” And my excite- wig to gown to makeup
multiple things can be true at to know that you can’t bring ment was genuine, but the to jewelry?
the same time. It’s about everyone with you. Certain look on my friends’ faces was No, I never have. I do know
maintaining a balance. It takes people feel, once they cross “You’re leaving us behind.” the end result is worth a
a spiritual practice to center a certain threshold of wealth, That adjustment was difficult million dollars [laughs]. It’s
between the two extremes.And that they have to bring every- and sometimes heart-wrench- really all about the end result
it does take work to reconcile. body from the neighborhood ing. It’s hard to let go of your and what effect it has on
with them, or their whole fam- old self. Because, in doing so, people. I don’t know how
In your new book, GuRu, you ily. A lot of performers will you’re going to be leaving cer- much it costs. It’s a lot. It
discuss how hard it can be have their love interest as tain people behind. They know takes a lot of people. I have
for some people, like lot- their manager—that’s also a it, you know it, and it’s sad. hair people and makeup
tery winners, to “remap big mistake. There are a few people and people who help
their relationship to abun- exceptions. Céline Dion was Can we talk about how me get it all on. It’s a big
dance.” How has your own very successful having her much it costs to be production.
relationship to abundance love interest as her manager, RuPaul? You have a favor-
evolved? but how many Céline Dions ite blond wig that’s been in You’re a job creator.
My parents were country are there? your life for, like, 25 years. I like that! You better work. MILES ALDRIDGE

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