In the world of drag today, one marked by high heels, highlighters, and high-rising wigs, RuPaul reigns supreme. As a prominent voice of the queer community, Emmy-winner Mama Ru has taught legions the masterclass of the art which practices inclusion, positive energy, and self-love. She has continued to represent the outsiders — both queer and non-queer — for decades. With RuPaul and World of Wonder’s DragCon 2017 (April 29 and 30) on the horizon, as well as the success of the hit series RuPaul’s Drag Race (going into Season 9), it’s clear that this powerhouse cannot and will not be stopped.

We caught up with legend, icon, star RuPaul to learn a bit more about how the drag matriarch got started before building her supreme empire. And of course, we chatted about this year’s DragCon and spilled some tea about the upcoming season of Drag Race, including Lady Gaga's surprise visit.

Teen Vogue: How did you get your start in drag?

Ru: I got into drag professionally, accidentally, but as a kid, I always played with all of the colors of the crayon box and I always loved clothes, and textures, and different colors. I always felt like a little boy who fell to Earth, and the idea of playing with all the toys really appealed to me. I never put a gender on inanimate objects.

TV: What do you think is the biggest misconception about drag?

__Ru:__The biggest misconception about drag is that only a select few are doing it. The truth is that we are all doing it. We are all in drag. We are all born naked and the rest is drag, and there are no if, ands, or buts about it. The biggest misconception is that most people don’t realize that they are in drag right now.

TV: What is something you would still like to accomplish?

Ru: I would like to not be so judgemental — judgemental of the world.

TV: What lessons have you learned through your journey and through drag that you think are universally applicable?

Ru: I have learned through my journey not to take life too seriously. Drag queens throughout history, no matter what they are called — either the court jester, or the witch doctor, or the shaman — have all had the same message, which is don’t take life too seriously. Remember that you are an extension of the power that created the whole universe. Don’t get it twisted — or take any of this Earth-bound missy-goss too seriously.

TV: What inspired you to start DragCon?

Ru: Our television show has such a broad social media base that we wanted to create a space where these kids from all over the world could get together in person. You know it is one thing to know your tribe in cyberspace, but it is a completely different thing to meet them in person and it really does change your molecular energy to see and be with your tribe in person.

TV: Where did you find inspiration for the terminology “find your tribe” and where did you first find yours?

Ru: The inspiration came from my own experience. We come into this world with a family, our birth family, and for the sweet sensitive souls who want more, who feel like that’s just not enough, we feel like we need people who speak our language. That’s not to say anything bad about the people who are our biological family, just that it is important to find people that are your other brothers and sisters who support you in a way that your family can’t. That’s when my life really expanded exponentially. So I encourage everyone, all the young kids around the world, to find your tribe because that’s when your life can really take off. That’s when you have the support, team, and mechanisms, to actually spread your wings in a way that you never thought possible.