Born in New Jersey, Michelle Visage, 55, was a member of the girl group Seduction, which had a hit in 1989 with Two to Make it Right. Since 2011, she has been a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. She has a Friday evening show on BBC Radio 2, and a podcast called Rule Breakers. On 12 and 13 February she will star in The Addams Family at the London Palladium. She is married with two children and lives in Los Angeles.
What is your greatest fear?
Failure.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Madonna, she is a trailblazer. She changed the face of pop music for women. She did so much for the Aids movement, encouraging people to vote and the voices of LGBTQIA+ people. Fashion icon, music icon – she deserves all the credit.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My health anxiety. I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I hate that about myself and I’ve worked extensively in therapy on changing it.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I don’t get embarrassed.
Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
I spend my money on vintage eyewear. I have a massive collection.
Describe yourself in three words
Loyal, funny, driven.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My belly. I have had two C-sections.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Adam Driver, Jon Hamm and Zac Efron.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
My mom, because she didn’t get to meet my kids. She passed away when I was 30. The fact that I’ve spent my adult life without her has been pretty crappy.
What is your most unappealing habit?
I have a tendency to correct people grammatically. It’s annoying.
What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
I’ve heard it all: too fat, too short, no talent. Those are the things that cut me deep when I was younger, but now they drive me.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Probably fame.
What was the last lie you told?
I don’t lie. That’s why I get into trouble: I’m honest to a fault.
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What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I watch repeats on the Disney app – Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and I’ll watch without my kids.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
My children, because I spent the majority of their youth away from them as I’m the breadwinner and I had to pay the bills.
What does love feel like?
Love is understanding, authenticity and being able to be exactly who you are with no editing – and it’s a gift.
How often do you have sex?
Probably once a week. My husband would like more, but I’m happy with once a week.
What keeps you awake at night?
My kids, global boiling, everything.
How would you like to be remembered?
By my kindness.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Do not take life too seriously, this is all a sham.
Tell us a secret
I’m actually really soft and nerdy, and not the hard girl that people think they see on the telly.
