Strictly’s Michelle Visage
Michelle ViSage, 51, is a U.S. singer and contestant on BBc1’s Strictly come Dancing. She’s also a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race on BBc3. She lives in los angeles with her writer husband, David, and their teenage daughters, lillie and lola.
DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THE FUN IN LIFE
Drag queen ruPaul once told me some advice his schoolteacher gave him which has always sat well with me. He said: ‘Stop taking life too seriously.’
I spent my childhood not knowing who I was. I had identity issues almost certainly based on the fact that I was adopted, something I was told early on. But that didn’t make the feelings of rejection go away.
If I had spent more time loving myself rather than ripping myself apart, I’m sure my journey would have been a lot easier. So the idea of having more fun, of not worrying about everything all the time, would have eased the load. It’s a good mantra for life.
My younger daughter called me this morning in tears because school is so tough. She’s one of life’s procrastinators, leaving everything to the last minute. It was midnight in La and I told her to go to bed, go to sleep — and then start over. Tomorrow’s a new day, I said. The problem might still be there, but you’ll be better equipped to deal with it.
Live life, enjoy it. How much better is this than the alternative? Of course, there will be moments which aren’t going to be fun. But nothing bad lasts for ever. With age comes lines on your face but, thank heavens, wisdom, too.
In 2012, I walked away from my radio show. I was at the top of my game. But ruPaul had this idea for a TV drag show and wanted me to be involved. It was a gamble; I had no idea it was going to be a hit. But, nothing ventured... If you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know. and what’s the worst that could happen?
I’m used to living by my wits. another day, another dollar: that’s my attitude. I’m not afraid of hard work and I take that work seriously. But not myself. and that’s not a bad recipe for life.
Michelle recently won the 2019 Specsavers Star Spectacle Wearer Of The Year award in support of Kidscape (loveglasses.specsavers. co.uk/kidscape)