Book IWD Speaker: Michelle Visage

3x Emmy Award-winning Producer of & Judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race" & LGBTQIA+ Advocate

Michelle Visage has built one of the most recognisable careers in modern entertainment, moving with confidence from chart-topping vocalist to award-winning broadcaster and executive producer. Her first break came in 1993 as the lead singer of S.O.U.L.S.Y.S.T.E.M, when her track “It’s Gonna Be a Lovely Day” appeared on the multi-platinum soundtrack for The Bodyguard. The song’s success opened doors across music and media, and her shift into radio made her a familiar voice in New York and Los Angeles. Listeners connected with her frank humour and sharp cultural insight; she became a trusted commentator who could translate the energy of nightlife and pop culture for a mainstream audience. One example was her long-running morning show in New York, where she mixed celebrity interviews with honest conversations about identity and ambition.

Her global breakthrough came in 2011 when she joined the judging panel on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The role suited her, partly because she brought deep cultural knowledge and partly because she championed performers with clarity and care. Her judging style blended high expectations with genuine advocacy, helping shape the careers of hundreds of artists. As the franchise expanded into the UK and beyond, she became one of its key creative voices. She later stepped into senior production roles, contributing to the show’s Primetime Emmy wins in 2019, 2020 and 2021. By 2025, she was leading executive production efforts across multiple international versions, guiding casting, cohesion and creative identity at a global scale.

Her visibility in the UK grew further after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 and Strictly Come Dancing in 2019. Both appearances introduced her to wider audiences and showed her range, from candid reality-show honesty to disciplined performance on a primetime stage. In 2024, she became the host of Drag Race Down Under, marking the first time she fronted a regional edition. It confirmed her position as one of the franchise’s most influential figures.

Organisations book Michelle for International Women’s Day because she speaks with rare honesty about reinvention, resilience and self-worth. Her story covers decades of navigating competitive industries while advocating for inclusion, creativity and confidence. She brings warmth and clarity to topics such as female leadership, identity, allyship and the courage to take up space. Audiences appreciate her mix of personal storytelling and practical guidance; they leave with a clearer sense of how to champion themselves and others. Her presence energises a room, making her a standout choice for events that celebrate women’s achievements and push for lasting cultural change.

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