Time magazine released their annual list of the 100 Most Influential People this week [1], and the feature included some tearjerking pieces from celebrities speaking about their famous friends and colleagues. Taylor Swift wrote a moving essay about her longtime pal Ed Sheeran [2], and Helen Mirren's article about friend and costar Ryan Reynolds [3] will put a huge smile on your face. But another piece that had us melting was the one Naomi Campbell wrote about RuPaul; the iconic supermodel waxed poetic about the equally iconic supermodel drag queen, starting from the day they met over two decades ago.

"I first met RuPaul in the '90s, when I was doing a shoot on 14th Street in New York City. As soon as I saw him, I wanted to know where he was going, because that was where I wanted to be.

"As soon as I saw him, I wanted to know where he was going, because that was where I wanted to be."

Ru was different. Not just because he had perfect, precise clothes and makeup, or because he was the only man I knew who could look that good in a wig and heels. There were no rough edges to be found. But as I got to know him better, I got to experience firsthand his wit and his intelligence — he's like an encyclopedia. And his beauty is far beyond skin-deep.

Now, through RuPaul's Drag Race [4], which recently premiered on VH1 after eight seasons on Logo, millions more people are getting to know Ru like I do. It's incredible what he's done for the drag queens who compete on that show — bringing them out, introducing them to a mainstream audience, and letting them be proud of who they are and what they want to be.

I am blessed to know Ru. We all are."

See RuPaul's inspirational video interview with Time here [5], then read his most motivational quotes [6].