When I moved to New York City to go college, my mother said, 'If you want to be recognized, you need to go out to a club.' Because we didn't have computers. We didn't have social media. We didn't even have cellphones. So you had to go out to be recognized.

In this quote, Michelle Visage reflects on the challenges and methods of gaining recognition before the age of social media and technology. Her mother’s advice emphasizes that, in the past, people had to engage in more traditional, face-to-face activities to make a name for themselves. In particular, she highlights the importance of going out to a club to meet people, make connections, and get noticed, as there were no platforms like computers, cellphones, or social media to facilitate the process.

Visage’s recollection also underscores the difference between the past and the present in terms of how people gain visibility and fame. In the absence of modern tools like social media, people had to rely on physical presence and personal interaction to network and establish themselves. Her reference to not having cellphones further emphasizes how communications were limited, and people had to work harder to build relationships in real life.

The origin of the quote lies in Michelle Visage's own experiences as she moved to New York City for college. As someone who later rose to fame through her work in entertainment, Visage’s perspective reflects her journey in a time before digital tools allowed for instant connectivity. She grew up in a world where face-to-face encounters and live events were essential to social and professional success.

Visage’s quote also highlights a nostalgic longing for a time when recognition was earned through effort and presence, rather than clicks and likes. It speaks to a time when social interaction was key, contrasting it with today’s more digital, instant-gratification approach to gaining attention.