How RuPaul Turned ‘Drag Race’ Into an Emmy Juggernaut

Skip to main content By McKinley Franklin Plus Icon McKinley Franklin View All June 21, 2026 12:00pm Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment RuPaul (center) on RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight, for which he earned the first of eight consecutive reality host Emmy awards. THR announced the launch of the show in 2008. Logo/Courtesy Everett Collection Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment RuPaul Charles was a fixture on the New York City drag scene when he broke out with his hit dance single “Supermodel (You Better Work)” in 1993.

Today, he’s also known as the super host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, having won eight Emmys for outstanding host of a reality competition series starting in 2016. RuPaul had already hosted The RuPaul Show, a late night celebrity talk show on VH1, when Logo, MTV Networks’ LGBT-focused offshoot, greenlit RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2008. As the host and head judge of the reality competition, RuPaul mentors drag performers entering the Werk Room each season to tackle challenges that might involve designing outfits, makeovers, singing, dancing, lip-syncing and walking the runway as they try to avoid elimination.

Related Stories Hollywood Flashback When Celtics Fans Went Too Far Hollywood Flashback Why 'Ugly Betty' Still Stands Out in TV History RuPaul’s star power wooed Emmy voters by season eight, for which he earned his first statuette. His quintessentially campy character was on display as he accepted the award: Sporting a pink suit with white polka dots, he said: “Earlier this year, I was quoted as saying I’d rather have an enema than have an Emmy. But thanks to the Television Academy, I can have both!”

The series itself (which moved from Logo to VH1 to MTV) won back-to-back reality competition Emmys from 2018 to 2023. With his sixth consecutive hosting win in 2021, RuPaul shattered the record for the most decorated Black artist in Emmys history (previously held by cinematographer Donald A. Morgan).

It’s a record he still holds, with 14 wins for hosting and producing Drag Race. While his Emmy streak was broken in 2024 by The Traitors‘ Alan Cumming, RuPaul’s success goes beyond awards season. Drag Race celebrates queer voices and has provided a foundation for drag queens to break into the mainstream.

Drag Race alumni include multimedia maven Trixie Mattel, podcaster Bob the Drag Queen, Broadway and TV star Jinkx Monsoon and comedian Bianca Del Rio. And with the show’s 18th season — plus four spinoffs — vying for 2026 Emmys, don’t count Ru out for another run. This story first appeared in a June stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up game changer ‘Game Changer’ Built a Fandom on Chaos. Now Dropout Wants Emmy Voters to Notice Selma Blair ‘Legally Blonde’ Stars Reunite for First Time in 25 Years Ahead of ‘Elle’ Prequel Series Top Chef Kristen Kish Crossed Into ‘The Traitors’ Territory, But ‘Top Chef’ Is Still Her Emmy Focus Warren Littlefield James Burrows Appreciation: Warren Littlefield Says “There Would Have Been No ‘Must See TV’ on NBC Without Jimmy” (Exclusive) Live Feed Rebecca Hall on Finding a New Frequency with ‘The Listeners’ and Whether ‘Onslaught’ Is a Stealth ‘The Guest’ Sequel Will and Grace “We Lost a Giant”: James Burrows Mourned by ‘Friends’ and ‘Will & Grace’ Stars Icon Link Plus Icon The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation.

© 2026 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. All Rights Reserved. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.

Powered by WordPress.com VIP ad Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment RuPaul Charles was a fixture on the New York City drag scene when he broke out with his hit dance single “Supermodel (You Better Work)” in 1993. Today, he’s also known as the super host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, having won eight Emmys for outstanding host of a reality competition series starting in 2016.

RuPaul had already hosted The RuPaul Show, a late night celebrity talk show on VH1, when Logo, MTV Networks’ LGBT-focused offshoot, greenlit RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2008. As the host and head judge of the reality competition, RuPaul mentors drag performers entering the Werk Room each season to tackle challenges that might involve designing outfits, makeovers, singing, dancing, lip-syncing and walking the runway as they try to avo