RuPaul Charles was a fixture on the New York Metropolis drag scene when he broke out along with his hit dance single “Supermodel (You Better Work)” in 1993. At this time, he’s also referred to as the tremendous host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, having gained eight Emmys for excellent host of a actuality competitors collection beginning in 2016.
RuPaul had already hosted The RuPaul Present, a late evening movie star speak present on VH1, when Emblem, MTV Networks’ LGBT-focused offshoot, greenlit RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2008. Because the host and head decide of the fact competitors, RuPaul mentors drag performers coming into the Werk Room every season to sort out challenges which may contain designing outfits, makeovers, singing, dancing, lip-syncing and strolling the runway as they attempt to keep away from elimination.
RuPaul’s star energy wooed Emmy voters by season eight, for which he earned his first statuette. His quintessentially campy character was on show as he accepted the award: Sporting a pink swimsuit with white polka dots, he stated: “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 collection itself (which moved from Emblem to VH1 to MTV) gained back-to-back actuality competitors Emmys from 2018 to 2023.
Together with his sixth consecutive internet hosting win in 2021, RuPaul shattered the document for probably the most adorned Black artist in Emmys historical past (beforehand held by cinematographer Donald A. Morgan). It’s a document he nonetheless holds, with 14 wins for internet hosting and producing Drag Race.
Whereas his Emmy streak was damaged in 2024 by The Traitors‘ Alan Cumming, RuPaul’s success goes past awards season. Drag Race celebrates queer voices and has offered a basis for drag queens to interrupt into the mainstream. Drag Race alumni embody multimedia maven Trixie Mattel, podcaster Bob the Drag Queen, Broadway and TV star Jinkx Monsoon and comic Bianca Del Rio.
And with the present’s 18th season — plus 4 spinoffs — vying for 2026 Emmys, don’t rely Ru out for an additional run.
This story first appeared in a June stand-alone difficulty of The Hollywood Reporter journal. To obtain the journal, click here to subscribe.
