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.
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.