RuPaul Sets New Record for Most Emmys Won by a Black Entertainer

At Sunday night’s 73rd annual Emmys, the longstanding host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” won three awards, raising his total to 11 since 2016 – the highest for any black performer in history and all of which he received with the competition show.

RuPaul won honors for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, Outstanding Competition Program, and Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, all of which he has won before.

The 60-year-old star received his 16th nomination for the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” franchise at the ceremony. Overall, the show has 59 Emmy nominations and has won 25 of them.

RuPaul, along with longstanding creative collaborator and “Drag Race” judge Michelle Visage, Season 13 winner Symone, and second-place finalist Gottmik, accepted one of the honors.

“Thanks to all of our lovely children on our show from around the world. They are so gracious to tell their stories of courage and how to navigate this difficult life, even more, difficult today,” said the host. “This is for you, and for all you kids out there watching: you have a tribe that is waiting for you.

“Come on to Mama Ru!” he added.

“Drag Race,” which premiered in 2009, didn’t win its first Emmy until 2015. The format has now been exported to the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the Philippines, thanks to the show’s success.

RuPaul shows no signs of slowing down, as he revealed last month that the 14th season of “Drag Race” will premiere on VH1, as well as a new season of the aftershow “Drag Race: Untucked” and the second chapter of “Secret Celebrity Drag Race.”