RuPaul, the iconic host of RuPaul's Drag Race, has solidified his position as the most Emmy-nominated reality TV host of all time with his 11th nomination.
Throughout his tenure as host of RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul has taken home the award for 'Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program' nine times out of 11 nominations.
The only individuals who come close to RuPaul's record are Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron and Project Runway host Heidi Klum, who have both received nine nominations.
RuPaul received his first Primetime Emmy nomination in 2016, and won every year until 2024, demonstrating his consistent dedication to excellence in his craft.
As well as being the most nominated host in the category, RuPaul also holds the record for the most consecutive nominations.
In 2024, RuPaul's winning streak was finally broken when he missed out to The Traitors US host Alan Cumming.
Cumming, a bisexual icon and fierce trans ally, also won for his work on the celebrity competition show in 2025, and is now a two-time Emmy winner.
Alongside RuPaul and Cumming in the 'Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program' category for the 2026 Emmy are Kristen Kish of Top Chef, Jeff Probst of Survivor, and Ariana Madix for Love Island USA.
Kish and Madix are both queer, meaning that 80 percent of this year's nominees in the category are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
RuPaul's Drag Race itself holds a whopping nine nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, including recognition in key categories such as Reality Competition Program and Host.
Companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked also received nominations for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and Outstanding Picture Editing.
