Rupaul's Drag Race makes history with Emmy win
RuPaul's Drag Race sashayed its way into making history at the 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
The VH1 reality competition was a winner in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, breaking a stranglehold that The Voice US had on the category over the last three years in a row.
It was the capper on a hugely victorious year for Drag Race, having already won Outstanding Costumes, Directing and Hairstyling as well as Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program for RuPaul.
@RuPaulsDragRace won the "Outstanding Reality Competition Program" category at #Emmys 2018 ♥️😍 @RuPaul @michellevisage @helloross @CarsonKressley and all the drag race family, CONDRAGULATIONS! pic.twitter.com/SYGGepYjK4
- It's About RuPaul (@ItsAboutRuPaul) September 18, 2018
While accepting the Outstanding Reality-Competition Award during Monday's ceremony, RuPaul thanked his fellow judges Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley on stage and delivered a trademark one-liner.
"This is so lovely. Thank you so much," Ru told viewers. "We are so happy to present this show. I would like to thank [you] on behalf of the 140 drag queens that we have released into the wild!"
Ru thanked his crew, and then got a standing ovation with a classic Drag Race catchphrase: "[This is for] all of the dreamers out there! Listen, if you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen?"
The love was going both ways as some legendary queens and some famous friends paid tribute to Mama Ru on social media:
We're a winner, baby!!! Thank you so much @TelevisionAcad!!! #DragRace snatched the award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program!!! 🏆 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/U6Ric9L9Hk
- RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) September 18, 2018
HERSTORY has been made, kitty girls! 👑 @rupaulsdragrace just snatched the Emmy for Best Reality Series and after @rupaul’s win for Best Host, it’s the first time EVER a show has won the Emmy for both! 🏆 We’re floored, gagged, humbled, and honored.👏 Come THRUUUU! 👏 pic.twitter.com/LnKvmdEJZf
- World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) September 18, 2018
Yasssssssss We won!!! Best Reality Series!!!! Aghhhhh So amazing and proud and Happy for all the work that goes into this show!!! @RuPaulsDragRace @WorldOfWonder @VH1 @LogoTV @RuPaul pic.twitter.com/K61LkigGLj
- Eureka! The 🐘👑 (@eurekaohara) September 18, 2018
WE DID IT! CONDRAGULATIONS @RuPaulsDragRace @RuPaul @WorldOfWonder!!!!!! #EmmyAwards2018 #EmmyAwards
- Detox (@TheOnlyDetox) September 18, 2018
OMG CONDRAGULATIONS 🎉@RuPaulsDragRace @RuPaul @VH1 @WorldOfWonder
Category Closed 🏆 MAJOR JOY! pic.twitter.com/gi0kmtaU8W- Alyssa Edwards (@AlyssaEdwards_1) September 18, 2018
Woo hoo!!! We won!!! Congrats @RuPaul @RuPaulsDragRace @WorldOfWonder @michellevisage @helloross @CarsonKressley @todrick and y’all lookeded GOOD!
- Latrice Royale Inc. (@LatriceRoyale) September 18, 2018
CONDRAGULATIONS, YOU'RE A WINNER BABY!! 🌟🏆 pic.twitter.com/6GDeBRTF3B
- Queer Eye (@QueerEye) September 18, 2018
Mazel Tov @RuPaul and @WorldOfWonder!!!!! Sorry I’m catching up I was in the shower I HAVE A LIFE YOU KNOW
- billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 18, 2018
Ovation for @RuPaul !!! SPREADIN LOVE!!
- Andy Cohen (@Andy) September 18, 2018
I'm LOVING this standing ovation for @Rupaul's Drag Race win! #Emmys
- yvette nicole brown (@YNB) September 18, 2018
Yes!!! Ru Paul’s Drag Race for the win!!! #Emmys
- Fortune Feimster (@fortunefunny) September 18, 2018
Prior to Monday night's gala, Drag Race judge Michelle Visage publicly campaigned for Emmys success by arguing that it was the "perfect time" for the show to receive acknowledgment.
"As an LGBTQIA+ community, it's more important now than ever before to be united, loud, and strong," Visage said in August. "Us winning this year would be a loud statement to the world."
Now it's onto next year, where there will be even more Drag Race in contention for the Emmys. VH1 has renewed the show for an 11th season, and has also ordered another cycle of All Stars as well.
The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards was hosted by Saturday Night Live's Michael Che and Colin Jost from the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, airing live in the US on NBC.
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