RuPaul's Drag Race received quite the nod from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) today when it was announced the show was nominated for eight Emmy Awards. One of the categories in which the show could snatch the win is in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program category - a 14-year-old category long dominated by The Amazing Race, which has won ten times.
Like a true Queen, RuPaul released his own statement in regards to the announcement.
"I want to thank the Academy for honoring the entire cast and crew of RuPaul’s Drag Race, my family at World of Wonder, and our champions at VH1. It takes a village, people! Their creativity and dedication to telling the stories of our brave and talented queens never ceases to amaze, amuse and inspire,” said the world's most famous drag queen and host of the reality competition.
Fans have reacted with an outpour of love, too.
@RuPaulsDragRace @RuPaul So many Emmy nominations! Costumes! Untucked!! Reality Competition!! And most importantly Host!!!!! Shantay!
— (Hobo) Eric Knopp (@knoppleberry) July 13, 2017
I feel like @RuPaul has redefined the reality competition format with this season's final. Well Done! Emmy for you! @RuPaulsDragRace
— Eli in Vegas (@EliGrant_Vegas) June 24, 2017
This isn't the first time the show has received much-deserved credit for its creativity, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Last year, Mama Ru won his own Emmy in the Outstanding Reality Host category for his work on season 8. Since moving to VH1 for season 9, the show has garnered even more fame and much higher ratings, which have both contributed to its new mainstream success.
RPDR also won Best Reality Competition at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards, and RuPaul was recently named one of Time's most influential people of 2017, an honor bestowed on those "shaping the future."
Voting begins in August, and winners will be announced during the 69th Annual Emmy Awards on September 17.
Now, sashay away.