Why RuPaul's 2021 Emmys Win Is So Significant
RuPaul can't help but break gender norms, barriers, and records. The drag queen star's win at the 2021 Emmys made history. Since its debut in 2009, his competition show, "RuPaul's Drag Race," has been enormously popular. Over the years, the series — and its subsequent spinoffs — has received incredible accolades and been celebrated not only for its objectively hilarious content, but also for shedding light on and lending a hand in popularizing drag culture (via Entertainment Weekly). And at the 2021 Emmys, RuPaul and his beloved show continued to win, win, win.
On September 19, 2021, the show won an Emmy for reality-competition show — more specifically, the "Outstanding Competition Program" award — which will be its fourth year in a row being crowned with this impressive award (via AP News). But while the news is exciting in its own right, it actually meant that RuPaul — the show's executive producer — made history.
RuPaul made history winning his 11th Emmy
At the 2021 Emmys, RuPaul became the most-decorated Black artist since the Emmys began in 1949 (via Advocate). This award will be the 11th one that RuPaul has received in his career. He was previously tied for most-awarded Black artist with cinematographer Donald A. Morgan, revealed during the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards (via Variety), an event at which RuPaul won four awards in total.
In classic RuPaul fashion, he always knows what to say. As he received his 11th Emmy, the drag queen thanked all of the "gorgeous people" at the event, as well as the various teams that made this evening possible. He then directed his acceptance speech to the "lovely children on our show from around the world." RuPaul said, "They are so gracious to tell their stories of courage and how to navigate this difficult life, even more difficult today. This is for you and for you kids out there watching. You have a tribe that is waiting for you, we are waiting for you, baby. Come to Mama Ru!" (via Entertainment Weekly).
One user gushed with excitement over RuPaul's big win on Twitter, writing, "166 queens on Drag Race over 12 years. 11 personal awards. That's herstory."