RuPaul Wins First Emmy for ‘Drag Race’

“Everybody within the sound of my voice is in drag, right now, whether you know it or not”, Emmy victor RuPaul Charles told reporters after his Sunday night win for best reality show host at the Creative Emmys.

The 55-year-old actor and fashion icon beat out seasoned broadcasting veterans Ryan Seacrest for American Idol, Project Runway’s Heidi Klum and Steve Harvey for Little Big Shots among others to clinch the award.

The main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be held next Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8/7c on ABC. “I really did not expect this”, he exclusively told E! “I didn’t expect I was going to have this in my hand for the dance”. It was also Charles’ first-ever Emmy nomination.

Upon winning the award, he received a huge amount of support from celebrities on Twitter, including best squirrel friend Michelle Visage, Lisa Kudrow, and Drag Race alumni Bianca Del Rio. “I accept this for them”, he said. “On behalf of those people – my tribe – I am so grateful”. The awards were handed out over the weekend as part of the Creative Arts Emmys.

The award, which has only been given out since 2008, has been won by Survivor host Jeff Probst four times. “It’s so important for all the young people around the world who get to see this show to hear that there is a way for you to navigate this life”.

Drag Race has run for eight regular seasons and two All Stars seasons, the latter of which is now airing in the States. “But thanks to the Television Academy, I can have both!” said Ru, according to Deadline.