RuPaul Charles, star, host and producer of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, has become the most awarded person of colour in Emmy’s history.
During yesterday’s Emmy’s ceremony, season 13 of the show won the award for Outstanding Competition. It was Charles’ 11th Emmy win.
It was not the only record he broke: he also won Oustanding Host for a Reality of Competition Program for the sixth year running at the Creative Arts Emmy’s last week.
In his acceptance speech for the Outstanding Competition win, Charles said: “Thanks to all of our lovely children on our show, from around the world.”
“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. For you kids out there watching, you have a tribe that is waiting for you. We are waiting for you, baby. Come home to Mama Ru!”
Charles’ Drag Race empire has become a global hit, spawning Thai, Canadia, UK and Australian spin-offs.
Despite Charles’ record-breaking achievement, the 2021 Emmy’s has once again faced widespread criticism for its almost entirely-white winning line-up.
Both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety have coined the evening as ‘#EmmysSoWhite’, playing on the #OscarsSoWhite movement, which first started in 2015.
#OscarsSoWhite pointed to the lack of recognition of non-white creators at industry awards.
Despite actors of colour representing 44 per cent of the nominees in this year’s Emmy’s acting categories, all of the winners across these categories were white. There are 12 acting categories, including both lead and supporting roles.
Indeed, only two other creators of colour joined RuPaul Charles in winning an Emmy at last night’s ceremony.
British writer and actor Michaela Cole became the first Black woman to win the Oustanding Writing In A Limited Series award for her ground-breaking program May I Destroy You.
Debbie Allen also won her fifth Emmy, receiving the 2021 Governor’s Award.
Despite repeated vows from the entertainment industry to prioritise inclusivity and diversity, those ideals do not seem to be translating into the award ceremonies themselves.
