RuPaul nominated for first Emmy Award

IT took eight seasons and more than 100 episodes for popular LGBTI reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race to be recognised at the Emmy Awards.

The Emmys are the US top awards for television with nominations announced overnight.

Drag Race pits drag queens aspiring to be America’s drag superstar against each other in diverse challenges, from sewing, comedy, dance, singing and runway looks to prove which queen has the most charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to win.

RuPaul was nominated for outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program and the show was recognized for outstanding costumes for a variety, nonfiction or reality program.

I dedicate this Emmy nomination to outsiders everywhere. Brave souls who stick to their dreams and make the world a more colorful place.

— RuPaul (@RuPaul) July 14, 2016

I must say that I am very, very happy that the legendary @RuPaul got an Emmy nom! It’s about damn time! 🙌

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 14, 2016

To the other nominees going up against @RuPaul at the #Emmys pic.twitter.com/vfSpdcoPBk

— Mike T (@majtague) July 14, 2016

“I have a list of people I’d like to thank. And another list of people I’d like to read.” – dream RuPaul Emmy speech

— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) July 14, 2016

RuPaul is in good company at this year’s Emmys as a number of LGBTI people also picked up nominations for their work.

Titus Burgess picked up a nomination in the best supporting actor category for his work on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Lily Tomlin was nominated for Grace & Frankie, Kate McKinnon for SNL and Sarah Paulson for The People Vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

Jeffrey Tambor was nominated for a second time for his role playing a trans woman in the show Transparent.

In other important Emmy news, Lady Gaga was snubbed for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel, but Beyoncé picked up four nominations for her visual album Lemonade, which aired on HBO.

The Emmy Awards winners will be announced on September 18.