2025 Emmys: ‘The Traitors’ vs ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and How the Reality Competition Program Category Could Allow Voters to Make a Statement on LGBTQ+ Rights
The first six months of Trump’s presidency have already seen historic setbacks for LGBTQ+ and, specifically, trans rights. Like this past year’s Oscars, there is no doubt that the state of the world will be on the minds of many Emmy voters. But which categories and contenders could be most directly impacted by the world around them, allowing voters to show their support for the queer community?
There are multiple shows in the Emmys conversation with clear ties to current events, including the Ghorman Massacre episode of Andor recalling the atrocities committed against Palestine, and The Studio very cleverly reflecting current anxieties facing Hollywood. But it’s the reality competition program category that could allow voters to make the most direct statement on the ongoing attacks against the LGBTQ+ community.
Reality TV and unscripted content has historically resonated with queer audiences, and that couldn’t be more true than this year’s top contenders, Season 3 of The Traitors and Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s a classic showdown, with The Traitors quickly becoming one of the buzziest new reality shows since its first season released in early 2023, while RuPaul’s Drag Race has been a staple in 2009, with four consecutive Emmy wins in a row from Seasons 10-13.
Last year, Season 2 of the breakout hit The Traitors overtook Drag Race, and Season 3 was arguably the best season yet. The numbers speak for themselves, as this most recent season debuted with its largest viewership to date, according to Nielsen figures. The drama between notable contestants like Britney Haynes and Carolyn Wiger made national headlines, and, in addition to last year’s main victory, Alan Cumming ended RuPaul’s winning streak in the reality or competition program host category. In just three seasons, The Traitors has established itself as the ultimate place for the best reality stars to face off.
Drag has always been political, and RuPaul’s Drag Race is arguably the most mainstream show to showcase the beauty of drag as an artform — in addition to being entertaining comfort food. Depending on how voters are feeling this year, that would make it an obvious choice to take the crown over the expected repeat winner. And the show’s producers have gotten political at FYC events and during various interviews throughout the season, reminding voters of the larger importance of this programming.
The Traitors and RuPaul’s Drag Race are the two shows of interest this year, but looking at the history of reality TV and competition shows puts them into proper historical context. Because reality and competition shows are more unfiltered, pitting different contestants from completely different walks of life together, reality shows often feature broader conversations about the world when controversies erupt and producers decide to air them.
Take the 2017 Survivor episode when Zeke Smith was outed as trans to not just his fellow contestants, but the entire world, starting a larger conversation about the community. Take the time Big Brother (along with other CBS reality shows) made room for more diverse casting, leading to the first Black winner in the show’s history in Season 23, opening the door for more winners to come. Even this year, an episode of Survivor went viral after a contestant with autism struggled during a competition, leaving host Jeff Probst in tears, and making viewers with autism feel seen.
In a category that often sees repeat winners and nominees without too much variation, The Traitors repeating its victory could help usher in a new era of competition shows, with previous winners The Amazing Race and Top Chef as well as multi-nominated Survivor all back as nominees this year. And the show has some queer excellence of its own to tout, with numerous icons featured from Big Brother, Survivor, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Real Housewives, including Gabby Windey, Chrishell Stause and, of course, Bob the Drag Queen.
But if voters want to make an indisputable statement about queer and trans rights with their vote, then expect RuPaul’s Drag Race to come out on top. While the drama, comedy and limited series/TV movie categories will likely get the most public interest, don’t underestimate this race to get a broader look at how Emmy voters are thinking about the state of the world. After all, reality TV has the word “reality” in it for a reason.
The Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program are: The Amazing Race (CBS), RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Survivor (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo), The Traitors (Peacock)
- Interview: Jay Roach and Tony McNamara on Going to Darkly Comedic Places in ‘The Roses’ and the Viability of the Theatrical Comedy - August 26, 2025
- 2025 Emmys: ‘The Traitors’ vs ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and How the Reality Competition Program Category Could Allow Voters to Make a Statement on LGBTQ+ Rights - July 15, 2025
‘Frankenstein’ to Receive Visionary Honor from Palm Springs International Film Awards 
Robert Yeoman to be Honored with American Society of Cinematographers’ Lifetime Achievement Award 
National Board of Review: ‘One Battle After Another’ Tops in Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor; Netflix Lands Four in Top 10 
41st Spirit Awards Nominations: ‘Peter Hujar’s Day,’ ‘Lurker,’ ‘Train Dreams’ Lead