Alan Cumming Lands Third Straight Emmy for Best Reality TV Host
Alan Cumming has extended his reign as the ruler of reality TV.
Cumming took home the 2026 Emmy for outstanding host for a reality or reality competition program, which was handed out at Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmys ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. The Traitors host was nominated in the category against RuPaul (host of RuPaul’s Drag Race), Kristen Kish (Top Chef), Ariana Madix (Love Island USA) and Jeff Probst (Survivor).
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He was not in attendance to accept his award, and presenter Johnny Bananas — a former contestant on The Traitors — took the trophy on his behalf, joking that he wasn’t going to hand over the Emmy “until you bring me back on the show” after he got kicked off early.
Cumming has won the category the previous two years, after breaking RuPaul’s eight-year winning streak in 2024; among the group of veteran hosts, Madix is the newcomer to the category, landing her first nom this year as face of Peacock’s mega hit dating show. The Traitors is up for seven Emmys this year, including reality competition program, production design, cinematography, costumes, picture editing and directing, and picked up several wins during Saturday night’s ceremony; the show has 17 total nominations over the course of its history.
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The Creative Arts Emmys are a two-day affair that see over 100 mostly below-the-line Emmys handed out between the dual ceremonies at the Peacock Theater. These awards are not televised, and take place ahead of the Primetime Emmys show on Sept. 14. The 78th Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.
