8-time Queerties winner Trixie Mattel set to host the Queerties for the first time
Oh honey, the Queerties are back, and this year the spotlight belongs to none other than the skinny legend herself. After years of nominations, wins, and unforgettable moments, Trixie Mattel will officially host the Queerties Awards for the first time.
The drag superstar is more than qualified for the job. Mattel has racked up an impressive 16 Queerties nominations and eight wins across categories including Music Video, Comic, Podcast, and Best Read. In other words, she’s not just attending the party this year. She’s running it.
“I heard that this year for the Queerties host they were going with ‘pretty’ and Margot Robbie is busy doing Barbie: The Empire Strikes Back, so I’m happy to step in,” Mattel joked about landing the hosting gig.
From Queerties favorite to Queerties host
Mattel now joins a lineup of past hosts stacked with Drag Race royalty and queer comedy heavyweights. Previous hosts include Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Bianca Del Rio, Mo Heart, Heidi N Closet, and Laganja Estranja. Each brought their own humor and perspective, but few have a history with the awards quite like Trixie’s.
Her journey with the Queerties mirrors her rise in pop culture. What began as a Rising Diva win has evolved into one of the most decorated runs in the show’s history. Hosting the ceremony feels like a natural next step.
A career built far beyond Drag Race
While many still associate her with RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mattel’s career has expanded far beyond reality TV. After winning All Stars season 3 and competing on season 7, she built an entertainment empire spanning music, comedy, business, and television.
She is a Billboard-charting recording artist and a consistent touring draw. Her YouTube partnership with Katya, including UNHhhh and Netflix’s I Like To Watch, remains one of the most beloved comedy duos in queer media. She’s also a cosmetics entrepreneur, a New York Times-bestselling author, and an in-demand DJ booked at major festivals including Bonnaroo, The Mighty Hoopla, and Lightning In a Bottle this year.
That mix of humor, business savvy, and cultural impact makes her a fitting face for a ceremony celebrating LGBTQ+ creators across media.
A look back at Trixie’s Queerties history
Mattel’s relationship with the Queerties goes back years, with multiple wins and viral moments along the way.
In 2018, she won Rising Diva during a ceremony hosted by Laganja Estranja. The moment marked her as a breakout star in queer entertainment. Since then, she has collected trophies for projects across music and podcasting, including wins for Malibu and her work with Katya.
At the virtual Queerties in 2021, she and Katya delivered a memorable green-screen acceptance after winning for Podcast, proving that even a remote ceremony couldn’t dim their comedic chemistry.
By 2023, she was back collecting wins and serving looks, including a memorable “bisexual golfer” moment that instantly circulated across social media.
Now, she returns not as a nominee or winner, but as the evening’s host.
What to expect from this year’s Queerties
Voting for the 2026 Queerties is open now, with fans able to vote once per day until February 17. The ceremony will stream exclusively on WOW Presents Plus starting March 19.
For the first time, fans will also be able to attend the celebration in person. Tickets for the live event go on sale February 18, marking a major expansion for the awards show and its audience.
Additional guest announcements and performers are expected in the coming weeks, but with Trixie Mattel at the helm, the tone is already set. Expect sharp jokes, chaotic glamour, and at least one perfectly timed self-deprecating punchline.
After years of winning, it’s finally her turn to run the stage.