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BeBe Zahara Benet

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Nea Marshall Kudi Ngwa (born March 20, 1980), better known by his stage name BeBe Zahara Benet,[1] is a Cameroonian-American drag performer, television personality, and musician best known for winning the first season of the reality-television drag competition RuPaul's Drag Race in 2009. In 2018, he returned as a surprise contestant for the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, placing in the top four.

Bebe Zahara Benet
Benet at NUBIA NYC in 2020
Born
Nea Marshall Kudi Ngwa

(1980-03-20) March 20, 1980 (age 44)
Douala, Cameroon
Occupations
Years activec. 2001–present
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 1) winner and RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars contestant
Websitebebezaharabenet.net

His first EP, Face, was released in 2014, followed by his second EP, Kisses & Feathers, in 2017. His third EP, Broken English, was released in 2020. From 2019 to 2020, he starred in the TLC transformational makeover television series Dragnificent, as the event planning expert.[2] In 2021, Being Bebe, a film documenting 15 years of his life, was released.

Early life

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Ngwa was born and raised in Cameroon.[3] While growing up, his father played the guitar and his mother frequently sang, later inspiring him to create music.[4] His family later moved to France where Ngwa lived until he settled in Minneapolis at age nineteen to complete his college studies and to be closer to family.[4][5][6]

Career

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Benet's first experience with drag was at a Paris fashion show, where he was asked to put on a dress to walk the runway as a female as a last-minute replacement for an absent model.[7] His first drag performance was alongside Cyndi Lauper in The Gay 90s bar after moving to Minneapolis in 2000.[8][9] She has participated in drag pageants, including Miss US of A.[10][11]

 
Benet at Twin Cities Pride in 2009

RuPaul's Drag Race and other television

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In early 2009, after a suggestion from RuPaul himself after seeing him perform to "Circle of Life" at Minneapolis Pride, and encouragement from Chi Chi LaRue,[12] Ngwa auditioned for the first season of Logo's reality-TV drag-queen competition RuPaul's Drag Race.[13]

He eventually became one of nine queens cast in the season,[14] having been selected out of thousands of applicants.[9] He was the inaugural winner of the series, having won two challenges during the competition. Bebe's win would inspire many soon-to-be drag queens to pursue the art of drag, including eventual Drag Race season 8 winner Bob The Drag Queen.[15][16]

A lot of drag artists do exactly what — or even more than what — mainstream artists do. What we do in terms of our transformation, our music, our comedy, it's just legit artistry

—Ngwa, in a 2018 interview[9]

In 2011, Benet appeared in two episodes of RuPaul's Drag U, serving as a "drag professor".[17]

Benet was revealed as the surprise 10th contestant on the third season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars,[18] becoming the first-ever winner in the show's history to return for an All-Stars season. He reached the season finale, having won two challenges, but was not chosen to advance to the final two by a jury of previously eliminated queens and subsequently finished in joint third place with Shangela.

Benet appeared with Jujubee, Thorgy Thor, and Alexis Michelle in the TLC television special Drag Me Down the Aisle which aired on March 9, 2019, and was later picked up as a series and re-titled Dragnificent.[2]

Music

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Benet's first dance single, "I'm the Sh*t", has been remixed by Felix Baumgartner, Ralphi Rosario and Mark Picchiotti.[19] He released his second single, "Cameroon" in July 2010. Benet made a cameo appearance in the music video for Erasure's re-release of their song A Little Respect, in December 2010 (which was a fundraiser for students of the Harvey Milk Institute in San Francisco).[20] He released his third single "Dirty Drums" on April 17, 2012 via iTunes.[21] His fourth single, "Face," was released on March 3, 2014.[22]

Benet recorded a cover of "Little Drummer Boy" for the Drag Race Christmas Queens 4 album.[23]

Other ventures and tours

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In November 2017, Ngwa was a featured performer in Queens United, a benefit show created by Phi Phi O'Hara in an effort to raise money to people affected by Hurricane Maria.[24] In 2018, Ngwa created "Roar", a monthly show featuring interacting dancing.[9]

In 2020, they co-created, produced, and headlined the Nubia tour, a live Drag Show celebrating Black drag queens through original music, group choreography, video installations, live vocals, lip syncs, and narrative-driven performance art. On opening night, Vulture.com praised the cast, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum; Bob The Drag Queen, Peppermint, Shea Couleé, The Vixen, and Monique Heart, noting the “touching sincerity” and “joyous” celebration of black culture featured in the show.

The tour began its run with sold-out shows in New York City, and has plans to visit Los Angeles, as well as other major cities across the United States.[25][26][27]

In June 2021, Ngwa will be featured in "Gospel Brunch Drag Show", an "LGBTQIA+ Youths Of Color Celebrate Black Pride" event, and the virtual "Pride Bigger Than Texas" event livestreamed from the Bonham Exchange.[28][29] In August 2021, they will be a featured performer and in Klub Kids London Presents: NOIR: The Tour, where 25% of the proceeds from the production will be donated to the Black Lives Matter movement.[30]

A documentary film titled Being Bebe premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival from June 19–23, 2021, and later screened at the Provincetown International Film Festival on June 23, 2021, and screened for three days. The film documented the past fifteen years of Ngwa's life as Bebe Zahara Benet, including his journey preparing for RuPaul's Drag Race.[31] The film won the 2021 Best Documentary Award at the Provincetown International Film Festival.[32]

Outside of drag, Ngwa is the CEO of The Lavish Labs, an event planning and decor firm.[10]

Personal life

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Prior to starting drag, he was a choir director and music teacher.[33] He doesn't consider himself a drag queen, and prefers to be called a "drag artist" or "drag performer".[9][33] Ngwa is a devout Christian.[34]

He has named Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, and Alphadi as personal fashion icons.[35] Musically, he has named Yvonne Chaka Chaka as his childhood music icon, and Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Angélique Kidjo, and Davido as musicians he’d like to collaborate with.[4]

Ngwa does not define his sexual orientation and accepts all pronouns.[36]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2020 Nubia: Amplified Themself OutTV original [37]
2021 Being Bebe Themself Documentary about Bebe's life [38]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2009 RuPaul's Drag Race Themself Contestant (Winner) [14]
2011 RuPaul's Drag U [17]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Contestant (3rd/4th place) [18]
2019 Vice Live Guest [39]
2019–2020 Dragnificent Also known as Drag Me Down the Aisle [2]
2019 The Rachel Ray Show Guest [40]
2020 Infinity Train Sashay Episode: "The Parasite Car" [41]
2022 Nubia Amplified: The Series Themself Panelist [42]
2023 Drag Me to Dinner Hulu original reality series [43]

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 WOW Shopping Network Themself Guest [44]
Transformations [45]
2015 Drag Queens React [46]
2018 Whatcha Packin' [47]
Hey Qween! [48]
2019 Follow Me Episode: "Pangina Heals" [49]
2020 Bobbin' Around Episode: "Nubia" [50]
Binge Podcast by Entertainment Weekly [51]
2021 Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire presents Drag Queen Summer Glamp Produced by Jack Daniel's [52]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Ref.
2009 "Cover Girl" RuPaul ft. Bebe Zahara Benet
"I'm The Shit" Themself
2010 "A Little Respect" (HMI Redux) Erasure [53]
"Cameroon" Themself
2014 "Face"
2017 "Fun Tonite"
2018 "Jungle Kitty" [54]
"Jolene" Dolly Parton [55]
2018 "Little Drummer Boy" Themself [23]
2020 "Banjo" Themself [56]
"Body on Me" Themself [57]

Discography

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Albums

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Comedy albums

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Title Details
Africa Is Not a Country[58]

Extended plays

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Title Details
Face[4]
  • Release date: 2014
  • Label: Dakarai Morris-James/Marshall Ngwa
  • Formats: Digital download
Kisses & Feathers[4]
  • Release date: November 17, 2017
  • Label: Savannah Street Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Broken English[59]
The Christmas Chanteuse[60]

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Album Ref(s)
"I'm the Shit" 2009 Non-album single
"Cameroon" 2010
"Dirty Drums" 2012
"Face" 2014
"Get Fierce (Lose Yourself)" 2017 Kisses & Feathers [4]
"Fun Tonite"
"Starting a Fire"
"Dirty Drums/Cameroon" (All Stars Mix) 2018 Non-album single
"Jungle Kitty"
"Banjo" 2020 Broken English [33]
"Fever" 2021 Non-album single
"Waiting" 2022
"Smoke Signals"
"Pull Over" 2023
"Heavy"
"Try"
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Title Year Other artist(s) Peak chart positions Album
US Elec.
[61]
"Drag Up Your Life" 2018 RuPaul, Trixie Mattel, Kennedy Davenport, Shangela, BenDeLaCreme — Non-album single
"Kitty Girl" RuPaul, Trixie Mattel, Kennedy Davenport, Shangela 18
"Winner Winner (Chicken Dinner Remix)"[62] 2021 Yvie Oddly, Brad Kemp, Shea Couleé —

Guest appearances

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Title Year Album
"Cover Girl"
(RuPaul featuring BeBe Zahara Benet) 		2011 Jealous of My Boogie - The RuMixes
"Little Drummer Boy" 2018 Christmas Queens 4

References

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  1. ^ Desta, Yohana. "Catching Up with BeBe Zahara Benet, the Very First Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race". HWD. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  2. ^ a b c "'Drag Me Down The Aisle' Is The New Drag Queen Wedding Show We All Need". Scary Mommy. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  3. ^ Peloquin, Jahna (February 2018). "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution". Minnesota Monthly. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Sumanga, Rufaro (April 8, 2020). "In Conversation With Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet: 'You Don't Stop Doing Your Work'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "How Bebe Zahara Benet starred not one but twice on 'Drag Race'". Queerty. 2018-05-15. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  6. ^ Juergens, Brian (2009-03-25). "Interview with the next drag superstar BeBe Zahara Benet". AfterElton.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  7. ^ "Absolut Dirty Martini - BeBe Zahara Bennet". Logo TV. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  8. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution". Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  9. ^ a b c d e Nesterak, Max (March 30, 2018). "From Cameroon to Mpls. to international drag star: BeBe Zahara Benet serves face". MPR News. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Dana Moskowitz Grumdahl (September 19, 2021). "The Birth of BeBe Zahara Benet". Mpls St Paul. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  11. ^ Bloom, Mike (June 15, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race Winner BeBe Zahara Benet Looks Back on 15 Years in Drag in New Documentary". Parade. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  12. ^ Stern, Randy (June 1, 2023). "The Legacy of BeBe Zahara Benet". Lavender Magazine. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  13. ^ Katz, Evan (August 14, 2019). "Revisiting RuPaul's Drag Race Season 1, The 'Lost Season'". Paper Magazine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Sabancontact, Stephen (March 31, 2009). "Let the Prizes Begin!". World of Wonder. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
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  18. ^ a b Koch, Drew (2018-01-25). "Bebe Is The 10th Queen On 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3' & The Other Queens Should Be Shaking In Their Stilettos". Bustle.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved 2019-12-07.
  19. ^ "Bebe Zahara Benet - I'm The Sh*t (Incl. Felix Baumgartner & Ralphi Rosario Mixes)". Traxsource.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  20. ^ "Gay Iconography: 'A Little Respect' For Erasure's Andy Bell - Towleroad". Towleroad. 2014-01-31. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  21. ^ "Erasure - A Little Respect (HMI Redux) - YouTube". YouTube. 9 December 2010.
  22. ^ "Watch Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet's New Music Video for 'Banjo' - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  23. ^ a b Grant, David (2018-12-13). "WATCH: BeBe Zahara Benet's 'Little Drummer Boy' is the only version that's necessary now". queerty. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
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  25. ^ Street, Mikelle (January 29, 2020). "Peppermint, Bob the Drag Queen, Shea Coulee Announce New Show". Out.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
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  28. ^ Lambe, Sylvia (June 3, 2021). "'LGBTQIA+ YOUTHS OF COLOR' HOST SERIES OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS". YourHub. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Herrera, Ivan (June 3, 2021). "Pride Bigger than Texas virtual celebration to include 'Drag Race' stars, Tejano singer Shelly Lares, local entertainers". KSAT. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  30. ^ Damshenas, Sam (June 8, 2021). "17 incredible LGBTQ+ friendly events you can attend in the UK this year". Gay Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  31. ^ Reddish, David (June 24, 2021). "BeBe Zahara Benet opens up on her wild, post-'Drag Race' career in 'Being BeBe'". Queerty. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  32. ^ Fleming, Mike (August 25, 2021). "Watch trailers for key entries at Out on Film 2021". Project Q Antlanta. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  33. ^ a b c McIntyre, Hugh (May 8, 2020). "'Drag Race' Champion BeBe Zahara Benet Talks New Music And Getting Back On The Road Post-Coronavirus". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  34. ^ "Bebe on Her Drag Origins in Cameroon 'Deleted Scene' | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars". YouTube. 18 February 2018.
  35. ^ Peloquin, Jahna (February 1, 2018). "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution". Minnesota Monthly. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  36. ^ Cassell, Heather (June 20, 2022). "With drag under attack, "Being BeBe" personalizes a performer's journey". Gay City News. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  37. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 29, 2021). "OUTtv Media Group Teams With Producer Entertainment Group Launch First LGBTQ+ Apple TV Channel". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  38. ^ Lewis, Hilary (May 3, 2021). "Tribeca Adds Online Screenings to 2021 Festival Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  39. ^ STAFF, Vice (2019-03-07). "'VICE LIVE' Meets Drag Queens BeBe Zahara Benet and Alexis Michelle". Vice.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  40. ^ Soren, Tracy (2019-06-21). "A Drag Queen's Guide To Getting Fuller, Luscious Lips With Makeup In Minutes". RachelRayShow.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  41. ^ Cao, Caroline (2020-01-17). "'Infinity Train' Season 2 Review: A Delightful Blend of Science Fiction and Whimsy". SlashFilm.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  42. ^ Nubia Amplified Episode One Black Cultural Appropriation | Full Episode | OUTtv. OUTtv. March 1, 2022. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  43. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 1, 2023). "'Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
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  45. ^ James St. James and BeBe Zahara Benet: Transformations. YouTube. April 22, 2014. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  46. ^ Part 3 | Drag Queens Reading Mean Comments w/ Jinkx, Bebe, Raja, Raven, Chad, Tyra, Sharon, Violet. YouTube. August 25, 2015. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  47. ^ Whatcha Packin: BeBe Zahara Benet | Season 3 Episode 8 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. March 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  48. ^ Hey Qween with Bebe Zahara Benet, Jonny McGovern, & Lady Red Couture at DragCon LA 2018. WOWPresents. June 18, 2018. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  49. ^ FOLLOW ME: Pangina Heals. YouTube. May 20, 2019. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  50. ^ Bobbin' Around!-Nubia. YouTube. March 8, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  51. ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 2, 2020). "Drag Race's BeBe and Ongina reveal the truth behind season 1's infamous filter". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  52. ^ "Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire and RuPaul's Drag Race Alums Celebrate Pride". MurfreesBorrow Post. Jack Daniel's. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  53. ^ Munzenrieder, Kyle (2019-05-03). "How RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Became the Hottest Music Video Accessory". WMagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  54. ^ Damshenas, Sam (May 29, 2018). "Bebe Zahara Benet revives Jungle Kitty for her gag-worthy new video". GayTimes.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  55. ^ Freeman, Jon (December 12, 2018). "Watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Stars Perform Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  56. ^ Samanga, Rufaro (April 2, 2020). "Watch Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet's New Music Video for 'Banjo'". Okayafrica.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  57. ^ Daw, Stephen (April 24, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Mxmtoon, Billy Porter, Shea Diamond & More". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  58. ^ Dawe, Luke (April 4, 2023). "Jinkx Monsoon and More 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Stars Announce Stand Up Comedy Specials". Collider. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  59. ^ Samanga, Rufaro (April 24, 2020). "Listen to BeBe Zahara Benet's New EP 'Broken English'". Okayafrica.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  60. ^ Nguyen, Nikki (December 10, 2021). "Listen to BeBe Zahara Benet's New EP 'Broken English'". The WOW Report. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  61. ^ "RuPaul Chart History – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  62. ^ "NEW MUSIC – "Winner Winner (Chicken Dinner Remix)" by Yvie Oddly Featuring BeBe Zahara Benet and Shea Couleé". The WOW Report. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Inaugural
 Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race
US season 1 		Succeeded by
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