The Legacy of BeBe Zahara Benet

On February 2, 2009, a new competition show debuted on Logo, the LGBTQ television channel from the Paramount family of television networks. It would become a global phenomenon as it brought drag culture to the masses on a scale never thought of before.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” began with an initial cast of nine contestants. One of them would our own BeBe Zahara Benet. She came from Cameroon via Minneapolis to take her place at a Los Angeles studio in front of host and drag superstar RuPaul Charles, and judges Santino Rice and Merle Ginsburg. Seven episodes later, BeBe was crowned as the show’s first winner – the first Drag Superstar of the entire “RuPaul’s Drag Race” universe.

Since BeBe’s crowning, there have been 14 successors to her reign in the United States alone. Plus, the number of winners across the many franchises if the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” universe – including international editions, All Star seasons, and two “Vs. The World” spinoffs.

In fact, did you know that BeBe was the first regular season winner to compete in an All Star season? In fact, she placed third on All Star Season 3 behind winner Trixie Mattel and runner-up Kennedy Davenport.

BeBe is the creation of Marshall Kudi Ngwa. Together, they are creative with a lot of nerve, lots of uniqueness, and is very, very talented.

Where did BeBe’s story begin? And, how did she take our community by storm prior to “RuPaul’s Drag Race?” “I always say Cameroon is my birth home and Minneapolis is my chosen home,” BeBe explained. “My art represents those dualities and a lot of the global cultures that inspire me—from my music to my sense of style. I bring that vantage point into everything I create, because representation is central to what I do.”

BeBe credits the Twin Cities for creating the drag persona we know and love. “This persona was always a part of me,” explained BeBe, “She’s always been there. She was refined and raised in the Twin Cities and now I get to share it with the world.”

Importantly, “I believe audiences can really relate to my immigrant background,” BeBe further explained, “even if they are not immigrants themselves because many understand what it is to be made to feel like an outsider.”

This drag superstar was thrusted onto the spotlight just before her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “RuPaul came to see me perform a few times and asked me to join the cast of the show,” BeBe said . “At that time, I had no idea what the show was and I was hesitant about being a part of it because I wasn’t sure if it would be a mockery of the art form, but I trusted Ru’s vision and the legendary Chi Chi LaRue helped convince me to join the cast. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I packed four giant bags and got on a plane to Los Angeles.”

And, the rest is history? BeBe explained: “What I loved most about the first season is the heart we all had. Because it do take nerve. We just took on each day not knowing what would become of the show. We all had such unique points of view and there was nothing remotely like it on television. Nearly 15 years later, here we are. To be a part of that legacy as the OG is surreal.”

That legacy did not stop at Season 1. “Taking part in All Stars 3 was a great opportunity for me to be introduced to so many people who never saw the first season of the show,” explained BeBe. “I was also able to work with supremely talented entertainers in the cast.”

All Stars 3 was different, yet was bringing back BeBe – the winner of Season 1 – a good idea? “It was a tough sale, though”, BeBe said. “When I was first asked, I immediately thought it wasn’t a good idea. Not that I didn’t think I could compete in a newer season, but I just didn’t understand why they’d bring a crowned queen back to compete against non-winners. It took some serious convincing, but I wanted the challenge and had more to show than what I did on the very first season. A lot of great moments and opportunities came from that experience, and I’ll cherish those things.”

After two appearances within the “RuPaul Drag Race” universe, BeBe was ready for new entertainment opportunities. “We didn’t know what can come with the platform: music, webseries, TV and film opportunities, podcasts, etc.,” explained BeBe. “Instagram didn’t even exist back then and Twitter was fledgling, so the self-marketing side of things was totally different as well. Now, the level of drag on the show has been elevated so high because the art form has elevated. It’s really extraordinary to see.”

In turn, BeBe dove into the work – and has not stopped for even a second. As BeBe pointed out: “My documentary, directed by my friend Emily Branham, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. I’ve released lots of music and videos, a pair of EPs, appeared on TLC’s ‘Dragnificent,’ done some voiceover work for Infinity Train, launched an interior design and decor company based in Minneapolis, completed my first-ever comedy special, launched ‘NUBIA’ and more. I feel inspired to keep creating right now, so I’m just getting started.”

Started? BeBe simply is moving at the speed of light. First off, did you also know that BeBe is also a stand-up comedian? In the streaming video special, “Africa is Not A Country” – now on Prime Video/Apple TV – BeBe takes her first shot at stand up. “It follows my journey from West Africa to America and highlights some of the cross-cultural exchanges that made me quickly realize that I wasn’t in Cameroon anymore,” BeBe explained.

It was not without some self-doubt before agreeing to do the comedy special. “I am not a comedian,” explained BeBe, “but people say I’m funny. So I did my best to just tell stories I felt people could relate to and be honest about how I felt. You’ll have to watch and tell me how I did.”

Bebe was supposed to be on tour with her show “NUBIA: A Brave New World Tour.” She was slated to perform alongside some of the best drag superstars in the business: Davenport, Shea Coulee, Yvie Oddly, Ra’jah O’Hara, and Lala Ri. However, commitments by the other cast members caused the tour to be postponed until next year. They were slated to perform at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul on May 31.

However, BeBe stated that “NUBIA” will return for a Juneteenth show in Seattle. “I want to make sure we can deliver the cast we promised from the outset,” BeBe explained. “And I always say it’s a good thing when Black performers are booked and busy, so we’ll be back in full force very soon!”

With all of these projects in motion, how does BeBe measure success? How does she measure her legacy as a drag performer and an entertainer? “For me,”BeBe explained, “legacy isn’t about material things. I mean, I love beautiful things, don’t get me wrong, but legacy goes beyond that. Legacy is about impact. How many barriers have I broken down? How many people have I opened the door for as it was opened for me? How much change have I affected? Who has been touched by my story? That’s what it’s about.”

If you want a better picture of BeBe’s 15-year-long journey through drag, go watch the documentary Being BeBe. As BeBe explained it best: “that’s been a great legacy to leave behind. The response has been phenomenal. The awards and accolades are nice but it’s the connection I’ve made with people that really speaks to the legacy I want to leave in this art form and beyond.”

Being the first always put forth a legacy ahead for those who follow behind. By working at a clip that keeps you busy extends that legacy. Our queen, BeBe Zahara Benet, continues to lay down a path that all of the winners within the entire “RuPaul Drag Race” universe to follow. A path that continues today.