BeBe Zahara Benet

Early life

Ngwa was born and raised in Cameroon. While growing up, his father played the guitar and his mother frequently sang, later inspiring him to create music. His family later moved to France where Ngwa lived until he settled in Minneapolis at age 19 to complete his college studies and to be closer to family.

Career

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. His first drag performance was alongside Cyndi Lauper in The Gay 90s bar after moving to Minneapolis in 2000. He has participated in drag pageants, including Miss US of A.

''RuPaul's Drag Race'' and other television

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, Ngwa auditioned for the first season of Logo's reality-TV drag-queen competition RuPaul's Drag Race.

He eventually became one of nine queens cast in the season, having been selected out of thousands of applicants. 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.

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

Benet was revealed as the surprise 10th contestant on the third season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, 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.

Music

Benet's first dance single, "I'm the Sh*t", has been remixed by Felix Baumgartner, Ralphi Rosario and Mark Picchiotti. 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). He released his third single "Dirty Drums" on April 17, 2012 via iTunes. His fourth single, "Face," was released on March 3, 2014.

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

Other ventures and tours

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. In 2018, Ngwa created "Roar", a monthly show featuring interacting dancing.

In 2020, he 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.

In June 2021, Ngwa was 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. In August 2021, he was a featured performer and in Klub Kids London Presents: NOIR: The Tour, where 25% of the proceeds from the production was donated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

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. The film won the 2021 Best Documentary Award at the Provincetown International Film Festival.

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

Personal life

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

He has named Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, and Alphadi as personal fashion icons. 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.

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

Filmography

Film

Television

Web series

Music videos

Discography

Albums

Comedy albums

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Guest appearances

Notes

References

References

1. Desta, Yohana. "Catching Up with BeBe Zahara Benet, the Very First Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race". HWD.
2. (15 February 2019). "'Drag Me Down The Aisle' Is The New Drag Queen Wedding Show We All Need".
3. Peloquin, Jahna. (February 2018). "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution". Minnesota Monthly.
4. Sumanga, Rufaro. (April 8, 2020). "In Conversation With Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet: 'You Don't Stop Doing Your Work'".
5. (2018-05-15). "How Bebe Zahara Benet starred not one but twice on 'Drag Race'". Queerty.
6. Juergens, Brian. (2009-03-25). "Interview with the next drag superstar BeBe Zahara Benet". AfterElton.com.
7. "Absolut Dirty Martini - BeBe Zahara Bennet". Logo TV.
8. "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution".
9. Nesterak, Max. (March 30, 2018). "From Cameroon to Mpls. to international drag star: BeBe Zahara Benet serves face".
10. Bloom, Mike. (June 15, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race Winner BeBe Zahara Benet Looks Back on 15 Years in Drag in New Documentary".
11. Stern, Randy. (June 1, 2023). "The Legacy of BeBe Zahara Benet".
12. Katz, Evan. (August 14, 2019). "Revisiting RuPaul's Drag Race Season 1, The 'Lost Season'".
13. Sabancontact, Stephen. (March 31, 2009). "Let the Prizes Begin!". World of Wonder.
14. Desta, Yohana. (March 23, 2017). "Catching Up with BeBe Zahara Benet, the Very First Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race".
15. ""RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Bebe Zahara Benet live in studio - CBS Minnesota".
16. Fernandez, Maria. (2010-02-26). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' spinoff: Class is in session". LATimesBlogs.
17. 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.
18. "Bebe Zahara Benet - I'm The Sh*t (Incl. Felix Baumgartner & Ralphi Rosario Mixes)". Traxsource.com.
19. (2014-01-31). "Gay Iconography: 'A Little Respect' For Erasure's Andy Bell - Towleroad". Towleroad.
20. (9 December 2010). "Erasure - A Little Respect (HMI Redux) - YouTube".
21. "Watch Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet's New Music Video for 'Banjo' - Okayplayer".
22. Grant, David. (2018-12-13). "WATCH: BeBe Zahara Benet's 'Little Drummer Boy' is the only version that's necessary now".
23. Armbruster, Jessica. (October 5, 2017). "Flip Phone and Phi Phi O'Hara team up for a Puerto Rico benefit loaded with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' alumni".
24. Street, Mikelle. (January 29, 2020). "Peppermint, Bob the Drag Queen, Shea Coulee Announce New Show". Out.com.
25. McDonald, Soraya. (March 5, 2020). "'Nubia' revels in the richness of black drag". [[Andscape]].
26. Lindsay, Benjamin. (March 9, 2020). "Nubia Proclaims 'Black Queens Matter' in Drag Race and Beyond". Vulture.com.
27. Lambe, Sylvia. (June 3, 2021). "'LGBTQIA+ YOUTHS OF COLOR' HOST SERIES OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS". YourHub.
28. Herrera, Ivan. (June 3, 2021). "Pride Bigger than Texas virtual celebration to include 'Drag Race' stars, Tejano singer Shelly Lares, local entertainers". KSAT.
29. Damshenas, Sam. (June 8, 2021). "17 incredible LGBTQ+ friendly events you can attend in the UK this year".
30. Reddish, David. (June 24, 2021). "BeBe Zahara Benet opens up on her wild, post-'Drag Race' career in 'Being BeBe'".
31. Fleming, Mike. (August 25, 2021). "Watch trailers for key entries at Out on Film 2021".
32. Dana Moskowitz Grumdahl. (September 19, 2021). "The Birth of BeBe Zahara Benet".
33. (18 February 2018). "Bebe on Her Drag Origins in Cameroon 'Deleted Scene' | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars".
34. Peloquin, Jahna. (February 1, 2018). "RuPaul's Drag Race's BeBe Zahara Benet Talks About Her Style Evolution".
35. Cassell, Heather. (June 20, 2022). "With drag under attack, "Being BeBe" personalizes a performer's journey".
36. Ramos, Dino-Ray. (March 29, 2021). "OUTtv Media Group Teams With Producer Entertainment Group Launch First LGBTQ+ Apple TV Channel".
37. Lewis, Hilary. (May 3, 2021). "Tribeca Adds Online Screenings to 2021 Festival Lineup".
38. STAFF, Vice. (2019-03-07). "'VICE LIVE' Meets Drag Queens BeBe Zahara Benet and Alexis Michelle". Vice.com.
39. Soren, Tracy. (2019-06-21). "A Drag Queen's Guide To Getting Fuller, Luscious Lips With Makeup In Minutes". RachelRayShow.com.
40. Cao, Caroline. (2020-01-17). "'Infinity Train' Season 2 Review: A Delightful Blend of Science Fiction and Whimsy". SlashFilm.com.
41. (March 1, 2022). "Nubia Amplified Episode One Black Cultural Appropriation {{!}} Full Episode {{!}} OUTtv". OUTtv.
42. Rice, Lynette. (May 1, 2023). "'Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
43. (April 18, 2014). "BeBe Zahara Benet on WOW Shopping Network". [[YouTube]].
44. (April 22, 2014). "James St. James and BeBe Zahara Benet: Transformations". [[YouTube]].
45. (August 25, 2015). "Part 3 {{!}} Drag Queens Reading Mean Comments w/ Jinkx, Bebe, Raja, Raven, Chad, Tyra, Sharon, Violet". [[YouTube]].
46. (March 19, 2018). "Whatcha Packin: BeBe Zahara Benet {{!}} Season 3 Episode 8 {{!}} RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars". [[YouTube]].
47. (June 18, 2018). "Hey Qween with Bebe Zahara Benet, Jonny McGovern, & Lady Red Couture at DragCon LA 2018". [[World of Wonder (company).
48. (May 20, 2019). "FOLLOW ME: Pangina Heals". [[YouTube]].
49. (March 8, 2020). "Bobbin' Around!-Nubia". [[YouTube]].
50. Nolfi, Joey. (July 2, 2020). "Drag Race's BeBe and Ongina reveal the truth behind season 1's infamous filter".
51. (June 17, 2021). "Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire and RuPaul's Drag Race Alums Celebrate Pride". Jack Daniel's.
52. Munzenrieder, Kyle. (2019-05-03). "How RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Became the Hottest Music Video Accessory". WMagazine.com.
53. Damshenas, Sam. (May 29, 2018). "Bebe Zahara Benet revives Jungle Kitty for her gag-worthy new video". GayTimes.com.
54. Freeman, Jon. (December 12, 2018). "Watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Stars Perform Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'". Rollingstone.com.
55. Samanga, Rufaro. (April 2, 2020). "Watch Cameroonian Drag Artist Bebe Zahara Benet's New Music Video for 'Banjo'". Okayafrica.com.
56. Daw, Stephen. (April 24, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Mxmtoon, Billy Porter, Shea Diamond & More".
57. Dawe, Luke. (April 4, 2023). "Jinkx Monsoon and More 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Stars Announce Stand Up Comedy Specials".
58. Samanga, Rufaro. (April 24, 2020). "Listen to BeBe Zahara Benet's New EP 'Broken English'". Okayafrica.com.
59. Nguyen, Nikki. (December 10, 2021). "Listen to BeBe Zahara Benet's New EP 'Broken English'". The WOW Report.
60. McIntyre, Hugh. (May 8, 2020). "'Drag Race' Champion BeBe Zahara Benet Talks New Music And Getting Back On The Road Post-Coronavirus".
61. "RuPaul Chart History – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs".
62. (2021-03-24). "NEW MUSIC – "Winner Winner (Chicken Dinner Remix)" by Yvie Oddly Featuring BeBe Zahara Benet and Shea Couleé".