A very fabulous Bebe Zahara Benet pulls up to the bumper in a new feature in the July issue of Paper, the New York City-based fashion-forward lifestyle bible (Note: Feature not online yet.). Bebe, of course, was born in the Cameroon as Nea Marshall Kudi and worked as a male model in Paris until he was asked to switch genders at a show due to a missing female model. "Bebe" was born and the rest is history: She was crowned the winner of RuPaul's Drag race on LOGO.
Bebe talks at length about the oppressive atmosphere in some African nations that makes its difficult for LGBT youth: "Ideas we take for granted here, like celebrating individuality and being rewarded for it, are not popular ones in many parts of Africa. I had to come all the way to the U.S, to know who I am and express it with freedom."
In a recent interview with Out, Benet said: "Where I come from drag is unheard of. It’s just not possible. Do you know how many little boys and girls are sitting there and want to artistically express themselves and don’t have the opportunity to just because the culture says 'A is A and B is B'?"
Cameroon boasts one of the continent's more repressive regimes for LGBTs. The central African nation has become infamous for routinely subjecting men accused of sodomy to legal ordeals that continue for years.
love her style, so multicultural and fabulous
Posted by: TB | 30 June 2009 at 18:31
I watched the whole RuPaul's drag race and she is simply lovely. Absolutely love it.
Posted by: Jamar Herrod | 30 June 2009 at 18:50
He/She is a beautiful Black woman and probably would be hated on by heterosexual, God-fearing, strong Christian Black women!
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 30 June 2009 at 18:58
Yes...I know what she is talking about..and Cameroon has some of the finest men on the continent...
;)
Posted by: Etienne | 30 June 2009 at 19:29
Beautiful. Ms. Zahara looks like Nina Simone.
Posted by: DamonM | 30 June 2009 at 20:58
Beautiful.
Love the Star Wars inspired hair dos.
Its amazing what true art can produce.
As Bebe has transcended mere drag performance or female impersonation and has channeled true ART.
Posted by: Mr. FAMU | 01 July 2009 at 00:02
She's beautiful and very skilled at expressing her point of view.
Posted by: chris | 01 July 2009 at 09:13
I live in the Twin Cities, one of the locales where Miss Benet reigns, and She is extraordinary. No surprise she won RuPaul's Contest: none of the other competing artists could have adequately followed in RuPaul's footsteps. Let us pray that one day Cameroon might cherish her and others like her.
Posted by: Joseph | 01 July 2009 at 12:32
She looks like Tiffany Pollard (aka "New York" from I Love New York on VH1) but classier.
Posted by: Nubian King | 01 July 2009 at 17:55
She's giving me Cheryl Lee Ralph in her Dreamgirls on stage makeup days. Loving Bebe. The artistry of female illusion personified. Nothing but make-up and padding. That is what a true artist of illusion is. Bebe is art.
Posted by: Diva1961 | 01 July 2009 at 22:52