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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2009)
J014Q. 4W JU STOUT COM MAY 29 2009 PERSONALITIES All Hail the Queen Bebe yiecùit auc4¿ IS OF DEATH Life is anything but a drag for the RuPaul's Drag Race Winner by Amanda Schurr TUES The DITTY FROM MEN xfWORK COLIN HAY BAND FRIDAY AUGUST 7 ALADDIN THEATER CV ilMRMlt <vl ’ fahii- TfWn »1 vitw * st » wrir*«'* FREEMARTINS SATURDAY AUGUST 8 BERBATI'S PAN THE TWILIGHT SOUNDTRACKS AUGUST 9 BERBATI'S pan 'V HcArttMto« O' n< mumi ho coNCttn rnut rt*M :> an *^* mh « o »*: i « ícom WWW SQUARtPiGCONCERTS COM TWITTÍR COM/SQUARÍPÍGNW WWWMYSFACi.COM/SQUARtKGCONCERTS Bebe is busy. Poised and fluid in speech, the inaugu ral winner of LOGO and VHl’s hit reality program RuPaul's Drag Race has about ten minutes to chat before her flight to New York takes off. It’s been nearly a year since the series taped, months since it first aired, and her life’s been a whirlwind ever since. She’s cherishing every moment. “It’s been crazy. But you know what? It’s been amazing,” says Bebe Zahara Benet - whose legal name is Nea Marshall Kudi - between pre-departure announcements. “We were in New Orleans last week, and we had people who flew all the way from Dal las and a whole bunch of different places to come and catch the show. And that has been happening in so many places.” Benet, who will appear during the June 11 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race Portland Edition and help kick-off Pride weekend, shot to superstardom as the crowned suc cessor to Ru’s drag queen throne. A genuine, gracious presence, she - along with her eight “sistahs” - bathed in the gauziest soft-focus camerawork and most flattering lighting this side of a Liz Taylor perfume ad, competing in challenges that were part America’s Next Top Supermodel, part Project Runway. But Drag Race did something more than entertain. It eclipsed the camp, didn’t pan der, largely bucked the bitchy clichés. For the show’s innate illusion - the lip-synching for your life, the wigs, all that candy-hiding - it was sincere, classy even. Benet and her colleagues revealed a level of artistry, per formance and pageantry that struck a chord with drag enthusiasts and novices alike. The revelation isn’t lost on Benet. “You’d be amazed, actually, how many straight kip women got a chance to watch the show and how much impact this has had on them,” she says. Born in West Africa’s Republic of Cameroon, her offstage alter ego stepped into the professional drag spotlight six years ago. The impetus for the transformation oc curred during Kudi’s days as a male model on the runways of France: When some female models failed to appear, Kudi was asked to step in - as a woman. Fast-forward to 2008, and a whole lotta face. With each episode, African queen Benet’s lioness* mane, sinewy curves and shrewd understanding of how to work it advanced her to the final lap. Asked why she believes she emerged victorious, Benet cites her everyday diva persona. She’s loyal to her roots at Minneapolis’ La Femme Show Lounge - even if, these days, her hectic schedule only permits her to work there a few times a month. “I’m very real, I’m very down-to-earth,” she states matter-of-factly. For Benet, such newfound fame is less about the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” than it is the opportunity to be the voice of a community - from “all drag queens” to “all the teens m Africa who are suffering from HIV.” The latter remains a priority as she builds the Bebe cottage in dustry; Plans include her own music (forth coming EP Beautiful Day: Prelude to the Dance), a subsequent tour and a charitable foundation to benefit underprivileged youth, both overseas and in America. “I’ve lived in a society where they tell you, ‘A man has to be this, a woman has to be this,”’ Benet says. “Being able to use all that negative energy that has surrounded me and make it more of a positive thing for me, I think a lot of people can identify with that, and it doesn’t only have to do with drag, but it just has to do with when you go through a lot of issues... You have to decide how you want to use them.” Benet keeps in touch with “the girls,"each of whom she says was depicted accurately Let the Hip Chicks bring wine country to you! All 12-15 wines open fior tasting, an occasion not to be missed. Fantastic live music by local musicians, delicious appetizers, and wine tasting all weekend. $15 admission includes logo glass, flight oft wine, appetizers and music. Open extended hour«. Friday nam-gpm. ■Saturday and Sunday nam 8pm. and Monday it am 6pm. HIP CHICKS DO WINE, WINERY AND TASTING ROOM LOCATED AT 4510 SE 23RO AVE. PORTLAND, OR 97202 503-234-3790 WINE Also open at our Newberg Tasting Room, check out our website, www.hipchicksdowine.com (see our website for directions & events) <
