Drag superstar Bebe Zahara Benet has wasted no time since being the first queen ever to snatch the crown on RuPaul’s Drag Race. This Cameroon native has done it all – modeling, music and theater. She will premiere her latest show, ‘Reveal’ on July 21 and 24 at New York’s Triad Theatre. Bebe describes the venue as “small, very jewel-like. Kind of Victorian. Just someplace you would see Bebe play, very up-close and personal.”
Reveal will encompass themes of spirituality, childhood, music, and culture. The show is, as Bebe describes it, “both theatrical and interpretive.” The story in Reveal is told through narrative scenes, original songs and, of course, fashion. This fierce performer’s outlandish and exotic looks have become, as she says, part of her “branding.”
“We’ll see what we give the kids,” she stated, laughing. “Just a little something to look at. It won’t hurt anybody’s eyes, I promise!”
Bebe is an artist who has always made authenticity her priority, something she is able to accomplish through spirituality, one of the themes of her show. She explained,
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
[quote]One thing that has always kept me grounded and centered as a person has been my spirituality. It’s really more about the universe, and I think everybody has a sense of spirituality in them. I think that you always have to find whatever that is that keeps you centered as a person because, a lot of times, the fame and what we do can take us away from who we are. I feel that there is such a facade when it comes to drag and the “mask.” People are so caught up with the fantasy of it, so I decided that I wanted to really reveal to them all of the layers of myself.”
[/quote]
Staying true to the theme of the show, which is to “reveal” herself to the audience during the performance, Bebe says, “I think we can have some little tricks and things so that when you come you will be surprised! I hope they (the audience) will leave feeling like, ‘I know Bebe now’ and get to know the person behind the mask.”
Since being crowned the original ‘Next Drag Superstar’ on Drag Race, Bebe has established a permanent residence in New York, a city which she has a “hate and love” relationship with, “one that you only really get when you’re actually living in the city.”
In addition, to her illustrious career, she continues to act as a positive presence and influence to fans, rising above any internet controversy that might permeate the drag community.
“I try to live in my truth – what you see is what you get. There’s a lot of negativity out there already. I try to be positive because I think it is very important…to be positive and put a smile on someone’s face. I always try to put that energy out as a person.”
Tickets to Reveal can be purchased on Bebezaharabenetreveal.brownpapertickets.com
Discover more
