Emily Branham, BeBe Zahara Benet
Thirteen seasons, four spin-offs and seven international releases later, BeBe Zahara Benet still stands out among the dozens of artists who took part in Drag Race.
The elegant Cameroonian-born artist (real name Marshall Ngwa) became the first winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. He returned to the show with Drag Race All Stars Season 3 in 2018. Following his success on Drag Race, Benet released three dance albums, appeared in the digital series Infinity Train, and toured the world with his act, collaborating occasionally with other Drag Race alumni including Bob The Drag Queen, Peppermint, Shea Couleé, The Vixen and Monique Heart.
Benet is now collaborating with director Emily Branham for the first time on Being BeBe, a new documentary film retracing Benet’s career over 15 years. The film, as Branham watches, follows Benet as he prepares for Drag Race, enjoys his first wave of international fame, struggles to find work, and gets back on his feet. The film also examines the effect of Benet’s success on his native Cameroon, where homosexuality remains highly illegal. It’s a naked look at an accomplished artist, reluctant activist, and intensely private person struggling for a career in showbusiness.
As Being BeBe prepares to wrap up the Provincetown International Film Festival June 23-25, we caught up with Benet and Branham to discuss their unexpected collaboration, the film’s long gestation period, and ongoing career. Baby. Being BeBe is screened in person and online as part of the Provincetown International Film Festival through June 25.
So it’s a film that has lasted for 15 years. Emily, why BeBe?
EB: I mean, I don’t feel like I found BeBe. BeBe crossed my path through my sister dancing for him at her first national drag competition. I live in New York, but I am originally from Minneapolis. My sister was there and had responded to a back dance ad for a Cameroonian drag queen. I was thinking it looks like an amazing short film.
Interesting.
EB: Then, three years later, RuPaul’s Drag Race come. I was thinking maybe it’s my end. So I pushed really hard to finish it at that point, but it hadn’t covered enough of the scenes unfolding to give it the depth I knew he needed. And I didn’t have any money, so we’d go in and out. And BeBe’s story continued to unfold in a way that I kept following and pivoting. Then things got really interesting in 2014. BeBe called me, he lived in New York. Things weren’t going the way he needed them to. He said, “I’m going to try another show, but if that doesn’t move the needle the way I need it, I’m going to leave New York.”
Wow.
EB: Now this is spectacular. Cinematic. It’s a story I could capture unfolding. I just wanted to make a wonderful documentary about BeBe’s journey. He’s a good friend now, and I care about him and his family very much. And it was as if her story could inspire people who might not know or care about Drag racing. It was worth it.
BeBe, what do you think you finally revealed everything?
BZB: This time, David, I said I would take the time to enjoy the moment and be present. I feel like what always happened to me in the past when I had things like, for example Drag Race-i am still like what should i do next? It is still in non-stop working mode. So every time I think about these things, I don’t even remember those moments. This time, I try to take the time.
That’s wonderful.
BZB: You know, when the process started, she came just to document a national competition. But when Emily got there, she realized that my story was so different from the others. I have a different point of view, a cultural background. At the time, I don’t think I took it seriously. After Drag race when my career really took off, everything was so intense. And there was no plan for me, no direction. So when I look back now, I feel like it will give people the opportunity to come closer to me in a certain way. I don’t feel like the fans or supporters really know me. They know what they see on stage. They don’t know my behavior, my past, my family.
Right.
BZB: So I’m a little anxious. People see me as more intimate and vulnerable. They really get to see different sides of me. And I am very proud. It’s a story that needs to be told, and I hope people get as much from it. At the end of the day, I feel like the drag aspect is a very small aspect of the image. And you don’t have to be an artist to pull something out of the story: perseverance, dedication, love, belief, dream… anyone can take something. This is what I am proud of.
What was the biggest surprise getting to know him, Emily?
BeBe is full of surprises. What surprised me at first was how homey he is, how healthy he is. He doesn’t drink. He does not smoke. He is very discreet about his love life. I think if he wasn’t working at a nightclub he wouldn’t be someone who goes out and parties. It is not his nature. And he’s so warm and connects with people in such an authentic way. You wouldn’t necessarily expect this from a great performer. These contradictions really interested me.
How did Emily convince you to go with BeBe?
BZB: It was a battle.
[Laughter]
It was a battle. At first I was like Ok let’s do it. But I had no idea how far that would come to my personal life. And I protect my family, I protect my relationships. And my family does the same. I had to find some very interesting ways to have my family documented. So I build trust with Emily and really believe she was doing the right thing. We had a lot of conversations and got to know each other really personally. And it has been a battle over the past 15 years. There were times she would say “I have to capture this”, and I was like Nope.
[Laughter]
One thing I’m going to tell you about Emily is her persistence. She did everything in her power to tell this story and be honest about it.
It’s interesting to me watching the movie that it almost starts off as a “where are they now” kind of movie. But very quickly it becomes something else. How has your scope evolved?
EB: I think just by the nature of taking that long, and what I was relating to – how important persistence is in a creative career – that became the main storyline. As a performer, stories don’t always follow straight lines. You can peak early in your career and have another peak later. There is nothing predictable. It’s how much work you put into it, how much you keep working. I thought it was something everyone could relate to. And having values in life and in your career that you need to overcome is extremely relevant. It has become the most interesting part of BeBe’s history.
BZB: I feel like it’s a way for people to relate to it. And it’s in any job: we all go through a roller coaster in our careers. I feel like people can get a lot out of it.
One thing I found so compelling about this film is that it is a portrayal of an artist who really pushes himself to new levels and someone who has become a reluctant activist. Was that still your intention?
BZB: Even before Emily stepped on the scene to document my story, I decided I was an artist. When I arrived in this country, I came to go to school. African families, when they send their children here, it is to improve our situation and to be well educated to become doctors, lawyers or engineers. It was not my vocation. I had always known, from an early age, my gifts. I didn’t know what form it would take, but I was very aware of it.
Right.
BZB: When I came to this country to go to school, I was unhappy. I knew there was so much that I was called to do. So I said to my parents, “Hey listen, I’m an artist and I want to develop my craft.” Once that decision was made, I started to work hard to find myself, whether it was in music, fashion or drag. I refused Drag race twice.
Wait, really?
BZB: Yeah. The first time the opportunity presented itself, I was out of town for work. The second time, they came to do auditions. They called me and asked me to audition. I said, “Ehhh.” And I never did. The third time I played “Circle of Life” by The Lion King, and RuPaul was in the audience. After the show, he wanted to talk to me. He said, “Look, I’m working on this show. I think you would be a good candidate. And the rest is history. And I’m saying all of this to say that I worked hard to build a brand, even before Emily stepped on the scene, even before Drag race. Drag race just boosted it.
So, Emily, so when you’re dealing with years of footage and a lot of stock footage, how do you find a narrative? Do you go with the story plotted, or do you find the story in the pictures themselves?
EB: Dude, I wish I could tell you how it went. It was magical and a lot of work.
[Laughter]
I think one thing I learned in 2013-2014 that I didn’t know when I started in 2006 is that it’s not about getting into a cool situation with a bunch cameras and turn them on. You have to go out with a plan, even if that plan will inevitably change. Life intervenes. But if you don’t come in with a plan that you can tweak, you’ll be in trouble. I feel like I made all the mistakes I could make in the beginning because I didn’t really know what I was doing. I have learned so much and gained so much respect for the masters of form. Documentary is so difficult and ineffective. But there’s also something special about meeting new people and stepping into spaces you wouldn’t want otherwise.
You also said that you re-edited the film several times to be true to BeBe’s story and to avoid any sense of ownership in the film. What kind of changes do you have …
