As you may recall, drag queen Bebe Zahara Benet was crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar on the LOGO competitive reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race a couple of weeks ago and now is the time for Bebe to start reaping the rewards of her win. Part of the grand prize is for the winner to appear in a national print ad for l.a. Eyeworks as the face of the designer eyewear company … and here is our first look at Bebe Zahara Benet‘s new promo photo for the company’s new ad campaign:
Bebe Zahara Benet, freshly crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar after winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, has just received the first of the many prizes her fierceness has earned. She was photographed by Greg Gorman and is the latest fabulous face in the legendary “A face is like a work of art” series of print ads for l.a. Eyeworks. Still to come for Bebe: $20,000 courtesy of Absolut vodka and MAC cosmetics, a fashion spread in Paper magazine, and a headlining gig on the national Absolut Pride tour.
Some may scoff that a simple print ad like this pales in comparison to the other prizes that are awarded in other more prominent competitive reality TV programs but the fact that we even have the opportunity to celebrate and honor drag is a huge accomplishment. Sure, the prize money may not be as much as, say, the prize money on America’s Next Top Model or Project Runway but we have to start somewhere. As some of you may be aware, RuPaul was featured in a print ad campaign for l.a. Eyeworks back in the 90′s and was, I believe, the first drag performer to be featured in a national ad campaign. After the jump, check out RuPaul‘s l.a. Eyewear promo photo and see where it all began …
Again, I think it’s pretty amazing that an artist like Bebe Zahara Benet can score a high profile gig like this based on the fact that she is a drag queen. It’s one more step on the way to full acceptance of all people. Her ad is fierce and that’s the bottom line. Kudos to l.a. Eyeworks for being a trailblazer in this kind of open-mindedness in advertising … and congrats, again, goes out to Ms. Camaroooooon!
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I watched this whole show the other day and it was awesome! Bebe really deserved to win. She really worked it.
Wow! I remember this ad!
best show ever. bebe’s amazing. even when not in drag, i forgot she was a man.
She is a fierce bitch! I love her ad. I’m happy Bebe won, and I would have been happy if Nina Flowers had won!
In canada we are 2 weeks behind… this past week was a clip show, so I only had one more episode to go… I’ve avoided WOW report because of not wanting to know…. Then my stupid ass came here to check the usual gossip… and bam! all i saw was that damn headline..
YOU SUCK … for today anyway.
Am I the only who thinks she looks like “l Love New York” in this shot?
I love this bitch. This is DEFINITELY one of my favorite TV shows. I CANT WAIT for the new episodes to start airing. CAMEROON!!! :p
She is awesome i love her but i also admire nina flowers i hope we get to see more of both of them..
I am still to this day in totally AWE for the true queen, the gorgeous and most elegant Bebe Zahara Benet! Your beauty and your persona is one of a kind and is truly a Class Act. We all love your caring for your country and the entire world with the fight for AIDS awareness, while on your quest to break the barriers against hatred on drag queens and all GLBT communities worldwide. This is what truly makes you the drag queen superstar that has been bestowed upon you. You are really one of a kind and I am proud to be one of your biggest fans. This is truly your time to shine, so like RuPaul says, “don’t f___ it up!”. I love you dearly, CAMAROOOOOON!!!!!!!!