And America’s Next Drag Superstar Is …
Last night, David and I cracked open a bottle of Absolut Mango and raised a glass to toast the season finale of the amazingly fabulous LOGO competitive reality TV program RuPaul’s Drag Race. As I mentioned on the blog previously, I was a late-comer to the show but managed to catch-up in time to really enjoy the series and watch as America’s Next Drag Superstar was crowned queen on last night’s finale ep:
For those of you who aren’t aware, LOGO aired an 8-ep season of RuPaul’s Drag Race which is a little bit Project Runway, a little bit America’s Next Top Model and a lotta bit fabulosity. Each week, drag contestants from around the world competed to become America’s Next Drag Superstar in the hopes of following in RuPaul’s trailblazing footsteps. I’m not kidding when I say that RuPaul’s Drag Race is the most entertaining competitive reality TV series that I’ve seen in a while … it was a great substitute for Project Runway (which has been kept off the air due to legal wrangling). Last night, RuPaul crowned her successor. After the jump, find out who won …
America’s Next Drag Superstar is Ms. Bebe Zahara Benet:
Last night Minneapolis, Minnesota and Cameroon native, Bebe Zahara Benet, was declared by RuPaul as the winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” In the finale episode the contestants were faced with their final and one of their toughest challenge: to perform and rap in RuPaul’s new music video for his dance hit single “Covergirl (Put the Bass in Your Walk .) The final three had that opportunity to sit down with the divine RuPaul for an intimate dinner fit-for-a-queen before they faced the judges one last time and ultimately “lip synch for their lives.” It all lead up to Bebe reigning supreme as runners-up Nina and Rebecca were asked to “sashay away.”
As the newly crowned queen of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Bebe will headline the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” ABSOLUT® “Real Fruit” tour across the nation this summer. Bebe will headline top venues during a series of fashion-forward events in Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and other cities to be announced. Click HERE for more details. Additionally Bebe will receive a feature photo spread in PAPER Magazine, a portrait by renowned photographer Greg Gorman for the l.a. Eyeworks legendary designer eyewear campaign and $20,000 cash prize courtesy of Absolut Vodka and M.A.C Cosmetics.
This show is so fun and I’m so glad that Bebe (from CAMAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!) won the top prize. I was really torn between her and Nina Flowers (who was a fierce beyotch and a spectacular drag queen) but I think my heart was with Bebe. It is a really great thing that a show like this can find success on TV. While I realize that the show may not ever reach the popularity of a show like Project Runway, it has managed to generate enough of a buzz that many people know about, watch and promote the show. If you look back at RuPaul’s career in the 90’s, it’s really very spectacular that she was able to find any mainstream success at all. She released albums, she had her own talk show and she performed with huge stars. It occurred to me that RuPaul found her success in the Clinton years and now that we’re back to having a Democrat in the White House, mebbe it’s time that drag can come out of the closet to play again. I have so much respect for any drag performer for all of the hard work they do to bring entertainment to their audiences. It cannot be easy to be a man in women’s shoes, in more ways than one. Much love and congrats goes out to Bebe Zahara Benet from Camaroon on her win. I cannot wait until RuPaul’s Drag Race comes back for a second season!!!
The series finale will, undoubtedly, reair on LOGO and VH1 this week … you must catch it if you can. OR you can just click HERE and watch it in full online.
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Tags: 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
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March 24th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Bebe is love and I love her for it. I’m glad she won, granted I missed it because I was busy watching Axmen on the History Channel. Nina Flower’s “paint” game is unclockable and no one came near her level of presentation as far as that goes.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:22 am
She kind of looks like RUPAUL version 2.0
March 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am
awesome! I love Bebe!
March 24th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I looooved the show!!! Im from Puerto Rico and I knew bout the show because a newspaper printed an article on Nina being one of the top contestants in the show… So my family and I watched the show on its lasts weeks… Even tho we were rooting for our Nina, the truth is that in the final “lip-sync for your life” Bebe stepped up… But I think this is only the beginning for great things for both Nina and Bebe…
ps… That new brit show “Beautiful People” looks really cool !!!
March 24th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Looks like Tiffany aka New York
March 24th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I like Bebe but love love loved Nina Flowers. I wish she would have won but I wasnt completely disappointed that Bebe won. Both were great competitors and fun to watch. I cant wait for the next season!
March 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Nina was FIERCE… I’m not sure that I agree one hundred percent with Bebe winning, but I can’t wait for next season to start… Trent, thank you for mentioning it on your blog. I watched the first episode then watched the whole series that same day.. haha
March 24th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
CAMEROOOOOOON!!!
March 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Jose is one of Britney’s dancer’son tour now and he’s Gay and oMg he’s hott. Hold on to me SpiderMonkey!!!
March 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
love love love bebe!!! nina flowers and ongina were my other favorites. amazing show–thanks for introducing it to me, trent! =)
March 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
This show was so funny. loved it! gladd that Bebe won!
March 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Trent did you see the reunion show that came on right after? Drama drama drama with some of the queens! loved nina get it loca work girl! LOL but I knew bebe was going to win she did her thing
<3
March 24th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
camaroooooooooooooon!!
ugh, i just love me some ru
March 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Nina shoulda won. She wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill drag queen trying to look “fabulous.” Nina was hard-edge, unique…FIERCE!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Nina had my vote. EXTRAVAGANZA! I love this damn show.
I admit, when I first heard of this show, I wasn’t sure it was gonna work, but I instantly became addicted.
Can’t wait for season 2!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Nina was robbed!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
w007! I really loved Nina but if there has to be only one winner, I’m glad it’s Bebe. :)
March 25th, 2009 at 12:08 am
BEBE, we love u! We always have….one of Minneapolis’ finest…..work that CRAZY ass wig and those tracy chapman songs gurl!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I heart me some Bebe. But I ADORE Nina!!! Thin king of taking a trip to Denver with friends, solely to see her show. LOCA!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:50 am
I totally loved the show!! I have a whole new respect for drag queens. They do work very hard! They were all great I love Nina Flowers too!! She is beautiful they all were gorgeous!!
Congrats to BEBE she really had my heart ;)
March 25th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’m so sad :-(
I was not able to see the video!!!
I live in Canada and it says “… copyrights restric us to from playing this video outside the US …”
March 25th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
aww I never knew this show was on, I LOVE ru paul, ever since ” work” too bad I didn’t get to catch this show, I don’t think I have LOGO Channel, I’ll try to check it out on vh1 thanks for the info Trent:)
March 26th, 2009 at 11:45 am
@YeahYeah — LOL. Then what are you doing here? Looking for attention?
March 27th, 2009 at 5:58 am
OMG!!! This was so not fair!!!! ATENTION every body. for thoese how saw the show you guys know that the winner was supouse to be NINA FLOWERS she was the best, so awsome, something new, diferent, and out of ordinary. We are so tierd of the same drag, again and again….
March 30th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I agree Nina was robbed… she needs her own show! Her personality alone made her the next drag superstar… Bebe was stylish and looked great but not very memorable in my opinion. Nina and Ongina were the ones whose bubbly and hilarious personalities put them in the same league as Ru. Who would you rather have at a dinner party– Bebe or Nina? Seriously! And besides that, Nina is undeniably fierce and her makeup/outfits were flawless and original. God I love her to death. I love you love you love you Jorge!!!!!! xoxoxox
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:59 am
I love this show and I must say she was a great pick. I do love all the girls on here. The are ALL Fab-bu! Love Me Some Mizz. Ru Paul!!!!!!! Smooches!