BeBe Zahara Benet | Photo: Supplied
BeBe Zahara Benet has revealed she hopes to return to her native Cameroon in Africa this year.
Speaking about the last time she was there, BeBe told Gay Star News: ‘It’s been a while since I went back home. Every time I’ve tried, there’s been a project I couldn’t leave.’
She furthermore added: ‘But hopefully this holiday coming up, I’m going to go. I of course have family and friends there, that’s where I’m from. I want to go and take some time to really take it all in.’
BeBe was speaking to Gay Star News ahead of her appearance at DragWorld UK in London.
The star was born in Cameroon, but later settled with her family in Minneapolis in the US.
Cameroon is found in central Africa, and shares a border with Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.
Same-sex sexual activity carries punishments ranging from five years imprisonment to fines to vigilante executions in Cameroon.
In 2011, three men in Cameroon were sentenced to five years in prison for homosexual acts. Their conviction was overturned in 2013.
Also in 2013, a Cameroon appeals court acquitted two men found guilty of homosexuality for wearing women’s clothing and ordering a cream-based liqueur.
‘I have to go very incognito honey!’
BeBe found fame as the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race back in 2009.
Her fame once again skyrocketed when she returned for this year’s series of All Stars 3, placing joint third/fourth place with Shangela.
Talking about whether she’s nervous returning to the country when her profile is at an all-time high, BeBe furthermore added: ‘I think my approach to that is not creating any… [laughs] I think I have to go very incognito honey! I just want to go and spend some quality time. Go to the motherland as opposed to “Look at me! I am this! This is what I have done!”’
She furthermore continued: ‘When you talk about nerves, I don’t think it’s nerves. It’s a little bit of anxiety because there’s a lot happening. I don’t know if you know, there’s a lot happening politically in Cameroon.’
She also added: ‘It’s not as stable politically as I’d want it to be. With that, it’s a matter of not placing myself in situations where it’s dangerous or unfortunate. I’m praying for my country.’
DragRace UK takes place at Olympia London from 18-19 August.
Check back next week for our full interview with BeBe.
This documentarian has been following Drag Race’s BeBe Zahara Benet for 12 years
