Quotes from BeBe Zahara Benet

I go into the kitchen and cook with music on or go for walks around my neighborhood when I feel the most overwhelmed.

Generally speaking, the term, 'vanity,' itself can be perceived as negative, superficial and egotistical, but I see it as being unapologetic for celebrating other sides of my artistry.

I've always wanted people to feel great about themselves, for people to know how special they are and really love themselves and accept themselves and celebrate themselves.

A lot of my fans and supporters have been asking for an album.

I do represent a different aesthetic to drag, I have a different point of view with everything.

I think that I've always represented self-empowerment, you being your best cheerleader, you always affirming yourself. I've always been about empowering people. It sounds very cliche in a way, but it's not.

I hope I don't come off as being cocky.

You don't gotta let the girls know you're sweating, honey.

Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, all of these artists that we do love - you see so much of what we do, the personas, makeup, hair, fashion - like, all of is now incorporated in pop culture, and a lot of it has to do with drag, because we over-exaggerate everything, right? We take it out to the next level.

I try to keep a balanced diet, but I always leave room for dessert.

Everybody deserves to showcase their different talents and there's always somebody new you can tap into.

I had always wanted to do a show of girls of color, a show that showcased diversity.

The worst frame of mind to be in is what the fans like or what the fans want, because then you lose the authenticity of who you are as an artist and who you are as a person.

I feel like I am just an entertainer. It does not matter what form I take to perform and entertain. I think I deserve being called a performer because you don't call Tyler Perry a drag queen. You don't call Will Smith a drag queen and all the other mainstream artists who use the aesthetic of drag to entertain.

The first thing I do when I get up is pray and meditate to center myself for the day ahead. I ask for inspiration in my creative endeavors, guidance in my relationships and patience in my journey. It's a great way to get focused for the day.

I have a motherly instinct and I'm always trying to give therapy.

Jungle Kitty is one of the colors of my persona that allows me to be free, allows to be untamed, allows me to have fun and let loose and be ferocious, raw, unapologetic, and carefree.

I don't let the fans rule my world and rule what I do, or how I do it, because as artists we give what we give and you receive how you want to receive.

I respect myself. I have very high expectations for myself.

I love rewatching 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' episodes, 'Project Runway,' 'Making the Cut' and other fun shows. If there's fashion and/or drama involved, I'll give it a watch. And of course I've got to watch my show 'Dragnificent' on TLC!

I feel that my winning 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and also being all the way from Africa gave people the audacity to just be themselves, all while encouraging and inspiring many people back home.

People sometimes think that drag queens are always really confident and fearless because we transform ourselves into these beautiful creatures, and they believe that it's how we live our everyday lives.

I don't get intimidated, you know. Because I feel like when you get intimidated, you become nervous, and then you turn to fear.

For so many years women have reached out to drag entertainers asking for help or advice with their style, makeup or they just want to be our friends.