Edward Cowley is a New Zealand-Samoan entertainer and fa'afafine.[1]
Edward Cowley | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Other names | Buckwheat |
| Occupation | Drag queen |
As a drag queen called Buckwheat (after the Our Gang character), Cowley has thirty years experience on the Auckland entertainment scene,[2] including national television,[3] events with national politicians,[4] hosting an annual flight from New Zealand to the Sydney Mardi Gras and been party to a high-profile media standards complaint.[5][6] He is a regular feature of the Auckland Pride Parade.[7][8]
Cowley worked for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation for almost ten years, working in Pacific and Men's outreach.[9]
Cowley competed at the 2010 Cologne Gay Games,[10] coming fifth in the body building.[11] His preparation was filmed for a 20/20 special on drag queens losing weight.[12] He also competed in charity boxing.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "Fa'afafine star at Pasific event in Queensland". Radio Australia. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2012-03-22.
- ^ "20 years of drag". gayexpress.co.nz. 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "Tuesday February 27 | Good Morning | Television New Zealand". tvnz.co.nz. 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
Assume the brace position! We're mile-high on Good Morning today with drag queen Buckwheat. She's along to tell us all about Air New Zealand's 'Pink Flight' to the Sydney Mardi Gras this Friday so stay tuned - you could win return seats for two!
- ^ "Hone's dated a Pakeha but never a man". nzherald.co.nz. 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "GayNZ.com TV3 fined for dragging up Buckwheat story". gaynz.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has fined TV3 $2,500 for broadcasting news items claiming the Ministry of Social Development had hired popular Auckland drag queen 'Buckwheat' to motivate staff.
- ^ "» Broadcasting Standards Authority". bsa.govt.nz. 2012. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
3 News and Nightline – items reported that the Ministry of Social Development had hired a "prominent drag queen to motivate staff" – reported that the National Party believed taxpayers' money was being wasted – allegedly inaccurate and unfair
- ^ "From burly to ultra-glam in an hour". 7 February 2014.
- ^ "GayNZ.com Review: One Night Only". Archived from the original on 2014-03-08. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
- ^ "'New Zealand Newsroom @ Eventpolynesia.com'". eventpolynesia.com. 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
Edward Cowley, aka internationally-renowned drag diva Buckwheat, is to leave his role at the New Zealand AIDS Foundation on October 5, after nearly nine-and-a-half years of service to the community in Auckland.
- ^ "GayNZ.com Cologne Calling: Buckwheat". gaynz.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "The 2010 GayNZ.com Honours". gaynz.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
Edward is also a mighty competitor, switching the dress and heels for heavy metal and tanning lotion in order to live his dream of competing in bodybuilding at the Cologne Gay Games. He finished in an impressive 5th place - but to us Edward and Buckwheat are pure 24 carat gold.
- ^ "20/20 | Television New Zealand". tvnz.co.nz. 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "GayNZ.com Buckwheat to fight Miss Ribena in charity boxing battle". gaynz.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "Including Buckwheat on Seeded – Radio Week – Entertainment – New Zealand Listener". listener.co.nz. 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.