Bunz's Last Shows

Rich Zavala reflects on a nine-year career as one Arizona's most popular drag queens.

By Laura Latzko

Afeelya Bunz

Bunz Bows out

As Afeelya's final shows approach, Rich Zavala looks back on a nine-year career in drag

After nine years in the spotlight, Afeelya Bunz is likely to become emotional before retiring as one of Arizona's most popular drag performers.

But before retiring, Bunz will be featured in a series of shows, including hosting a New Year's Eve show at Apollo's, where the drag diva has had a monthly gig for four years.

After that, the drag costumes, wigs, accessories and awards and plaques will be packed away in boxes. Rich Zavala, the man who is Bunz, said he wants to start the new year out of drag to symbolically represent his new life.

Zavala said he's retiring Bunz so he can devote himself to his career in the restaurant industry and focus his own emotional and physical well-being.

"At the end of this great adventure, I can say I have met a lot of good people. It's been a great nine years," Zavala said. "Now it's time to focus on No. 1."

Zavala choked up while talking about his retirement from drag, paused and wiped away tears while discussing his career. "It's going to be a bittersweet ending," he said.

Zavala said that one of the reasons he thinks he's performed the drag act for so long is that a former boyfriend told him how talented he was days before he committed suicide.

In a career that included a reign as Miss Phoenix Gay Pride in 2008, Zavala said he tried to be a voice for others, especially those who are in pain or who have suffered.

I Love Me Some Bunz Shirt "When I became Miss Phoenix Gay Pride, it was more representing the people who weren't able to speak, who were no longer here," he said.

Zavala said that he has always been a shy person and doing drag has made him more outgoing and confident.

He started doing drag to help another drag queen with fundraisers. His first show was a Halloween show at the old Pookie's Café. What started as a hobby turned into a preoccupation, with performances in local clubs and Pride festivals around the state.

Zavala has been committed to helping charities such as 1n10 and Joshua Tree. He said that in the last five to six years, he raised about $100,000 for charities through benefits.

But he said he always felt he could do more. "I think I stayed with it because I can help other people," Bunz said. "I always said, ‘I don't have the money to donate, but I have the art.'"

There were also pageants. Bunz's titles include Miss Gay Copper City America, Miss Gay Queen of the Desert America and Miss Gay Phoenix America.

Among the awards are Phoenix Pride's Tish Tanner Spirit Award and Echo Magazine Readers' Choice Awards for Hottest Drag Queen.

Zavala said his one regret is that he didn't tell his whole family about his drag career earlier. He said two of his best drag moments were when his family saw him perform in Yuma and when his father showed his support during Bunz's step down for Miss Phoenix Gay Pride.

Afeelya Bunz "Just to hear my father tell me how proud he was of what I did for people was amazing," he said.

Other memorable moments include performing for youth at gay camp, performing for an Alcoholics Anonymous group with a flashlight as a spotlight, jumping into a pool in full drag during a bachelorette party and hosting a teddy bear drive for Joshua Tree. As host of Flagstaff Pride this year, Bunz and Chase Carpini from Whiskey Rodeo, staged a wedding ceremony.

Zavala said he has been committed to giving new performers a chance. He said his "drag kids" include former drag king Brandon Packer, drag king Nikki Kidd, former drag king Ace Masters, drag king Mickey O'Doul and drag king Gunner Gatlyn. Drag queen Sache Van Cartier has been Bunz's drag mom since 2005.

Although he has performed to a range of music, Zavala said he enjoys ballads the most because they are so expressive. His favorites include Beyoncé's "I Was Here," Mary J. Blige's "The Living Proof" and Jennifer Holliday's "And I'm Telling You."

"When I'm done with the song, and I see people wiping tears away, I know I've done my job," Zavala said.

Zavala said he hopes people remember Afeelya Bunz as a funny, crazy and caring drag performer.

"A lot of people are going to remember me as a benefit queen, but that's OK. As long as they remember me," Zavala said. "Whether they love me or hate me, they are going to remember me." -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Afeelya Bunz's last shows

Dec. 9: A roast of Afeelya Bunz will start at 9:30 at The Rock, 4129 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix.
Dec. 15: A farewell party and benefit for the YEP! House and Joshua Tree will begin at 7 p.m. at Club Palazzo, 710 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Dec. 31: Bunz will host the New Year's show at Apollo's Lounge, 5749 N. Seventh St., Phoenix.

What they say about Afeelya Bunz

Susan Martin, who performed as drag king Brandon Packer, said when she started doing drag in Phoenix five years ago, Bunz helped her to get bookings and served as a mentor. Martin said that Bunz has always stressed the importance of giving back to the community. "You get to be someone else for the night, and if you're doing it for charity, you're doing it right," Martin said.

Hannah Fletcher, also known as drag king Nikki Kidd, said Bunz has helped drag kings get greater recognition. "One of the things I've always enjoyed about Afeelya is she respects entertainers across the board," Fletcher said. "She always encourages entertainers to continue their art form." Fletcher said that Bunz has helped her with benefits, including an impromptu fundraiser for the YEP! House they put together after she received a bad check. "That's what family does. It takes a bad situation, no matter what it is, and makes it into a good situation," Fletcher said. "She's touched so many lives she's almost forgotten how much she's helped people."

Christy Barnett, who performed as drag king Ace Masters, said Bunz has always encouraged drag kids find their own styles and voices as performers. Barnett said she will remember Bunz as a fun loving and vibrant queen who never took drag too seriously. "She is the first person to laugh at herself," Barnett said. "It makes you want to be a person that lives your life openly and full of happiness."

Lee Revelle, co-owner of Apollo's Lounge and one of Bunz's "drag grandparents," described Bunz as an energetic, emotional, funny and personable performer devoted to the community to the point where Zavala hasn't been able to have a personal life. Revelle said that Bunz's retirement will leave a hole in the drag community because no one performer can do everything Bunz has done. "No one entertainer will fill her shoes, but several will step up to fill the gap that Afeelya leaves behind," Revelle said.