Kenzie Blackheart

Last updated

Kenzie Blackheart
Kenzie Blackheart 2025.jpg
Kenzie Blackheart on HotHaus Drag Website (Photographer: Deana Lawson Photography)
Born
Matt Hunt

(1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 (age 29)
Basildon, Essex
Occupation Drag Queen
Years active2010 - present
Known forHotHaus Drag UK
PartnerJake Forecast (2023-)

Kenzie Blackheart is the stage name of Matt Hunt (born 7 March 1996), an English drag queen who is known for being "The UK's Nuclear Bombshell of Drag" and for creating HotHaus Drag UK, [1] a award-winning drag show regularly performed in Chelmsford and London. [2] Kenzie has also performed in other independent shows, including Neurodelicious, [3] and annual LGBTQ+ Pride events, such as Essex Pride, [4] Basildon Pride, [5] Colchester Pride and Southend Pride. [6]

Contents

Personal life

Hunt was born and raised in Basildon, Essex. Hunt started drag at the age of 14, initially performing as Lady Gaga, though later creating the alaises of Kitty Kensington and Kensi before their own character of Kenzie Blackheart. [7] Hunt initially performed in a bar in Camden Town before creating HotHaus Drag during the Coronavirus pandemic. [2]

Blackheart was nominated for Community Organisation Award for LGBT at the National Diversity Awards 2025 for their positive contribution to HotHaus Drag UK and the Chelmsford community. [8]

HotHaus Drag UK

HotHaus Drag UK was created by Kenzie during the Coronavirus pandemic and launched on 8 July 2021. [2] HotHaus Drag UK aims to be a "home and safe space" everyone, regardless of anyone's identities. [2] The ethos of HotHaus, which can be heard during every show, demonstrates this by; ‘[operating] an environment built upon equality to everyone, love, respect, consent, and the enjoyment and safety to have a good time.' [2]

In 2022, the company was a finalist in The Panic Awards in the 'Best Regular Night Of The Year' category. [9]

In April 2023, the show hosted its own stage at Poptasia Festival in Basildon with Cheryl [a] from RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 1, RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World series 1 and Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2 and Tia Kofi from RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 2 and winner of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World series 2 performing alongside Jason Donovan, Tony Hadley, Liberty X and East 17. [10]

In June 2023, HotHaus Drag UK created HotShots, a prestigious drag competition in the UK, aimed at discovering and showcasing emerging drag talent. [11] Contestants compete for a cash prize, crown, sash, and the opportunity to join the HotHaus Family, a celebrated community of drag artists. [11]

In March 2024, HotHaus Drag won the ‘Regular Night of the Year’ at The Panic Awards. [12] In the July of that year, HotHaus Drag UK performed at Southend-on-Sea Pride 2024 alongside Crystal (drag queen) from RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 1. [13]

In May 2025, HotHaus Drag hosted their 'Studio 88 Disco Night' at their home venue, HotBox Live Events, [14] with their first RuPaul's Drag Race UK queen headlining as their special guest. Vanity Milan (from RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 3 and Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 1) guest joined the cast, after Cheryl was unavailable to perform due to "circumstances out of control for all parties involved". [15]

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyAward on behalf ofCategoryResultRef
2015Frankfurt Style Public Choice AwardsThemselvesOver the RainbowNominated
2022The Panic AwardsHotHaus Drag UKBest Regular Night Of The YearNominated [9]
2024Regular Night of the YearWon [12]
2025National Diversity AwardsThemselvesCommunity Organisation Award for LGBTNominated [8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Cheryl is referred to as Cheryl Hole on UK series 1 and UK vs. the World series 1.

References

  1. ↑ "IN PICTURES: Crowds wowed by Jason Donovan and stars at Basildon festival". 1 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "HotHaus Drag - About Us". HotHaus Drag UK. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Suffolk drag queens head to London with show that celebrates neurodiversity". 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Chelmsford crowds gather for Essex Pride event". 3 September 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Basildon Pride an 'outstanding' success in Gloucester Park". 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "All you need to know about Southend Pride 2023 on Saturday". 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  7. ↑ King, Mel (4 May 2021). "A day in the life of an Essex drag queen who's been performing since 14". EssexLive. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  8. 1 2 "National Diversity Awards - Kenzie Blackheart". National Diversity Awards. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 "THE NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN COUNTED. We... - The Panic Awards". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  10. ↑ Hume, Holly (30 January 2023). "Drag festival coming to Essex with RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars featured". Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  11. 1 2 "HotHaus Drag - HotShots". HotHaus Drag UK. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  12. 1 2 "The Panic Awards -Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Ress, Daniel (14 July 2024). "Southend Pride 2024: a day of glitter, colour, and festivities". Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "HOT HAUS DRAG AT HOT BOX". 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  15. ↑ @hothaus_drag_uk (9 May 2025). "Vanity Milan performing at Studio 88" . Retrieved 9 May 2025– via Instagram.
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