Tia Kofi

Last updated

Tia Kofi
DragCon 2024 @ DVSROSS Photgraphy -28 (cropped).jpg
Tia Kofi at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2024
Born
Lawrence John Bolton

(1990-09-27) September 27, 1990 (age 35)
Essex, England, UK
Occupation(s) Drag queen, singer
Years active2014–present
Television RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2)
RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (series 2)

Lawrence John Bolton, [1] better known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen and singer from Clapham, South London. [2] They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021), [3] and winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024). [4]

Contents

Early life

Bolton was born in Essex [2] to a Nigerian mother (d. 2022) and a British father who met at university. [5] [6] They attended the University of Nottingham, but did not graduate. [7] [8]

Career

Tia Kofi performing in 2022 Tia Kofi Heaven.jpg
Tia Kofi performing in 2022

Tia Kofi began their career as a drag queen in 2014, when she started drag on the same day and at the same venue as series 1 contestant Sum Ting Wong. Her name is a play on the phrase "tea or coffee?", and as part of their initial entrance confessional, Tia Kofi confirmed that they'd named themself after Tia Mowry from American sitcom Sister Sister and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. [9] Prior to competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK , Tia Kofi frequently performed in venues across South London, predominantly in Clapham.

Tia Kofi is a part of a drag girl-group called The Vixens consisting of Kofi, Pixie Polite and Woe Addams. [10] In December 2020, Tia Kofi was announced as one of twelve contestants competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK . [3] After lip synching three times, she ultimately placed seventh overall. [11] [12]

In February 2021, shortly after their elimination from Drag Race, Kofi released their debut single "Outside In" (co-written by Little Boots, Tom Aspaul and Gil Lewis), as well as a music video on 24 February 2021. [13] In May 2021, Tia Kofi performed alongside series 1 winner The Vivienne, and fellow series 2 contestant Veronica Green at the Vaudeville Theatre in "Drag Queens of Pop", which was one of the first performances on the West End after the third national COVID-19 lockdown in England. [14]

In February 2022, Tia Kofi embarked on RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour alongside the entire cast of series 2, in association with World of Wonder and promoter Voss Events. [15] Her set consisted of "Outside In" followed by "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa and "No Way" from the musical Six . In May 2023, Tia Kofi released their third EP, Pride. Power. Pop. and single "Standing Up for the Lonely" [16] She played the digital assistant ALGO in the second series of "Olga Koch: OK Computer" on BBC Radio 4 from May 2023. [17]

In January 2024, Tia Kofi was announced as one of the contestants competing on series 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World . [18] She later went on to win the series and be crowned "Queen of the Mothertucking World". Subsequently, she took home the first-ever cash prize in the shows history: £50,000. [19]

On 5 May 2024, Tia Kofi co-hosted the opening "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 alongside Swedish drag queen Elecktra. [20] On 12 Dec 2024, Tia Kofi was a co-presenter and backstage interviewer of acts at the 2024 Het Grote Songfestivalfeest concert in Amsterdam.

Political Views

Bolton has previously expressed support for the Green Party [21] and London Assembly Member and Party Leader, Zack Polanski. [22]

Personal life

Bolton dated fellow The Vixens member Pixie Polite for approximately five years. [23]

Tia Kofi is the "drag mother" of Victoria Scone. [24]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Hufflepuff studentBackground actor

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Contestant Series 2 [3]
2021 Celebrity Gogglebox ThemselfBlack to Front Special (alongside Tayce) [25]
2021 Children in Need 2021 ThemselfGuest appearance [26]
2021Be Here, Be QueerThemselfNetflix special [8]
2022Eating with My ExThemselfCelebrity special [27]
2022Celebrity CatchpointThemselfSpecial guest [28]
2022Celebrity LingoThemselfGuest [29]
2022 Bring Back My Girls ThemselfGuest [30]
2024 RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World Contestant/Winner Series 2 [31]
2025 Dear Viv ThemselfInterviewee [32]

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRef
2017"Gotta Get a Grip" Mick Jagger
2021"My House" Jodie Harsh [33]
"Outside In"Tia Kofi [34]
"Look What You've Done"Tia Kofi & Cahill [35]
"Loving Me Like That"Tia Kofi [36]
"Jingle Bell Rock" The Vivienne & Tia Kofi [37]
2022"Get Better"Tia Kofi [38]
"So Good" [39]

Internet series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2021I Like to Watch UKGuestProduced by Netflix [40]
2022Eating with My ExProduced by BBC Three [41]
Little RantsProduced by Funny Parts [42]
Tea TimeHostProduced by Attitude Magazine [43]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetails
Read My Lips

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Part 1: The Damage
Part 2: The Antidote [44]
Pride. Power. Pop.

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Outside In" [45] 2021Part 1: The Damage
"Look What You've Done" [46]

(with Cahill)

"Loving Me Like That" [47]
"I Want It All"
"Jingle Bell Rock"

(with The Vivienne)

Non-album single
"Get Better"2022Part 2: The Antidote
"Heart Beating" [48]

with MRSHLL

"I Specialise in Love"Non-album single
"So Good"Pride. Power. Pop.
"Standing Up for the Lonely" [16] 2023
"Maybe It's You"Non-album single
"Guest List" [49] Non-album single
"Lonely This Christmas"Non-album single
"Read My Lips"2024Read My Lips
TitleYearAlbum
"UK Hun?" [50]

The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Bananadrama Version)

2021Non-album single
"Heart Beating" [48]

(with MRSHLL)

2022
"Your Light Will Shine" [51]
(with Bimini, Ellis Miah, Bentley Robles, Eden Hunter & Janethan)		2025

Stage

YearTitlePromoterLocationsRef
2021Drag Queens of PopNimax Theatres Vaudeville Theatre [52]
2022RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official TourVoss Events / World of Wonder Ipswich, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Southend, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool, Llandudno, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Plymouth, London, Derby, Bristol, Bradford, Aberdeen, Southampton, Stockton, Brighton and Newport [53]
2024RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World: The Official TourVoss Events / World of Wonder Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, London and Bournemouth [54]

References

  1. ↑ "ANTIDOTE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Who is Tia Kofi? Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK "queen of Clapham"". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two | Meet The Queens". BBC . Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Nolfi, Joey. "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World season 2 reveals cast competing for first UK cash prize". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Gage, Simon (23 June 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi insists 'progress still needs to be made' for LGBT community's rights". Metro. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  6. ↑ Tia Kofi (14 July 2022). "Today is my mother's funeral..." Retrieved 9 February 2024– via Instagram.
  7. ↑ Fletcher, Olivia (20 January 2021). "We spoke to Tia Kofi about Notts Uni life and all things Drag Race UK season two". The Tab. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Drag Race UK's The Vivienne, Tia Kofi and more discuss drag in the UK in new Netflix film". Attitude . 30 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK (S2 E1)". BBC iPlayer . Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Damshenas, Sam (19 February 2021). "Exclusive: Drag Race UK star spills the Tia (Kofi) on the "twists and turns" of season 2". Gay Times . Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi tears up following elimination as she recalls lockdown struggle". Attitude . 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  12. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Tia Mowry Reaches Out To Tia Kofi After Elimination". ScreenRant. 21 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi stuns in video for debut single 'Outside In'". Attitude . 24 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Drag Queens of Pop". Nimax Theatres. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 "Tia Kofi releases new EP Pride. Power. Pop. featuring new single Standing Up For The Lonely". Retropop. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Olga Koch: OK Computer - Series 2 - 1. Fun - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  18. ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World' season 2 cast announced". EW.com. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  19. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World series 2 winner crowned". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  20. ↑ "Drag superstars Elecktra and Tia Kofi to host Eurovision Turquoise Carpet". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  21. ↑ https://x.com/tiakofi/status/1966248745882026275?s=46
  22. ↑ https://x.com/tiakofi/status/1976383920372605034?s=46
  23. ↑ "Pixie Polite Reveals She Dated This Drag Race Queen For 5 Years". Out . Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  24. ↑ Sam Damshenas (2 September 2021). "Tia Kofi on her 80s inspired EP and Drag Race UK season 3 making herstory". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  25. ↑ "Meet Tia Kofi and Tayce from Celebrity Gogglebox Black to Front". Reality Titbit. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  26. ↑ Justin Harp (19 November 2021). "BBC Children in Need telethon's 2021 grand total revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  27. ↑ Darvill, Josh (19 January 2022). "Eating With My Ex start date and celebrity line up revealed for new specials". Telly Mix. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  28. ↑ Darling, Michael (21 April 2022). "Celebrity Catchpoint host Paddy McGuinness: 'It can get quite treacherous!'". What To Watch. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Celebrity Lingo Episode 7". itv.com. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "Drag Race Reunion Show Bring Back My Girls Promises to Spill the Tea". www.pride.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World' season 2 cast announced". EW.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  32. ↑ "BBC Three - Dear Viv". BBC. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  33. ↑ Jodie Harsh (5 March 2021), Jodie Harsh - My House (Official Video), archived from the original on 12 March 2021, retrieved 21 March 2021
  34. ↑ "Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi stuns in video for debut single 'Outside In'". Attitude . 24 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  35. ↑ Tia Kofi (7 May 2021), Tia Kofi x Cahill - Look What You've Done (Official Video), archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 2 June 2021
  36. ↑ Tia Kofi - Loving Me Like That (Official Music Video), 6 August 2021, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 19 August 2021
  37. ↑ Jingle Bell Rock (Official Music Video), 6 December 2021, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  38. ↑ Tia Kofi - Get Better (Official Video), 25 March 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  39. ↑ Tia Kofi - So Good (Official Video), 26 September 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  40. ↑ Drag Queens The Vivienne & Tia Kofi in the Eurovision Special! | I Like to Watch UK Ep 12. Still Watching Netflix. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2024– via YouTube.
  41. ↑ DRUK S2 Star Tia Kofi and Ex Hugh | Eating With My Ex | BBC Three. BBC Three. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024– via YouTube.
  42. ↑ Tia Kofi Is 7 Foot Tall With A Wig On?! | Little Rants | Funny Parts. Funny Parts. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024– via YouTube.
  43. ↑ Drag Race UK's Starlet reveals why sheleft without an exit line. Funny Parts. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024– via YouTube.
  44. ↑ Logan, Phillip (3 July 2022). "Tia Kofi Drops Brand New EP, 'Part 2: The Antidote'". CelebMix. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  45. ↑ Outside In - Single by Tia Kofi, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 29 March 2021
  46. ↑ Look What You've Done - Single by Tia Kofi & Cahill, archived from the original on 19 August 2021, retrieved 19 August 2021
  47. ↑ Loving Me Like That - Single by Tia Kofi, archived from the original on 20 August 2021, retrieved 19 August 2021
  48. 1 2 Tia Kofi X MRSHLL - HEARTBEATING, 29 April 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 17 October 2022
  49. ↑ "Tia Kofi - Guest List". slinky.to. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  50. ↑ UK Hun? (Bananadrama Version) - Single by The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2, archived from the original on 11 February 2021, retrieved 15 February 2021
  51. ↑ "Your Light Will Shine". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  52. ↑ "Drag Queens of Pop". Nimax Theatres. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  53. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  54. ↑ Yates, Jonny (20 February 2024). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. The World queens announce tour dates". PinkNews. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
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