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

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

Kofi was born in Essex to a Nigerian mother (d. 2022) and a British father who met at university. [5] [6] Kofi 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

Kofi began their career as a drag queen in 2014, when they started drag on the same day and at the same venue as series 1 contestant Sum Ting Wong. Their name is a play on the phrase "tea or coffee?", and as part of their initial entrance confessional, 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 , Kofi frequently performed in venues across South London, predominantly in Clapham.

Kofi is a part of a drag girl-group called The Vixens consisting of Kofi, Pixie Polite and Woe Addams. [10]

In December 2020, 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, Kofi 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, 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] Their set consisted of "Outside In" followed by "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa and "No Way" from the musical Six . In May 2023, Kofi released their third EP, Pride. Power. Pop. and single "Standing Up for the Lonely" [16] They 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, Kofi was announced as one of the contestants competing on series 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World. [18] They later went on to win the series and be crowned "Queen of the Mothertucking World". Subsequently, they took home the first-ever cash prize in the shows history: £50,000. [19]

On 5 May 2024, Kofi co-hosted the opening "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 alongside Swedish drag queen Elecktra. [20]

On 12 Dec 2024, Kofi was a co-presenter and backstage interviewer of acts at the 2024 Het Grote Songfestivalfeest concert in Amsterdam.

Personal life

Kofi identifies as queer. They dated their fellow The Vixens member Pixie Polite for approximately five years. [21] Kofi is the "drag mother" of Victoria Scone [22] and uses they/she pronouns. [23]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Hufflepuff studentBackground actor [24]

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]

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRef
2017"Gotta Get a Grip" Mick Jagger
2021"My House" Jodie Harsh [32]
"Outside In"Tia Kofi [33]
"Look What You've Done"Tia Kofi & Cahill [34]
"Loving Me Like That"Tia Kofi [35]
"Jingle Bell Rock" The Vivienne & Tia Kofi [36]
2022"Get Better"Tia Kofi [37]
"So Good" [38]

Internet series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2021I Like to Watch UKGuestProduced by Netflix [39]
2022Eating with My ExProduced by BBC Three [40]
Little RantsProduced by Funny Parts [41]
Tea TimeHostProduced by Attitude Magazine [42]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetails
Read My Lips

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Part 1: The Damage
Part 2: The Antidote [43]
Pride. Power. Pop.

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Outside In" [44] 2021Part 1: The Damage
"Look What You've Done" [45]

(with Cahill)

"Loving Me Like That" [46]
"I Want It All"
"Jingle Bell Rock"

(with The Vivienne)

Non-album single
"Get Better"2022Part 2: The Antidote
"Heart Beating" [47]

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" [48] Non-album single
"Lonely This Christmas"Non-album single
"Read My Lips"2024Read My Lips
TitleYearAlbum
"UK Hun?" [49]

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

2021Non-album single
"Heart Beating" [47]

with MRSHLL

2022Non-album single

Stage

YearTitlePromoterLocationsRef
2021Drag Queens of PopNimax Theatres Vaudeville Theatre [50]
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 [51]
2024RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World: The Official TourVoss Events / World of Wonder Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, London and Bournemouth [52]

Related Research Articles

<i>I Like to Watch</i> 2019 American web series

I Like to Watch is a 2019 American web series hosted by drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. The series was created by Netflix, and streams on the company's YouTube channel. I Like to Watch films its hosts as they view and react to various Netflix Original Programming and licensed films streaming on Netflix. The first season aired from November 21, 2019, to March 21, 2020. A second season, recorded in the duo's homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, premiered on May 23, 2020. The third season, still recorded from home but with the hosts together in person before moving to a new set, premiered on February 20, 2021. The series won a People's Voice Webby Award in 2022. In 2023 the series won a Bronze Anthem Award in the Awareness & Media categories for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayhem Miller (drag queen)</span> American drag queen and performer

Mayhem Miller is the stage name of Dequan Armand Johnson, an American drag performer and actor, best known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2020), and the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mo Heart</span> American drag performer and singer

Mo Heart, formerly Monique Heart, is the stage name of Kevin Leandrew Richardson, an American drag queen, reality television personality, and recording artist best known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (2018–2019), and the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2022). Since first appearing on Drag Race in 2018, Mo Heart has appeared in a number of web series produced by World of Wonder, including a starring role in Manic Moments With Monique Heart, and hosted her own podcast, Ace of Hearts with Monique Heart. In January 2019, she released her debut single "Brown Cow Stunning", and later released her debut extended play Beloved SoS 6.3 in 2020.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race UK</i> British reality competition television series

RuPaul's Drag Race UK is a British reality competition television series based on the American television series of the same name. The television series, a collaboration between the BBC and World of Wonder, premiered on 3 October 2019. The show is the fourth installment of the Drag Race franchise, and the second fronted by RuPaul. The show documents RuPaul and a panel of judges' search for "the United Kingdom's next drag superstar", the first series title dubbed "UK's First Drag Superstar". RuPaul plays several roles on the show including host, mentor and head judge for the series, as the contestants are given different challenges to participate in each week. The show also employs a panel of judges: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, and Graham Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blu Hydrangea</span> Northern Irish drag queen

Blu Hydrangea is the stage name of Joshua Cargill, a Northern Irish drag queen from Belfast who is known for competing on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019 and later winning the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheryl Hole</span> English drag queen

Cheryl, formerly known as Cheryl Hole, is the stage name of Luke Underwood-Bleach, an English drag queen from Chelmsford in Essex who is known for being one of the first contestants on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019), as well as the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2022), and the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (2024).

<i>Drag Race</i> (franchise) International reality television drag competition format

Drag Race is a drag queen reality competition television franchise, created by American drag entertainer RuPaul with production company World of Wonder. The franchise originated with RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered in the United States in 2009. The objective of that series is to crown "America's Next Drag Superstar" who possesses the traits of "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent". The original series is often credited for bringing drag into the "mainstream". The popularity of the original series led to the creation of a media franchise including spin-offs and international adaptations.

<i>God Shave the Queens</i> British documentary series

God Shave the Queens is a documentary television series about the tours following the first two series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. The show originally premiered internationally on 10 September 2020 on WOW Presents Plus internationally, and BBC iPlayer on 15 November 2020 in the United Kingdom.

Aston Joshua, better known by the stage name Asttina Mandella, is a British drag queen and dancer from East London. She is best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, where she came eleventh on the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Valentine</span> British drag performer (1993–2022)

George Ward, better known by the stage name Cherry Valentine, was an English drag queen and mental health nurse who competed in the second series of the television show RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Raised in a Romanichal community, Ward has been credited as the first contestant on the Drag Race franchise to acknowledge his Romani heritage. In 2022, he addressed his background in the BBC documentary film Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, and in an episode of the documentary series God Shave the Queens. Following Ward's suicide in 2022, a memorial concert and fundraiser was held at London's Clapham Grand.

Joseph Lewis Black is a British musician and drag queen from Brighton, England. He is best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and getting eliminated first and fifth, after being voted back on to the show in episode five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Chaney</span> Scottish drag performer (born 1996)

Lawrence Chaney is a Scottish Glasgow-based drag queen. They are best known for winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, becoming the first Scottish drag queen and the second Plus Size contestant to win across the franchise. Their role on the series later earned them the 2021 BAFTA Scotland Audience Award. As part of their Drag Race victory, Chaney was awarded their own online television series, later titled Tartan Around, which premiered in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tayce</span> Welsh drag performer (born 1994)

Tayce Szura-Radix is a Welsh drag queen, rapper and model from Newport, Wales. She is best known for competing in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, in which she placed joint runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veronica Green</span> British drag performer

Kevin Max Grogan, better known by the stage name Veronica Green, is a British drag performer most known for competing on the second and third series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

"The RuRuvision Song Contest" is the fifth episode of the second series of the UK version of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired on BBC Three, on 11 February 2021. This is the first episode filmed after the production of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seven months after the previous episode. Veronica Green was forced to withdraw from the competition due to testing positive for COVID-19. As a result, the first three contestants eliminated, Joe Black, Cherry Valentine and Asttina Mandella, were brought back and the remaining contestants voted on whom they wanted to return to the competition. Joe Black was voted to return to the competition. Ginny Lemon was not included due to having eliminated themself from the competition.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race: UK vs. the World</i> British spin-off series of RuPauls Drag Race: UK

RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World is an international all-stars series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and its franchise. The all-stars series premiered on 1 February 2022, through BBC Three and WOW Presents Plus. RuPaul acts as the host, head judge, and executive producer of the series.

Pixie Polite is the stage name of Mark James Dudley Wickens, a British drag performer most known for competing on series 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race: UK vs. the World</i> series 2 Season of television series

The second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World began airing on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on 9 February 2024. RuPaul returned to his role of main host and head judge, and again was joined on the judging panel by Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton, all of whom are judges on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Marmalade is the stage name of Jack Bourton, a Welsh drag performer competing on the sixth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

References

  1. ↑ "ANTIDOTE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  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. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ "Tia Kofi". Instagram . Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  24. ↑ "Lawrence Bolton, Actor, London". Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 30 March 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. ↑ Jodie Harsh (5 March 2021), Jodie Harsh - My House (Official Video), archived from the original on 12 March 2021, retrieved 21 March 2021
  33. ↑ "Drag Race UK's Tia Kofi stuns in video for debut single 'Outside In'". Attitude . 24 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  34. ↑ 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
  35. ↑ Tia Kofi - Loving Me Like That (Official Music Video), 6 August 2021, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 19 August 2021
  36. ↑ Jingle Bell Rock (Official Music Video), 6 December 2021, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  37. ↑ Tia Kofi - Get Better (Official Video), 25 March 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  38. ↑ Tia Kofi - So Good (Official Video), 26 September 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 16 October 2022
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ 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.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ Drag Race UK's Starlet reveals why sheleft without an exit line. Funny Parts. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024– via YouTube.
  43. ↑ 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.
  44. ↑ Outside In - Single by Tia Kofi, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 29 March 2021
  45. ↑ Look What You've Done - Single by Tia Kofi & Cahill, archived from the original on 19 August 2021, retrieved 19 August 2021
  46. ↑ Loving Me Like That - Single by Tia Kofi, archived from the original on 20 August 2021, retrieved 19 August 2021
  47. 1 2 Tia Kofi X MRSHLL - HEARTBEATING, 29 April 2022, archived from the original on 17 October 2022, retrieved 17 October 2022
  48. ↑ "Tia Kofi - Guest List". slinky.to. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  49. ↑ 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
  50. ↑ "Drag Queens of Pop". Nimax Theatres. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  51. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  52. ↑ Yates, Jonny (20 February 2024). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. The World queens announce tour dates". PinkNews. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.