Lawrence John Bolton (born 27 September 1990), better known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen and singer from Clapham, South London. They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021), and winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024).
Early life Bolton was born in Essex to a Nigerian mother (d. 2022) and a British father who met at university. They attended the University of Nottingham, but did not graduate.
Career
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. 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. In December 2020, Tia Kofi was announced as one of twelve contestants competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. After lip synching three times, she ultimately placed seventh overall.
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. 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.
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. 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" She played the digital assistant ALGO in the second series of "Olga Koch: OK Computer" on BBC Radio 4 from May 2023.
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. 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.
On 5 May 2024, Tia Kofi co-hosted the opening "Turquoise Carpet" event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 alongside Swedish drag queen Elecktra. 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 In 2025, Bolton expressed support for the Green Party and praised London Assembly Member and Party Leader, Zack Polanski. In October 2025, they stated their intention to seek to stand for elected office for the Green Party.
Personal life Bolton dated fellow The Vixens member Pixie Polite for approximately five years.
Tia Kofi is the "drag mother" of Victoria Scone.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2004Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHufflepuff studentBackground actor Television YearTitleRoleNotes2021RuPaul's Drag Race UKContestantSeries 22021Celebrity GoggleboxThemself Black to Front Special (alongside Tayce)2021Children in Need 2021ThemselfGuest appearance2021Be Here, Be Queer Themself Netflix special 2022Eating with My Ex Themself Celebrity special 2022Celebrity CatchpointThemselfSpecial guest 2022Celebrity LingoThemselfGuest 2022Bring Back My GirlsThemselfGuest 2024RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the WorldContestant/WinnerSeries 2 2025Dear VivThemselfInterviewee2026Heartstopper Forever: The Official PodcastThemselfHost
Music videos YearTitleArtistRef2017"Gotta Get a Grip"Mick Jagger2021"My House"Jodie Harsh"Outside In"Tia Kofi"Look What You've Done"Tia Kofi & Cahill"Loving Me Like That"Tia Kofi"Jingle Bell Rock"The Vivienne & Tia Kofi2022"Get Better"Tia Kofi"So Good"
Internet series +YearTitle Role Notes 2021 I Like to Watch UK Guest Produced by Netflix2022 Eating with My Ex Produced by BBC ThreeLittle RantsProduced by Funny PartsTea TimeHostProduced by Attitude Magazine
Discography
Albums TitleDetailsRead My Lips Release: March 2024 Label: Intention Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl
Extended plays TitleDetailsPart 1: The Damage Released: September 2, 2021 Label: Intention Format: Digital download, streamingPart 2: The Antidote Released: July 1, 2022 Label: Intention Format: Digital download, streamingPride. Power. Pop. Released: May 26, 2023 Label: Intention Format: Digital download, streaming
Singles TitleYearAlbum"Outside In"2021Part 1: The Damage"Look What You've Done""Loving Me Like That""I Want It All""Jingle Bell Rock""Get Better"2022Part 2: The Antidote"Heart Beating" with MRSHLL"I Specialise in Love""So Good"Pride. Power. Pop."Standing Up for the Lonely" 2023"Maybe It's You""Guest List""Lonely This Christmas""Read My Lips"2024Read My Lips
As featured artist TitleYearAlbum"UK Hun?" The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Bananadrama Version)2021 rowspan="3" "Heart Beating"2022 "Your Light Will Shine" 2025
Stage YearTitlePromoterLocations2021Drag Queens of PopNimax TheatresVaudeville Theatre2022RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official TourVoss Events / World of WonderIpswich, 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 Newport2024RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World: The Official TourVoss Events / World of WonderGlasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, London and Bournemouth
References
External links