‘This was the end’: Tia Kofi recalls terrifying flight to Nigeria as she kicks off Attitude’s new travel Q&A ‘Unpacked’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Tia Kofi captured the nation’s hearts during Drag Race UK series two but went on to conquer the globe in UK vs the World. Since her crowning, she has won The Breakthrough Award at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, in 2024, and her sci-fi podcast, The Final FronTia, has just celebrated its 100th episode. Here, Tia takes us on a tour of her favourite travel experiences.

Attitude: Name a place that lived up to the hype

Tia Kofi: Sydney. Firstly, I had the most iconic tour guide of all time, Miss Hannah Conda from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World series two – she was robbed. It was really nice to be introduced to the nightlife and the queens of Sydney by Hannah and Ivory Glaze.

Where in the world have you felt the most queer joy? 

This might sound like a really ridiculous answer, but it genuinely is Gran Canaria. The Yumbo Centre is essentially a multi-storey car park with a Burger King. It’s dreadful, it’s awful, but it’s kind of the best time. You’ve got real, authentic and funny, but – no offence to the Gran Can divas – crunchy drag. And it just feels very queer. It is unfortunately an environment that is slightly built more for the Caucasian gay man, the Clapham dweller, the PureGym member. But it does feel freeing – the walk between the hotel and the Yumbo less so.

Tell us about a memorable journey, for better or worse. 

I’m terrified of flying, and the only time I’ve been to Nigeria, the internal flight when you get there, that plane can only be made of cardboard and a prayer. It was horrific. I was 10 years old and I spent the entire flight fully believing that this was the end. And then the driving afterwards. I remember we got stopped, and I think my dad or my mum said, “Oh, it’s just police checking that we’re all OK.” But when I grew up, I was told that actually my uncle got out of the car and had to pay these random men with AK-47s cash so that we could continue driving to the village. So yeah, upon reflection, that’s got to be the most memorable journey that I’ve taken. You said for better or worse, and I think maybe that was for worse. 

The area of the UK you think more people should see? 

I’m from Essex, so I’m obviously going to be biased. I think people underestimate the beauty of Essex. We’ve got Epping Forest, which is a massively historic area that deserves preservation. We’ve got these wonderful places in Hainault, which is forested – there are lakes and really lovely long walks. We’ve got the River Roding, which needs a lot more care and attention because these water companies are just pumping sewage directly into her, and she doesn’t want that, she doesn’t need that; she needs to become her gorgeous self again. Can you tell that I’ve been canvassing for the Greens today? 

What’s the most memorable restaurant you’ve dined in on holiday? 

I think the most excited I’ve ever been about food was when I was in Calgary to perform at the Stampede. I got taken out by Farrah Nuff, the drag mother of Nearah Nuff, and tried poutine for the first time. And then it turns out it’s literally chips with cheese and gravy, which, as someone who lived in Nottingham for a long time, I’ve experienced on multiple occasions. But I thought it’d be this magical, come to Jesus moment and it was just fine.

Is there a historic LGBTQ+ landmark that moved you unexpectedly? 

It’s got to be The Stonewall Inn, hasn’t it? It’s like a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community in the sense that we know the story of the riot and the rebellion against the police and people saying that they’re not standing for that kind of behaviour anymore. To be in the place where the Pride movement began is actually really moving and overwhelming. And when I went there, they started playing my music, and I was like, ‘This is the craziest thing in the world that I’m in The Stonewall Inn and they’ve just clocked me and popped on ‘Loving Me Like That’.’ You think about the people who have come before you, and I think it sort of grounds you in drag and in queerness to think of how many people have fought for you. 

Which album would be your ultimate travel soundtrack?

Read My Lips by Tia Kofi, final answer. But actually, [when I did a German exchange at school], what got me through that week of being in Germany was Melanie C’s Northern Star album. I will die on this hill saying that is one of the greatest albums of all time. 

What’s your perfect travel read? 

Just anything factual. There’s a book called Eats, Shoots & Leaves that I’ve reread on a bunch of flights, and it’s literally just about grammar. I feel a little bit like a 12-hour flight is a resourceful time to learn something. 

Beyond passport and phone, what is the one diva item you refuse to travel without? 

The honest answer is AirPods because they’re so necessary, especially with the noise-cancelling. Also, my ears on flights, especially on landing, get so painful. So, I just need a bag of Werther’s Original.

This is a feature appearing in the May/June 2026 issue of Attitude magazine. Subscribe below.