Kween Kong
Thomas Charles Fonua | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Charles Fonua August 9, 1992 New Zealand |
| Other names | Kween Kong |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer, drag performer |
| Known for | Runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 2), contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars |
Kween Kong is the performance alias of Pasifika New Zealander and former dancer Thomas Charles Fonua (born 9 August 1992). Kong rose to prominence as the runner-up on the second installment of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under and subsequently participated in RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars.
Early life and education
Thomas Charles Fonua, born in New Zealand, has Samoan and Tongan heritage. He is fluent in both languages, highlighting their role in maintaining his cultural identity. Growing up in South Auckland, he started dancing at age seven, inspired by his grandmother who was teaching his sister. During his childhood, he spent periods living with relatives in Samoa and Tonga, where he assisted with household duties. Raised within the Jehovah's Witness faith, Fonua regularly attended church until around age 16, a time marked by his parents' separation; his family was aware of his sexual orientation from an early age.
At sixteen, Fonua confronted a significant career decision: whether to pursue rugby with New Zealand’s men's under-19 squad, with a possible path to the All Blacks, or to commit to Black Grace, the country's premier contemporary dance company. Despite initial reservations from his father about dance as a profession, Fonua dedicated two years to training with Black Grace, which entailed relocating and engaging in international tours, including extensive performances in Germany—an experience he described as demanding.
Dance career
Following his training period with Black Grace, Fonua served as a principal dancer for five years, touring internationally. He held an Indigenous Dance Residency for three years at Canada’s Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and was an associate artist with Red Sky Performance, appearing at Toronto Dance Theatre. After moving to Australia, he joined Sydney Dance Company before becoming a principal dancer at Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) in Adelaide for approximately seven years. His creative collaborations include work alongside Neil Ieremia, Rafael Bonachela, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Jock Soto, Douglas Wright, Raewyn Hill, Sandra Laronde, and Ross McCormack.
Drag and performing artist
Residing in Adelaide, Fonua developed his drag persona Kween Kong—a moniker inspired by his rugby nickname that reflects power and presence. In 2019, he appeared with Maggie Beer at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s Liner Notes Live. Kween Kong was featured in the 2022 Adelaide Fringe cabaret production Black Puddin' and co-developed the children’s theatre show Rella with Windmill Theatre Co.
Competing as Kween Kong on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (2022), he finished as runner-up and made history as the show’s first Pasifika contestant. In September 2022, he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 27 Briefs Factory. In 2023, Fonua spent time in Los Angeles working on music for an upcoming release.
Other activities
Fonua established Haus of Kong, a collective dedicated to providing employment opportunities and mentorship for young individuals marginalized due to their sexuality. His drag outfits are designed by Sheri McCoy (CostumeCreater), based in Adelaide. Additionally, Kween Kong lends her voice to the character Blade in the 2024 Australian animated sci-fi comedy Lesbian Space Princess.
Awards and recognition
In 2014, Fonua was honored with New Zealand’s Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Award for Arts and Creativity. He was included in Coming Out Australia’s inaugural "30 Under 30" list supported by Boston Consulting Group in 2019. That same year, Kween Kong received the Miss Drag Nation Australia title. In Canada during 2022, Fonua earned a Dora Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. He also secured a nomination for the 2023 Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent for his participation on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Logie Awards | Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under | Nominated |
Media appearances
In January 2023, Fonua appeared as Kween Kong on Australian television program The Project alongside Hannah Conda. He was featured on ABC Radio’s Stories from the Pacific in May 2023 and took part in Fran Kelly’s podcast Yours Queerly with journalist Narelda Jacobs in February 2024.
Discography
Singles
As lead artist
| Song | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Global Savage" (with Jamaica Moana) | 2024 | Non-album single |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Bosom Buddies – BAB'Z Version" (The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under) | 2022 | Non-album single |
| "Who Is She? – Cast Version" (RuPaul featuring Kween Kong, Spankie Jackzon, Hannah Conda) | 2022 | Non-album single |
| "Everybody Say Love (D'Vybe Latinx Mix)" (The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars) | 2024 | Non-album single |
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under | Herself | Runner-up Season 2 |
| 2023 | The Project | Herself | Guest appearance with Hannah Conda |
| 2023 | Erotic Stories | Rachel Tension | Single episode role |
| 2024 | Bring Back My Girls | Herself | Guest appearance |
| 2024 | RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars | Herself | Contestant role |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "My First Time" | Herself | Produced by We Are Pride |
- Touch-Ups with Raven (2025)
References
External links
- Interview on Stories from the Pacific, May 31, 2023