Zandara Kennedy

Zandara Kennedy is a professional stuntwoman, stunt coordinator, precision driver, and one of the few women competing in professional drifting—and the first and only openly LGBTQ+ athlete in the sport.

EARLY YEARS

The specifics of Kennedy’s early life—where she grew up, who raised her, what sparked her obsession with going fast—remain largely unknown. What is clear is that somewhere along the way, she developed a skill set that reads like an action hero’s résumé: martial arts, scuba diving, motorcycle riding, and an ability to pilot just about anything with wheels, from scooters to tractor-trailers.[1] These weren’t casual weekend hobbies. They were the building blocks of a career that would eventually land her on film sets, racetracks, and center stage in one of motorsports’ most male-dominated arenas.

While the details of her childhood remain elusive, Kennedy’s path suggests someone who was drawn to adrenaline early and often. Whether it was a mentor, a movie, or sheer stubbornness that pushed her toward stunt work and racing, she clearly wasn’t interested in a desk job.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the racetrack and stunt sets, Kennedy’s interests align with her need for speed and precision. She’s trained in martial arts, a discipline that requires the same focus and body control that makes a great stunt driver. She’s a scuba diver, comfortable in environments where one wrong move has consequences. And she rides motorcycles, because apparently four wheels weren’t enough.[1]

These aren’t just hobbies—they’re extensions of who she is. Each skill requires calm under pressure, physical coordination, and a willingness to push limits. They also make her a more versatile performer and driver, able to adapt to whatever a director, stunt coordinator, or racetrack throws at her.

EARLY SUCCESS

Before Kennedy ever competed in drifting, she spent two decades building a reputation as a stuntwoman and precision driver in Hollywood. Her résumé includes major blockbusters like Deadpool, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Final Destination 5, Warm Bodies, and the Twilight franchise. She’s appeared in hit TV shows including The Flash, Fear the Walking Dead, and The Night Agent.[1] If a scene required a car flip, a high-speed chase, or a perfectly timed stunt, there’s a good chance Kennedy was behind the wheel or coordinating the chaos.

Her work wasn’t limited to narrative film and television. Kennedy also became a sought-after driver for luxury car commercials, collaborating with brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.[1] These gigs required not just speed but elegance—the ability to make a car look good while doing things most drivers would never attempt. It’s a different kind of performance, one that demands technical precision and an understanding of how to sell movement on camera.

In 2019, Kennedy made the leap from stunt driving to competitive drifting.[1] It was a natural evolution for someone who’d spent years pushing cars to their limits, but competition is a different beast. Drifting isn’t just about control—it’s about style, angle, speed, and the ability to link corners with smoke pouring off your tires while judges and competitors watch your every move. In 2021, she earned her Formula Drift PROSPEC license, a key milestone that allowed her to compete at a higher level.[1]

Then, in 2022, Kennedy did something audacious: she embarked on a 20,000-mile cross-country drift tour of the United States.[1] It was part road trip, part training montage, part statement. She wasn’t just preparing for competition—she was proving she belonged. A year later, in 2023, she officially began her Formula Drift ProSpec career.[1]

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Started drifting career after 20+ years as a professional stuntwoman and precision driver.[1]
• 2021: Earned Formula Drift PROSPEC license.[1]
• 2022: Completed 20,000-mile cross-country drift tour of the United States.[1]
• 2023: Began Formula Drift ProSpec career.[1]
• Became the first and only openly LGBTQ+ athlete competing in professional drifting.[3]
• Became the only Canadian athlete competing in professional drifting.[4]
• Featured as stunt driver in major films including Deadpool, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Final Destination 5, Warm Bodies, and Twilight franchise.[1]
• Appeared in TV shows including The Flash, Fear the Walking Dead, and The Night Agent.[1]
• Worked as precision driver for Audi, BMW, and Mercedes commercials.[1]

INSPIRATIONS

Kennedy hasn’t publicly shared who inspired her to pursue stunt work or racing, nor has she named specific drivers, mentors, or films that set her on this path. What’s clear is that she carved out her career largely on her own terms, often as the only woman—and the only openly queer person—in spaces that weren’t designed with her in mind.

REPUTATION

Kennedy is widely recognized as a pioneer in motorsports and a vocal advocate for women in the industry.[1] As a Los Angeles-based professional, she’s opened doors for marginalized people both in stunt work and competitive drifting.[5] Her presence in Formula Drift is significant not just because she’s skilled, but because she represents groups—women, LGBTQ+ athletes, Canadians—who have historically been underrepresented or entirely absent from the sport.[3][4]

She’s described as someone who mixes skill with style, inspiring millions along the way.[1] That’s not just PR speak. Kennedy has built a community around her identity and her work, using her platform to show that drifting—and motorsports in general—doesn’t have to be a boys’ club. She’s proof that you can be queer, female, and Canadian, and still hang with the best drivers in the world.

Through her company, ZeeDrives, Kennedy creates content that connects brands with adventure-seekers, blending racetrack performance with off-grid builds and storytelling.[1] It’s a smart business move that leverages her skills as both a driver and a performer, allowing her to control her narrative and build partnerships on her terms. Brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have already signed on, recognizing that Kennedy brings something different to the table—authenticity, diversity, and a fanbase that’s paying attention.[1]

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Kennedy’s immediate future remains focused on her Formula Drift ProSpec career and expanding ZeeDrives. While she hasn’t publicly outlined specific racing goals or a timeline for moving up to the Pro level, her trajectory suggests someone who’s in this for the long haul. She’s building her brand, refining her skills, and continuing to advocate for greater diversity in motorsports.

What comes next is anyone’s guess, but if history is any guide, Kennedy won’t be content to stay still. Whether that means more competitive success, larger brand partnerships, or a continued push to make racing more inclusive, she’s already proven she’s willing to do the work—and take the risks—to make it happen.

References:

ZeeDrives – About
Zandara Kennedy – About
PinkNews – March 12, 2023
Gears Magazine – February 2023
Advocate – March 27, 2023
Canvas Rebel Magazine