Kat Harlton
Founder & Editor
Kat began her journey in the entertainment industry at an early age, initially pursuing acting through high school productions and community theatre. She went on to earn a Theatre Arts Diploma from London’s Fanshawe College in 2005. Following graduation, she relocated to Toronto, where she gained on-set experience through background work before securing minor roles in independent films and commercials. She also co-produced one of, if not the, first web series in Canada.
In late 2009, Kat founded The Harlton Empire, marking her transition into the music industry. She took on roles in artist management and promotion, as well as event coordination, booking performances at some of Toronto’s top music venues. Her passion for community involvement led her to organize an annual fundraising concert benefiting the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank and to volunteer with Wavelength Music, a non-profit arts organization.
Kat’s work in music eventually evolved into a successful career in freelance entertainment journalism. She contributed to several online publications, providing album reviews, artist interviews, and event coverage for major festivals including North by Northeast (NXNE) and Canadian Music Week (CMW) / Departure Festival.
Throughout her career, she has interviewed a wide range of notable figures, including Grammy, Juno, and CMA Award winners, best-selling authors, and prominent personalities such as the family of Canadian hero Terry Fox, actor Ryan Reynolds, and Nirvana’s former manager Danny Goldberg. Her red carpet coverage includes prestigious events like Canada’s Walk of Fame, The David Foster Foundation Gala, The JUNO Awards, and the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards.
Today, Kat dedicates her efforts to harltonempire.com, continuing to spotlight top-tier talent across music, film, and digital media. Her platform also features influencers, content creators, and collaborations with major brands. Kat is frequently invited to speak at industry events and maintains strong partnerships with leading PR firms, entertainment networks, agencies, and festivals.
harltonempire.com was nominated for ‘Best Blogger’ in NOW Magazine’s 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards, and in 2023, Kat was recognized with a nomination for ‘Notable Content Creator’ by Notable Magazine.
Now recognized as a trusted voice on Toronto’s cultural scene, harltonempire.com has expanded its editorial scope to include lifestyle, travel, romance, and luxury content.
Connect with Kat on LinkedIn or follow Harlton Empire across social media platforms.