It all started in 2013 when the face behind ‘Carla from Bankstown’, Georges Hall resident Ben James, began dipping his toes in the drag world by developing the iconic drag style Carla is renowned for today.
In 2019, ‘Carla’ was approached by celebrity fans Kyle and Jackie O to be interviewed on KIIS FM’s National Breakfast program.
After this first big break, the straight-talking glamazon released her first single ‘That B*tch’ which reached #13 on iTunes and #7 on Australian Dance Charts.
Since then the self-appointed assistant to Gladys ‘Butterchicken’, who now ‘works’ for Dominic ‘Pairoftits’, has released ‘Real Housewives of Bankstown’ and through her SM channels, has taken on other careers including Shopping Channel host, Ghost Hunter and Exercise Coach.
“I always have Gladys’ back, though, because we need a strong, female leader,” she says.
In October, it was announced Carla’s star had shone so bright Channel 9 had invited the 29-year-old to join the next season of Celebrity Apprentice Australia which is currently filming.
“I’m in the next season of Celebrity Apprentice, I never thought I’d hear myself say those words and it’s been amazing,” she said.
“I just developed the character to give people a laugh in the lockdown; I didn’t realise ‘Carla’ would become so popular resulting in my following growing from 300 to over 30,000 in a short space of time.”
With Carla from Bankstown merchandise available such as t-shirts, hoodies, car air-freshener and coffee mugs now available, she hopes to create a makeup line next.
“I’m an advocate for mental health and the LGBTQI community and this has been such a great outlet for me to express myself,” she added.
“I want to show everyone that it’s okay to be who you want to be, have a laugh and not to worry about anything else.”
