Banksie is the stage name of Jonathan Banks, a British drag performer and a contestant on series 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Early life and education Banks was born in Wigan and studied at the Manchester School of Art (Manchester Metropolitan University). Banks began performing in drag after watching early seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Career Banks is a drag performer who began developing the persona Banksie at the age of fifteen. BBC has said, "This particular seven-foot supermodel is obsessed with all things burlesque, and loves to channel the 'dark, horrible women' of the 1930s and 1940s with a modern twist." Banksie has said, "My inspirations originate from fashion in the early 90s to the 2000s. I love Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paul Galliano. I love researching fashion and then finding a way to make it work on my body." She is artistic director for the venue Firehouse on Swan Street.
Banksie competed on series 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. She was eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two of the Rusical challenge and losing a lip sync against DeDeLicious to "I Dreamed a Dream" by Susan Boyle.
Personal life Banks lived in Manchester, before locating to Melbourne in 2026. Their surname inspired the name Banksie.
Banks is non-binary and 6'8", but approximately seven feet tall in heels, making them one of the tallest contestants on Drag Race.
Banksie is part of the "drag family" of Cheddar Gorgeous.
Discography As lead artist Title Year Album "Get Fruity!"(with Monopoly Phonic) 2024
Featured singles Title Year Album "Don't Ick My Yum (The M-52s Version)"(RuPaul featuring Kate Butch, Ginger Johnson, & Miss Naomi Carter) 2023 "Pant-Oh She Better Don't: The Rusical" 2023 Pant-Oh She Better Don't: The Rusical Album
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2023 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Herself Contestant 2023 The After Shave with Danny Beard Herself Guest Bring Back My Girls
See also
List of people from Manchester
References
External links Behind the Scenes with Manchester's 7ft Supermodel Drag Queen, Manchester's Finest