'Drag enabled me to carve out a career’

Australian entertainer Courtney Act on creating her own chances, writing her “cathartic” memoir and having frank discussions with CBB housemate Ann Widdecombe

- SAMUEL MCMANUS MAXWELL AND KIRSTEN MURRAY

Courtney Act is busy signing copies of her memoir, Caught In The Act, when she picks up the phone to new. She tells us she has just personalised one to send to former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who she famously clashed with on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

“I hope she’s wearing pearls so she can clutch them while reading about my sex stories,” she laughs, in her unmistakable Australian twang.

And while it does contain details of 40-year-old Courtney’s wild nights out on the Sydney gay scene, her memoir also offers fans an insight into the highs and lows of the making of the drag superstar – real name Shane Jenek – who finished as runner-up on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2014.

The star first found fame in 2003 when she auditioned for the first season of Australian Idol as Shane, being turned away and returning the next day as Courtney, then sailing through to the semi-finals.

She then signed a record deal and was branded “the third Hilton sister” after striking up friendships with Paris and Nicky Hilton.

But when her debut single crashed out of the Australian singles charts after peaking at number 29, plans for an album were shelved and she found herself thrust back into obscurity.