Christian Wilkins returns as 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador, reveals LA move

Socialite Christian Wilkins tells how he plans to start over in LA without the baggage of his famous family name as he shows off an incredible new look.

Christian Wilkins says he has a new perspective on life. Picture: Simon Upton for Stellar

When Christian Wilkins first ventured into the world of entertainment, he did so loudly, proudly and with an outsized flamboyance. Part of that reflected who he really was, but part of that was a concerted effort to differentiate himself from his father, veteran TV entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins.

“I’m so close with my dad, but it’s also stepping out from his shadow,” Wilkins, 28, tells Stellar. “I think people look at me and are like, ‘Oh, there actually is a place for him as an individual.’ It’s not just being someone’s son. I have something to provide for myself and I think that is really exciting. I find that very rewarding.”

Christian Wilkins shows one of his incredible looks. Picture: Simon Upton for Stellar

In the early days of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Wilkins permeated the mainstream consciousness with his happy nature and sure-footed abilities as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars (he placed second as runner-up to winner Celia Pacquola).

Since then, the model has become a multi-hyphenate, branching out as a reality TV star, queer advocate, podcaster, fashionista, ambassador, influencer and socialite.

“It’s a hard industry to keep going on and I think you need to be passionate,” he says. “For me, visibility for my community is a really big motivator and if I can weave that into everything I’m doing, that gives me the fuel to continue.”

He admits that, in his younger days, he interpreted visibility as shock value, eschewing school-regulation looks for something wilder. “Subconsciously, it was my way of being: This is who I am, you can’t ignore me, I am queer, hear me roar,” he says. “So I dyed my hair pink, I [put] feathers in it. I’m very glad that phase of my life is over.”

With age, he adds, comes perspective. “I feel like I do stuff for me now,” he reflects. “It’s less about what other people think. If I find beauty in a garment, regardless of if it’s a dress or pants or a blouse, I want to wear it because I love beautiful things, and I love the experience of putting on something and becoming a different side of myself.”

This ability to go with the flow (and look chic while doing so) makes Wilkins the ideal Victoria Racing Club (VRC) 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador.

Christian Wilkins has signed with a Hollywood talent agency. Picture: Simon Upton for Stellar

It’s his second official stint working with the carnival, although he has been a guest many times over the years. And this year, for Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on November 4, he will be judging the Fashions on the Field competition.

In 2022, the rules were changed to open the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories to all genders.

This year, the rules have been further amended so that entrants can wear tailored shorts touching the knee and, although no bellybuttons can be visible, midriffs can be exposed. “It’s great they are embracing genderless fashion,” Wilkins says. “That’s really reflective of what fashion is doing these days.”

The extra responsibilities at the carnival are just part of Wilkins’ busy year, which has included the release of his children’s book, Princess Mitchell.

He also moved to Los Angeles to try his luck in Hollywood as an actor following his debut role in 2021 as Leander in the Stan drama series Eden. Although his move occurred just as Hollywood writers and actors went on strike, he enthuses, “The dream has always been acting, ever since I was a little kid. I got there 10 days before the first strike happened and I shifted my goals to come back to Australia with an acting agent. I went to classes, took lots of meetings and sent out hundreds of emails.”

About a month before returning home, Wilkins signed with an LA talent agency. “It means that when I head back over [to the US] next year, I can hit the ground running,” he says. “Also, I don’t think we need validation, but it’s nice to have someone there see something outside of the parameters of who I am here. They don’t have a concept of me – it’s purely based off my work, and that feels very good.”

Photography Simon Upton

Styling IRENE TSOLAKAS

Interview JONATHON MORAN

HAIR: Travis Balcke using R+Co BLEU.

Make-up: Kristyan Low using Sisley Paris

This shoot was produced in partnership with the Victoria Racing Club

For tickets and more information about the Melbourne Cup Carnival, visit vrc.com.au.

Originally published as Christian Wilkins returns as 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador, reveals LA move