Harry Styles ‘tattoo girl’ Kelsy Karter a former Merrimac High student known for artistic talent

A woman who caused a storm by getting a tattoo of Harry Styles on her cheek has been revealed to be a former Gold Coast high school student with a long history in the entertainment business.

Kelsy Karter moved to Los Angeles to pursue her singing career. Supplied: Kelsy

THE woman who caused a storm on news sites across the world by having a tattoo painted on her cheek was a would-be hip-hop artist on the Gold Coast 12 years ago.

Former Merrimac State High School student Kelsy Karter got her 15 minutes of fame when she posted a photo on social media showing a tattoo on her face of former One Direction singer Harry Styles.

Kelsy Karter, then 18, pictured taking part in dance workshops as part of Queensland week in 2007 with Justin Rive and Bobby Rive. Picture: Kate Czerny

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Los Angeles-based Karter then released her latest single Harry, prompting doubts that the tattoo is genuine.

Kelsy’s mother, who works as a personal trainer in Southport, declined to comment on the new tattoo. However, after learning her daughter had tattooed her cheek, she was notably calm.

Born in Auckland, Karter began her artistic career on the Coast under the name Kelsey-Maree Eckstein.

Kelsy Karter displays the Harry Styles tattoo that has brought her to worldwide attention.

The youngest of three children has previously credited her love of music to her father who was also in the industry.

KeLs, as she was known before she left the Gold Coast, was known as a triple threat with the ability to act, dance and sing.

She studied drums, flute and piano and had reportedly appeared as a Vegemite kid as a child.

In 2010, she was signed by American songwriter Christina Milan alongside Sydney singer Kasey Osborne.

Kelsey Eckstein was in a pop duo with fellow singer Kasey Osbourne.

Karter also played a role in a 2011 rom-com He’s Mine Not Yours, recorded a song for the video game Audition, choreographed and danced for Christina Milian at LA Fashion Week, and was the model for Audrey Kitching’s clothing line TokyoLux.

The songstress who Triple J dubbed a love child of Angelina Jolie and Mick Jagger has released a number of singles in the last year under the name Kelsy Karter including ‘God Knows I’ve Tried’, ‘Catch me if You Can’ and ‘Harry’.

Gold Coast girl Kelsey-Maree Eckstein hangs out with Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford.

She had previously released a raft of singles under her earlier stage name Kelsey-Maree.

In an interview with Billboard this week, Karter said she was looking to release a seven-song set in March, called Songs for the Rocket Ship.

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