Michala Elizabeth Laurinda Banas (born 14 November 1978) is a New Zealand television actress and singer.

Life and career

Born in

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by metr ...

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

into a family of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

descent, she starred in her first advert at only 18 months of age. Her debut film performance was when she was five years old, in the New Zealand film ''

Dangerous Orphans ''Dangerous Orphans'' is a 1986 New Zealand action film directed by John Laing. Synopsis Harry, Moir and Rossi after growing up together orphanage, as adults they pull off the occasional heist together. They plan an international heist to aven ...

''. Her Australian debut television performance was as Louisa in the miniseries '' Mirror, Mirror'' in 1995. From 2001-03, Banas played main character Marissa Taylor in the

Seven Network The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air television network. It is owned by Seven West Media Limited, and is one of five main free-to-air television networks in Australia ...

drama ''

Always Greener ''Always Greener'' was an Australian television drama/ comedy series that aired on the Seven Network which followed the fortunes of two families, one from the city and the other from the country, when they decide to switch homes and start a new ...

''. In 2002, she had a small role in the film adaptation ''

Scooby-Doo ''Scooby-Doo'' is an American animated media franchise based on an animated television series launched in 1969 and continued through several derivative media. Writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears created the original series, ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are ...

''. Banas is an accomplished singer, and in 2003 released a single, " Kissin' The Wind", which made the top 30 on the

Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade association representing the Australian recording industry which was established in the 1970s by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing ...

singles chart. In 2004, Banas joined the cast of ''

McLeod's Daughters ''McLeod's Daughters'' is an Australian drama television series created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton for the Nine Network, which aired from 8 August 2001, to 31 January 2009, lasting eight seasons. It stars Lisa Chappell and Bri ...

'' as the character

Kate Manfredi This is a list of characters from the Australian drama series ''McLeod's Daughters''. Main characters Recurring cast Engagements and marriages * Claire McLeod and Peter Johnson were engaged, but Claire ended the relationship when she fou ...

, the best friend of Jodi Fountain McLeod. She played Kate from episodes 88 to 170, when she took a short break to later return in episode 177. It was announced in 2007 that she would leave ''McLeod's Daughters'' in its final season. Banas' last episode was aired in early December 2008. From 11 November 2008, Banas appeared in the role of

Libby Kennedy Libby Kennedy (also Kennedy-Fitzgerald) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Kym Valentine. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994. Valentine auditioned for the r ...

on the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'' for a five-week period after

Kym Valentine Kym Valentine (born 24 May 1977) is an Australian actress best known for her long running intermittent portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera ''Neighbours.'' Early life Valentine was born in Blacktown, Sydney, and grew up in Granville. ...

was forced to take a temporary break due to illness. In 2009, Banas filled in for Fox FM's

Jo Stanley Joanne McFarlane (''née'' Bailey), commonly known as Jo Stanley, is an Australian television and radio presenter and comedian. Stanley was a host of ''Jo & Lehmo'' on Gold 104.3 from 2016 to 2017. She previously hosted ''Weekend Breakfast'' ...

on '' The Matt and Jo Show'' while Stanley was on maternity leave. That same year saw her star in the Australian national tour of the Broadway musical, '' Avenue Q'', playing the roles of "Kate Monster" and "Lucy the Slut". Banas was one of three celebrity faces for

Proactiv Solution Proactiv is an American brand of skin-care products developed by two American dermatologists, Katie Rodan and Kathy A. Fields, and launched in 1995 by Guthy-Renker, a California-based direct marketing company, that is endorsed by famous celebr ...

in Australia and New Zealand. Banas had a guest role as Tiffany Turner on the drama series ''

Winners & Losers ''Winners & Losers'' is an Australian television drama series first broadcast on the Seven Network on 22 March 2011. It was created by the producers of '' Packed to the Rafters'' and is aired in the show's former time slot. ''Winners & Losers' ...

'', and a supporting role on

ABC3 ABC Me (stylised as ABC ME) is an Australian English language children's free-to-air television channel owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was officially launched by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 4 December 2009 as ABC3. Hist ...

teen drama ''

Nowhere Boys ''Nowhere Boys'' is an Australian teen drama television series created by Tony Ayres. It was first broadcast on ABC3 (which is now officially named ABCME) on 7 November 2013. The first two series follow the adventures of four mismatched teenag ...

'' as Phoebe. In 2013, Banas starred in the ABC comedy series '' Upper Middle Bogan'' as Amber Wheeler. The series has run for three seasons.

Filmography

Discography

Singles

References

External links

*
Michala Banas management
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banas, Michala 1978 births Living people Helpmann Award winners Actresses from Wellington City New Zealand television actresses New Zealand people of German descent 21st-century New Zealand women singers