Why do we love Ramsay Street’s newest resident? For starters he loves Madonna, Mardi Gras and dances topless at gay bars! Meet Benny Turland!
Well done on your Neighbours role. How does it feel being on such an iconic show?
Benny Turland: It’s surreal! I used to watch Neighbours growing up when I’d get home from school, and now I’m in scenes with Karl and Susan! I never even thought I’d be an actor and now I’m working on this show. I get messages from my friends telling me they’re watching me on TV, and how weird it is!
And you play Hendrix Greyson – a rich spoiled brat!
(Laughing) I mean, who doesn’t love playing a brat and getting away with it? I have so much fun with the role because when you’re a kid you want to play up, but you’ll always get punished, and now I can do whatever I want!
What’s in store for Hendrix?
He actually does a complete one eighty and goes from being a seventeen year old brat to almost growing up. He begins to come across, not so much as a spoiled rich kid anymore, but a kind hearted and vulnerable little boy. My mother also comes into the show (Jane Allsop) and down the track a sister. I discover the whole story about my upbringing and how I was born and how my mum and dad had a kind of business deal. It really makes an impact on Hendrix and is a switching point where he goes from brat to adult. It’s been my favourite part of the storyline so far.
“We shared the first transgender kiss!”
The spin off show Erinsborough High was quite full on, with many controversial issues. How did it feel working on that?
I can’t believe I was attached to the first spin off series from Neighbours! A spin off is an achievement in itself, and I was one of the main characters. I can relate to the topics and problems they covered because I’ve seen a lot of my friends go though similar situations. It made it real, and it’s nice to see Australian television talking about such topics. Georgie Stone is the first transgender to be on Australian TV and we shared the first transgender kiss! I was asked if I’d be okay with it and I was like, “Are you kidding? It’s a privilege and an honour!”
Benny Turland as Hendrix Greyson, in a scene from Neighbours
Erinsborough High also seemed a turning point for Hendrix
Yes, he went from top dog of the school to becoming quite vulnerable. He realizes that Jeremiah ‘the Ghost’ (Darius Amarfio Jefferson) has no friends and feels he has to be there for him. Hendrix also has no friends and is scared and lost. It was a really beautiful story. I’m hoping that Jeremiah will come back into Neighbours because at the end there was such a good foundation between him and Hendrix. I’d like to see their friendship continue.
Tim Robards, who plays your onscreen dad Pierce Greyson, also did this interview. How do you find working with him? Is he like a real dad?
He is! Well, probably more like an older brother. In real life Tim and I are really close mates and train together at the gym everyday. He pushes me hard and he’s so fit. He kicks my arse! We’ll also go to dinner at least once a week, have a laugh and a drink. He’s so much like a big brother.
Benny Turland (Hendrix Greyson) and April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan) in a scene from Neighbours
And you also have a background in dancing?
I started dancing when I was three, and grew up in a small country town called Bowral. I was the only male dancer in the town and that in itself was quite a lot, with a backlash from people saying that dancing was for girls.
Were you labeled as gay?
Yeah, but I knew I wasn’t gay and I had a lot of gay friends. I thought that both boys and girls could dance…that anyone could. I would say to them, “How can I be gay, when you’re going into a football locker room and getting changed with all the guys? I’m getting changed with all the girls!” I’ve also had mates from school that played football who have come out, and even apologised for calling me gay. I’m just glad they found their path. But the bullying wasn’t too bad, mainly because I had an older brother and sister who were quite popular. It also made a difference when I did the television show Young Talent Time with Rob Mills, and toured Australia. Back home they all saw me on TV. I then went on to do X Factor and The Voice, made really good friends and started choreographing for some of the artists.
Benny Turland (Hendrix Greyson) and Tim Robards (Pierce Greyson) are best mates in real life. Photo courtesy of Tim Robards.
And you’ve also had roles in theatre?
I just finished Saturday Night Fever where I played Joey. We had the French production, which was completely remade with new choreography, which won awards. I really want to do another musical. I love everything about it from the audience reactions to warming up beforehand.
“I went to Stonewall with a group of straight footy mates. After a few drinks I had my shirt off.”
In a way you ARE Billy Elliot!
Exactly! The story of Billy Elliot is very similar to mine. I’ve done ballet training my whole life too! I never got the opportunity to audition for Billy Elliot because I was too young at the time. But two of my friends played Billy, with one going on to Broadway and performing for the Obamas at the White House.
Do you ever go to gay bars?
I go to gay bars all the time, especially when I’m doing a musical. We have Mondays and Tuesdays off, so Sunday nights we’d go out, and the only places open are gay bars. The whole cast would go, and I’d invite my friends as well. Sometimes I prefer going to gay bars because there’s no big shot guys or people starting fights. It’s just love and good energy. And everyone knows how to party! When I was eighteen I went to Stonewall with a group of my straight footy mates. After a few drinks I had my shirt off, swinging it around and going crazy. Being a dancer, I got inside the cage and just went for it. The place had great vibes!
Benny Turland in a candid moment
You must have been hit on too?
Oh, one hundred percent! I’d just tell them I’m straight and then become friends with them!
So if you were gay, who would be your man crush?
I have a massive crush on Ryan Gosling! He’s such an unreal looking dude. He’s charismatic and was so ripped in Crazy, Stupid, Love. He’s one hot guy and he’s in La La Land, which is one of my favourites.
Who’s your music diva?
I love Whitney and Janet Jackson, but I guess it would have to be Madonna. I love Vogue. Sometimes when I’m home alone, I’ll chuck it on and start vogue-ing! I’m trained in Vogue dancing as well. I did an intensive with a vogue queen from New York who taught us how to whip our hair and everything.
Benny looking at DNA Magazine
Do you have a grooming tip?
Every morning I have a cold shower, as cold as I can go. I also do breathing techniques to wake me up. It’s mind over matter and puts me in a good mood. The shower gets the blood pumping and the breathing helps the diaphragm, especially if I have to start work at six thirty with ten scenes ahead of me. But I’m very particular. I even pluck my eyebrows!
“Sometimes I prefer going to gay bars because there’s no big shot guys or people starting fights.”
Have you ever had an onset wardrobe malfunction?
I’ve actually done a few dancing gigs at Mardi Gras and once I wore a white button up with no back. I also had short shorts and high heels. But suddenly a few of my buttons ripped, so I just took it off. I thought no one would care. In fact they’d probably like it even more. But I’d say the worst was when I was doing Saturday Night Fever and I had to do a round off back flip with a slide. Just as I was sliding my pants split in the middle. Luckily I was wearing a support, but my whole arse was on show to the audience. I got great reviews that night! (Laughing).
During summer are you a boardies or Speedos guy?
If I want a tan I’ll go Speedos. When I go to the beach with Tim Robards he always wears Speedos, and I think how does someone look that good in Speedos? But I’d say I’m more a boardies person. I lived in Cronulla for three years and all my mates were chilled out surfers with the baggy boardies.
Jocks, fitted boxers or freeballs?
Freeballs is awesome, but I’d have to say fitted boxers. However, whenever I’m in boardies I don’t wear anything underneath.
Neighbours screens 6.30pm weeknights on 10 Peach
Erinsborough High is available on 10 Play
Matt Myers and Benny Turland
