Singer-songwriter and actress Kara Connolly dyed her hair bold, copper red to take back her power after years of entertainment industry mistreatment and feeling typecast and misunderstood. In part one of their two-part episode, Elke and Kara discuss stepping outside of stereotypes (with the help of some hair dye), going through the audition ringer, and the behind-the-scenes of being creatives.

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ABOUT

Kara Connolly is an award-nominated actress and singer-songwriter found on the 2020 and 2025 Grammy ballots with music featured in Lionsgate films, IKEA commercials, ABC ads, Showtime, Netflix, and HBO shows, as well as tastemaker publications such as SPIN Magazine, Billboard Argentina, Rolling Stone India, Wonderland Magazine, and more. She's been nominated for three Hollywood Music in Media Awards, was one of Music Connection Magazine's Top Unsigned Artists of the Year, and was just invited to join the prestigious Recording Academy as member of their "Class of 2025." Most recently, you can check out K-Pop sensation ILLIT's (pronounced eye-lit) new mini-album, "bomb," in which Kara co-wrote the playful track "oops!" and you can catch Kara acting in the kid's series, "Hedgehog Land," which was nominated for a 2025 Children's and Family Emmy Award. Kara's latest album "California Queen" is a cathartic alt-pop record centered around self-discovery and when she's not selling out iconic venues like the Hotel Cafe, Peppermint Club, and Troubadour, she is a passionate storyteller, lifelong animal advocate, and undercover hippie.

Website: www.karaconnolly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mskaraconnolly

IG: @karaconnolly

TikTok: @karaconnollymusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/karaconnolly

ABOUT BANGING IT OUT WITH ELKE THOMS

One morning you woke up, shaved your head or dyed your hair pink. "Why did you do that?!” your parents screamed—Comedian Elke Thoms would also like to know. We’ve all heard about getting bangs after a breakup, but is that really why you got them?

Elke delves into her guests’ motivations behind their wildest hair changes (whether that was a mullet or ~gasp~ their first trim that was more than just an inch), and investigates if it was to create a new them, to get back at an ex, or the most unhinged of all—just for fun.

Elke Thoms is a rising star on the Los Angeles comedy scene. Get some serious bragging rights and discover her before everyone else does! With her sharp wit and clever humor, she’s already owning stages at The Comedy Store and Laugh Factory, while making waves at top comedy festivals both here and abroad.

Elke’s also flexed her writing chops as Editor-in-Chief of Northeastern University’s Literary Arts Magazine, and her plays have been produced in L.A., Boston, and Minneapolis.

So, what are you waiting for? Say you found her first!

😎 CONNECT WITH ELKE 😎

🤹🏻‍♀️ Socials | @elkethoms

🕸️ Website | www.elkethoms.com

🎭 BROUGHT TO YOU BY BIG COMEDY NETWORK 🎭

📸 Socials | @ilovebigcomedy

🌐 Website | https://www.bigcomedynetwork.com

🤝🏼 TEAM 🤝🏼

💜 Creator and Host: Elke Thoms

👩🏼‍💻Producer: Elke Thoms

🎵 Music: Chloe Grace Kinnon and Austin Luther

🎨 Art: Nat Jean

📸 Art Photography: Stephanie Girard

AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE

Please note, some of the links in the podcast description are

FOLLOW BANGING IT OUT + ELKE THOMS
Instagram: @bangingitoutpod + @elkethoms
TikTok: @elkethoms

BANGING IT OUT CREDITS
Created and Produced by Elke Thoms
Music by Chloe Grace Kinnon and Austin Luther
Art by Nat Jean
Art Photography by Stephanie Girard