'I hate to break it to you': James Charles 'gets real' about divisive Bunnings visit

James Charles has built an online empire, gathering 80 million social media followers with his makeup tutorials.

But over the past decade, the 26-year-old has also stirred controversy with some of his more over-the-top stunts.

While in Australia, James ruffled some feathers when he visited a Bunnings warehouse and shared his thoughts on the iconic sausage sizzle.

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"Whenever I travel I like to go to local food places and try local delicacies," he said.

"I did Greg's in the UK and a spice bag over in Ireland and when I said I was coming to Australia, my followers said I have to try a Bunnings sausage sizzle."

But when James likened to delicacy to a traditional US hotdog, Aussies were up in arms.

"I've got to be real, people were hating on me but it really is similar to a hotdog in America - I hate to break it to you guys," he said.

James also admitted he didn't realise the Bunnings sausage sizzle is to raise funds for charity and wondered why the woman who served him wouldn't accept his generous tip.

"It came to $31 for the family and I said 'just charge $100,'" he said.

But after a lot of back and forth with the woman insisting it was too much and saying she couldn't, James insisted.

"I said 'Just hold up the card machine and I will type in $100 myself and just Apple pay it,'" he said.

"So I was really grateful to give back and support the cause."

Watch the full interview with James in the video above