Crossword Genius

The Tailor of Panama got money by word of mouth starting off from Hollywood, Los Angeles (7,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

central american

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the tailor' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'panama got money by word of mouth starting off from hollywood los angeles' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'money' could be 'cent' (I've seen this before) and 'cent' is present in the answer.
'hollywood' could be 'la' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'la' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for central american that I've seen is " from the Isthmus".)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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