Why did you apply to be on this new series of Big Brother?
I’m in this weird in-between where I’ve recently left the corporate world into having a bit of a looser schedule while I get qualified and build my business, so it felt like a ‘why not’ situation. I’m someone who doesn’t have much of a social battery that runs out, so I’m very intrigued to see how far that goes in the house. Also, being trans, I think that a lot of the media narrative at the moment is taken out of our hands, and it will be nice to re-centre that and retake control. Shows like Big Brother show the normality of people – you can’t get more personal than watching someone 24/7.
What do you think you’ll bring to the House?
I’m quite an energetic person. I think that’s both a strength and a weakness. I might get a little bit unbearable without the gym – that’s definitely my main coping mechanism for the chaotic-ness of the energy I have. I’m very social – I’m someone who takes on the role of the rounder-upper. I like to organise things, I like to do things in a group. I’d like to think that I’d contribute to group work in the house. And I’m really looking forward to the tasks, so I think I’d be someone who can throw themselves into that.
What are you looking forward to the most about being a Housemate?
I’ve set myself an aim to make at least one good friend in the House – I’d love that. I think being able to connect with people will be something I’m quite intrigued by. It will be nice to be around a combination of different people that otherwise I wouldn’t necessarily have met. And the tasks – I think the tasks could be quite fun.
Do you have a strategy for making it to the final?
No. I have a strategy for coping. I’m aware that when you’re in there you apparently forget about the cameras. I’m hoping I do because there’s a lot of pressure to try and get things right. My main aim is to not hold my personality back out of fear of getting things wrong. I would like to win, I would like to get to the final, but I don’t really have a strategy on how to get there.
What are you most likely to get nominated for?
I can be quite opinionated but I’d like to think that wouldn’t necessarily be a reason to nominate me. My strategy for those situations is to talk it out. I think also maybe food (or lack of) might be another reason for me being nominated. I can get very hangry. That might get to people.
Tell us one thing about yourself you think will surprise people the most.
That I am trans is usually quite surprising, because I have a combination of stereotypical masculine traits in the fact that I’m a PT and I like the gym. But I think the more surprising element is that there’s a level of femininity to me, and I think that is shown in the way that I connect with people and the way I carry myself.
What would you do with the money if you won?
I’ve had a few thoughts about this – I think the biggest thing would be that I’d contribute towards my business – training LGBT people and women. On a smaller note, I’d like to take my girlfriend on a really lovely holiday to say sorry for leaving her while I’m in the Big Brother House.
