After months of preparation, Big Brother will swing open the doors to his VIP hotel at 7.30pm, Monday 1 November, with the star-studded premiere of Big Brother VIP on Channel Seven and 7plus.
Big Brother’s game just got bigger with his invitation to 12 VIPs to take a vacation from their celebrity lives and check into an experience like no other. Never one to do things modestly, Big Brother has invited the VIPs to his first-ever luxury hotel, where they will receive rock star treatment with a Big Brother twist.
Taking to the Big Brother house are:
Caitlyn Jenner: Olympian and Political Candidate
Charity: Trans Pride Australia
At 72 years of age, Caitlyn Jenner may be one of the oldest VIPs entering the Big Brother Hotel but by no means is this going to be a difficult task for her.
Caitlyn is no stranger to reality television, thanks to her key role in Keeping Up With The Kardashians – one of the longest-running reality TV shows ever.
A former Olympic champion and proud trans woman who has raised 10 children, Caitlyn is a member of one of the most undeniably famous families in the world.
Caitlyn has been in the public eye for 45 years and has developed a thick skin after everything she’s been through. Before she transitioned, Caitlyn won gold in the 1976 Olympic Decathlon. She trained every day for 12 years to win and says that it was an extraordinarily satisfying event.
Trans Pride Australia is Caitlyn’s charity of choice. In 2015, Caitlyn famously came out as a trans woman, saying she had dealt with gender dysphoria since her youth and that, “for all intents and purposes, I am a woman.”
Cailtlyn Jenner
Jessika Power: Reality TV star
Charity: Australian Childhood Foundation
Jessika is one of the most famous faces on Australian reality TV after appearing on Married At First Sight, where she unapologetically went after what she wanted – including somebody else’s husband.
Ready for redemption, Jessika wants Australia to know she is no longer that girl. Instead, she is authentic and down-to-earth. Admitting she can be polarising, Jessika isn’t afraid to speak her mind and says, “If you like me, you like me. If you don’t like me, click unfollow babe.”
Jessika naturally gravitates toward being the centre of attention and says coming into Big Brother’s Hotel will be no different. Ready to play, Jessika will have her eye on the prize and wants to show people how much she’s changed. “I am super excited for everyone to see more of a fun, bubbly, outgoing Jess. I’m going to be one hundred percent me.”
Jessika Power
Omarosa: Political aide and author
Charity: Deaf Children Australia
You may know her by one name and one show, but there is more to Omarosa than meets the eye.
Omarosa was nicknamed the ‘Queen of reality television’, after she shot into the limelight in 2004 on the first season of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice. Outspoken with a take no prisoners mentality, Omarosa quickly became one of the biggest players on the show. Clearly making a huge impression, Omarosa co- created and co-produced Ultimate Merger, a hit TV series for Trump Productions.
Omarosa has over 20 years of experience as political advisor and worked previously in the Clinton White House. In 2017 Donald Trump asked her to join his White House as the OPL Director of Communications.
As someone who has worked extremely hard to get to where she is and overcome many obstacles, Omarosa is no stranger to fighting her way to the very top, which she absolutely plans to do in Big Brother’s Hotel. She knows life isn’t always fair but believes you should never let obstacles stop you from pressing forward.
Omarosa is the author of The New York Times best seller, Unhinged, and is well versed in navigating the political landscape. Omarosa understands to succeed in Big Brother’s game you must be able to genuinely connect with people.
Omarosa
Thomas Markle Jr: Famous Big Brother
Charity: ASTHA
After Big Brother himself, Thomas Markle may be a contender for the title of ‘most well-known big brother’ in the world. Half-brother to Meghan Markle, aka the Duchess of Sussex, Thomas is ready to take on a new adventure and wants to show the world who he is and have his side of the story heard.
Growing up in Hollywood, working on different film and television productions with his father, Thomas Markle Snr, Thomas is not concerned with rubbing elbows with VIPs. He knows they are just normal people and he looks forward to meeting his fellow Housemates.
When it comes to playing the game, Thomas intends to enter the Hotel and be himself from the outset. He wants to get to know everybody, take mental notes, but most of all, he plans to be adaptable. He will play every day as it needs to be played and is going in with an open mind.
Thomas Markle Jr
Ellie Gonsalves: Actress and model
Charity: Wildlife Warriors
Australian model, actress and entrepreneur Ellie Gonsalves believes her fellow Hotel guests will underestimate how strong she is, a mistake she will use to her advantage coming into Big Brother VIP.
Ellie has enjoyed international success being handpicked for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s film Fighting With My Family and has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, including L’Oreal and Khloe Kardashian’s Good American.
Ellie confesses to having no filter and thinks how she’s perceived isn’t always accurate. Ellie elaborates, “I think people generally have a misconception about me and who I am. I feel like I have a persona online where I’m very proper, but I love swearing. I’m so sarcastic and goofy and I think that’s one thing people won’t expect.”
Working as a model and actress, Ellie says she’s always needed a sense of humour but has also developed a thick skin. With social media playing a huge part in her career and more than five million followers across her channels, Ellie knows just how brutal the public can be but is confident she can successfully handle things that come her way.
Ellie Gonsalves
Imogen Anthony: Fashion designer and model
Charity: Zambi Wildlife Foundation
Imogen is a sharp-edged woman with a heart of gold, a straight shooter who refuses to apologise for who she is. She doesn’t care for anyone’s opinion of her and will be taking that confident attitude into her game of Big Brother VIP.
“I think the public perception of me is that I am stuck up and a bit of an attention seeker. I don’t pander to anyone. I say what I want, I wear what I want and I figure, if you treat people nicely then that’s the main thing.”
A fashion designer, model and animal rights activist who thrives in creating and directing her own projects, Imogen rose to fame after strutting down the catwalk wearing only a painted-on sand bikini and a pair of trainers.
Thanks to her highly publicised past relationship with radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands, Imogen is familiar with the world of celebrity and isn’t intimidated by living with VIPs but does have some reservations about sharing space. She says, “Living with a group of VIPs is going to be hard because I’m big on personal space and I don’t do well having people in mine.”
Imogen’s relationship with Sandilands also forced her to develop an extremely thick skin, and she knows people will judge her no matter what she does in the Big Brother Hotel. Still, she’s ready to play Big Brother and prepared to play it hard.
Imogen Anthony
Bernard Curry: Actor
Charity: One In Five
Bernard Curry is a household name after appearing in classic Australian television dramas including Home and Away, Wentworth and cult US series Once Upon A Time and Pretty Little Liars. Now, he is ready to make a name for himself in Big Brother’s Hotel.
Growing up in a family of actors, Bernard has been a professional actor since the age of 16. One of his greatest strengths in acting is his ability to form relationships and work collaboratively, a skill he is hoping will come in handy in the Big Brother VIP Hotel.
Father to two sons, 9-year-old Fox and 7-year-old Banjo with wife Sonya, Bernard is no stranger to living in chaos and thinks he will be able to handle whatever Big Brother throws his way. He’s not planning to go too hard, too fast on the strategy chats once inside the Hotel. Instead, he will look for opportunities to make the big moves. Not one to shy away from tough conversations, Bernard says he’ll be ready to stand up for what he believes in.
Naming adaptability as another strength, Bernard says he’s confident he’ll be able to pivot as the game requires. Bernard says, “I know to expect the unexpected in the Big Brother Hotel. Things like being woken up at 3am are not going to phase me.” He doesn’t consider himself a manipulative person but knows how and when to turn on the charm to get what he wants.
Bernard Curry
Josh Carroll: Model and content creator
Charity: Keith’s Closet
Josh is an international model and social media star who has worked with brands worldwide including Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Josh knows his fanbase will be super stoked to see his daily life in the Big Brother Hotel.
Josh trains five days a week and believes his biggest asset will be his power and strength in the challenges, although he isn’t sure whether he will handle the endurance tasks. A self-confessed puppy dog, he will be happy to cheer his Housemates on from the sidelines but isn’t too keen on hanging off a pole for an hour if it’s just for a slice of bread.
More than just a pretty face, Josh thinks people can often underestimate his skills and talents. He wants his Housemates to think he is harmless, but says, “This puppy dog might just turn into a Rottweiler.”
Josh Carroll
Luke Toki: reality TV fan favourite
Charity: Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation – Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Research
Survivor legend Luke is no stranger to the strategic game-playing needed to win Big Brother VIP. A true threat, he will be using his headstrong personality to his advantage.
Luke first won Australian hearts in 2017 when he was a contestant on Australian Survivor, and again in 2019 when he returned to Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders. During his second time on the show, he controversially came in fourth place. Devastated audiences set up a fundraiser for Luke’s family, which raised over $500,000.
His social game will be his biggest asset and he will take any opportunity to blindside his fellow Housemates. Luke knows Big Brother bought him into his Hotel because he is unpredictable, strategic and willing to stir things up, but also admits Big Brother is a very different game. “Being in the Big Brother Hotel is going to be different. I can’t start a fire. I can’t fish, I’m not on an island anymore, I’m in a bloody house! Probably the only thing that’s the same is you don’t get fed much.”
Luke says his Housemates will learn very quickly that he is one to watch and a game player with a strong determination to win at all costs. Hiding behind his quick wit and sharp humour is always a tactic, and Luke will constantly be thinking about the next move to make it further in the game.
Extremely competitive, Luke’s strategy is to start playing the game the second he sets foot in the Hotel. Luke is confident he has ironed out the flaws from his previous losses to create seamless gameplay. Says Luke, “I hope none of the VIPs have watched Survivor and I can go in there with a clean slate. I’ll still play myself, which is pretty much a character!”
Luke Toki
Matt Cooper: NRL superstar
Charity: Livin
NRL legend Matt is acutely aware that his professional sporting background may place a target on his back from the first day he enters Big Brother VIP.
A star player and top try scorer for the St George Illawarra Dragons, where he won the 2010 NRL Grand Final, Matt has appeared on other television programs since retiring from footy, including Dancing With The Stars.
He’s confident he will excel in Big Brother’s challenges, which will give him a lot of power quickly. He says he will be an alpha in the Hotel but will try and keep this low key while working out his fellow VIPs’ strengths and weaknesses.
He’s aware his social game will be a slow burn, saying, “It won’t be good straight away because I like to assess people before I let my guard down. I’ll be like a lion watching its prey before I pounce.”
Although extremely loyal, Matt does not deny there will certainly be some double-crossing occurring in the game. He says he can be a little sneaky and will play this to his advantage in the Hotel. Matt admits, “When it comes to deals and playing the game, I’m very loyal, but it has to be sincere. If I’m trying to make a move to get rid of someone and I don’t give them my word or a handshake, that’s a different story.”
Matt Cooper
Dayne Beams: Former AFL captain
Charity: Love Me, Love You
A former Brisbane Lions captain and Collingwood player, Dayne has played many professional games of AFL and is set to add the ultimate game of Big Brother to his illustrious list when he checks into Big Brother VIP.
Dayne is extremely competitive and will be playing Big Brother VIP the same way he played football – by assessing the situation on the spot and adjusting. He will take the big hits when he needs to and score goals when he must. Dayne says, “I’m extremely competitive. Not just on the field but at home. I don’t even let my wife beat me at tenpin bowling.”
Married to Kelly and proud father to Ruby and Carter, Dayne says his family is his life and have helped him through his lowest point. He wouldn’t be where he is today without them.
“The driving motivation was my kids and my wife. It’s as simple as that. They’re excited for me to go into the Big Brother Hotel. It will be a bit different for them seeing me in a house full of other people instead of on a football field!”
Dayne Beams
Danny Hayes: Big Brother 2021 favourite
Charity: Lifeline
There is no arguing that Danny Hayes is one of the biggest and most determined players to enter Big Brother’s house. Now, Danny is taking it to the next level when he steps inside Big Brother’s Hotel.
First entering Big Brother in 2021, Danny’s game was a tumultuous and emotional journey, which ultimately saw him evicted on the second last day of the game, missing the crown by a thread. For a competitor like Danny, this was more heartbreaking than being evicted on the very first day. He’s now had plenty of time to reflect on where his game strategy failed and returns with a fierce determination to win.
Danny is a real estate mogul who manages numerous successful offices throughout Geelong. In his first year as an agent, Danny set a Victorian record for the number of homes sold.
Playing the game of Big Brother for the second time, Danny has a “no holds barred” attitude. He says, “Some people are going to go in there to make friends. I’m not. I’m going in there to evict people. It’s my Hotel.”
When asked why he thinks Big Brother summoned him as a VIP, Danny says, “It’s not because I’m a very important person. It’s so I can wipe the grin off all those VIP faces. And when they see me in there, they know there’s going to be a whole lot of carnage going down!”
Danny Hayes