How Big Brother winner Reggie Sorensen fell victim to Gold Coast rental crisis

Battling divorce, legal fees and scams that ate up the winnings from her first Big Brother triumph - Reggie Sorensen reveals she faced an even bigger challenge: the Gold Coast’s brutal rental market.

Since being crowned the winner of Big Brother in 2003, there have been many highs and lows for Gold Coast resident Reggie Sorensen.

Battling divorce, legal fees and scams that ate up the winnings from her first television triumph, Reggie reveals she has been facing another challenge – Gold Coast’s rental crisis.

The bubbly Aussie battler spoke with the Bulletin after Tuesday’s finale, where she took home the $250,000 prize and became the first person in the world to win Big Brother twice.

“I honestly thought one of the boys was going to take it out. I didn’t think I could win it twice,” Reggie said.

“I’m going to use the money as a deposit to hopefully find somewhere for me and the kids to have our own home.

“I’ve been renting now for over 10 years. Hopefully we’ll get some stability in our lives.”

Originally from Tasmania, Reggie has called the Gold Coast home for the past 16 years and raised her son and daughter here.

The mum was recently told her Coombabah rental had been sold, leaving her to find a new home amid the rental crisis.

Big Brother winner Reggie Sorensen at home on the Gold Coast. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“I’ve had that sickening feeling of ‘what is going to happen?” Reggie said.

“It’s so bad here. I just feel for people, I feel so sorry for them.

“There are thousands and thousands on the waiting list to get a housing commission place.

“I was on (the wait list) years ago and I remember back then they were telling me there were 20,000 people ahead of me waiting.”

Reggie plans to use her prize money to buy a home. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The Queen of Big Brother said she loved her Gold Coast lifestyle and planned to buy in the Coombabah or Helensvale areas.

She needs to find a home close to shops, facilities and public transport due to having a degenerative eye condition.

Reggie is expected to completely lose her vision and can’t drive or work a typical job.

“I don’t have any peripheral or night vision,” she said.

“It’s like looking through a straw – that’s how I explain it.

“I still get out and about and I do make the most of everything while I’ve got this vision left.”

Reggie is the first person in the world to win Big Brother twice. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Even when she’s grabbing groceries at the local Runaway Bay Shopping Centre, she still gets stopped by strangers.

“It’s really humbling to know that after 19 years people still want to come up and say hello,” she said.

“They’re so comfortable doing it because they feel like they know me, it’s like I’m their friend.”

As for the future, Reggie plans to become an even bigger reality TV star.

“Throw me in I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here – that would be hilarious,” she said.

“I’d love to do Gogglebox or Travel Guides.”

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Originally published as How Big Brother winner Reggie Sorensen fell victim to Gold Coast rental crisis