Channel 7 releases full list of Big Brother VIP housemates
The cast list for Big Brother VIP has officially been announced, and it’s left many fans wondering who some of the ‘celebrities’ are.
Channel 7 has released the full line-up of celebrities set to star in the first season of Big Brother VIP.
Confirming weeks of speculation, there’s a pool of international talent including Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, Donald Trump’s former political aide Omarosa, and transgender icon Caitlyn Jenner.
The big name trio will be living in the Big Brother house with homegrown identities, including controversial MAFS bride turned influencer Jessika Power, Kyle Sandilands’ ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony and retired NRL player, Matt Cooper.
But there are a few names on the list that have some fans scratching their heads, with many taking to Twitter to express they’ve barely heard of most of the “celebrities”.
RELATED: Thomas Markle Jr’s explosive comments in Big Brother VIP trailer
A who’s who of who’s that. https://t.co/hSPZNdzZhP
— Rhys Nicholson (@rhysnicholson) August 8, 2021
Is this a new meaning of “VIP†I’m unfamiliar with? https://t.co/4Cs6WNfNrr
— Dom Knight 💉Team Astra-lia (@domknight) August 8, 2021
Just when I thought we’d all been through enough already this year… https://t.co/ZjWR1VGhUL
— Tim Blackwell (@tim_blackwell) August 8, 2021
I have Aussie mates overseas wanting to come home to see their sick relatives… yet this… https://t.co/4ck74oc0KY
— Ricardo Gonçalves (@BUSINESSricardo) August 8, 2021
I've heard of 2 of them
— Daniel Zennon (@dzennon) August 7, 2021
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I haven't heard of any of these people except Jenner.
— Carly Carmichael (@CarlyM_xx) August 8, 2021
So VIP stands for Very Irrelevant People. Cool cool cool.
— Matthew Nutley (@_yeltun) August 8, 2021
Who the hell are these people? Are they really VIP? And who the hell are the people who will watch this program? And why on earth would they want to watch it? It is all so very baffling! Can't we just have a replay of the Olympics instead?
— Pat (@expat_2030) August 8, 2021
Here’s the full rundown on the housemates.
Caitlyn Jenner – Transgender icon, former Olympian and reality star
Caitlyn Jenner, who famously transitioned into a woman six years ago, shot to fame winning the gold medal for the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics.
But the 71-year-old achieved a whole new level of superstardom being married to Kardashian family matriarch, Kris Jenner, for 25 years, starring on Keeping Up With The Kardashians across its long run.
Jenner is now vying to become governor of California.
Thomas Markle Jr – Meghan Markle’s half-brother
Meghan Markle’s half-brother, who hasn’t seen the Duchess of Sussex for a decade, has become most renowned for his repeated sledges aimed at the royal in the media.
In the trailer for Big Brother VIP, Thomas says Meghan is “shallow” and that he told Prince Harry she would “ruin his life”.
Omarosa Manigault Newman – Former US president Donald Trump’s political aide
Reality star and author Omarosa was employed as an assistant to former US president Donald Trump, after getting her start competing on the first season of The Apprentice back in 2004.
The 47-year-old famously exited the White House in 2017 and slammed the Trump administration in a tell-all book called Unhinged.
Omarosa is reportedly being paid a whopping $450,000 to star on the show.
Bernard Curry – Australian actor
The 47-year-old actor has starred in just about every iconic Aussie soap.
He got his break as Luke Handley in Neighbours in 1995, before joining Home And Away in 2009 playing Hugo Austin.
Curry also had a stint on Packed To The Rafters, and hosted Beauty And The Geek for four seasons from 2009. He now has a regular role on Foxtel’s prison drama Wentworth playing Jake Stewart.
Danny Hayes – Big Brother 2021 contestant
The self-confessed “million-dollar bogan” was a standout star in this year’s non-celebrity edition of Big Brother.
Danny Hayes, a real estate agent, was branded the most controversial game-player in the show earlier this year, and has been tapped on the shoulder to return to the house for the celebrity version.
Dayne Beams – Former AFL captain
The 31-year-old former footy great is best known for wearing the Collingwood jersey for 119 games from 2009 to 2014, and then again in 2019 and 2020.
He had a stint captaining the Brisbane Lions during the 2017 season, however stepped down as captain during the 2018 season due to personal issues.
After not playing a game in the 2020 season and battling a gambling and prescription drug addiction, Beams retired from the AFL in October last year.
Ellie Gonsalves – Actress and model
The Gold Coast model, who boasts 1.2 million Instagram followers, made her name on the global stage after starring in Yellowtail’s Super Bowl commercial in 2017.
She got her big break in film starring in the 2019 sports comedy, Fighting With My Family, alongside Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne Johnson.
Imogen Anthony – Influencer, model and Kyle Sandilands’ ex
The Aussie influencer is perhaps best known for dating the radio shock jock for eight years.
The pair, who had a 19-year age gap, split in 2019.
Jessika Power – Married At First Sight star
One of the most controversial contestants to emerge from Married At First Sight, Jessika Power is set to ruffle some feathers in the Big Brother house.
Power, who is now an Instagram influencer, became unpopular among contestants and viewers when she cheated on her knockabout “husband” Mick Gould with fellow MAFS groom, Dan Webb, in the 2019 season.
Josh Carroll – Model and influencer
Popular Instagram influencer Josh Carroll boasts 500,000 followers on the social media platform, in which he flaunts his high-flying lifestyle.
The stylish model partners with various high-end brands to produce content, most notably Ralph Lauren.
Luke Toki – Survivor star
Toki was a contestant on Australian Survivor in 2017, before returning to the franchise for Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019.
He gained a fanbase for power playing ways and witty personality.
Matt Cooper – Former NRL player
The 42-year-old former NRL star played at state and international level during his footy career, in which he played for the St George Illawarra Dragons.
After retiring in 2013, Cooper has become somewhat of a fixture on Aussie reality TV, signing on for the 2014 season of Dancing With The Stars, and The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015.
Big Brother VIP airs later this year.
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