Big Brother is just one week away, and this year there’s more to Big Brother’s house than meets the eye in an unpredictable, addictive and thrilling new season. Expect wild and wicked surprises lurking above, below and behind every corner that will keep housemates on their toes and turn the game on its head.
Big Brother host Sonia Kruger will use the eviction ceremonies to interrogate the housemates about their strategies, motives and alliances, as well as unpack all the gossip and scandal from inside the house.
With the premiere now just days away, Sonia answered some questions on all things Big Brother.
Big Brother returned with a bang in 2020, loved by audiences and critics alike. Were you thrilled with the reaction?
It was great to see Australia embrace Big Brother in such a huge way. I think we were all excited to witness his mischief and surprises again. However, I suspect he went easy on the housemates last year, so hold on because we’re in for a bumpy ride in 2021.
What were your favourite things about last season?
I loved getting to know the housemates, the nail-biting challenges and the surprise additions to the house like The Bunker. It was such an exciting element and this year there are more secret rooms to be revealed.
Explain why there’s more to this season than meets the eye?
There’s always more than meets the eye with Big Brother. The challenges are crazier than ever, the housemates’ personalities are more complex and even the house itself takes on an ever-changing dynamic.
How would you describe the housemates this year?
The new housemates are like no other group I’ve ever seen. They come from completely different backgrounds, occupations and skill sets. From a casting perspective it’s a fantastic mix of personalities and players.
Housemates are allowed to bring one suitcase of clothing and personal belongings into the house. What essential items would you take into the house?
I’d sneak in food because I’ve seen the rations they live on and it would be great leverage to stop yourself being evicted.
Speaking of food rations, what “luxury” grocery items would you struggle to live without in the Big Brother house?
Rosé and Barbecue Shapes.
What are the qualities housemates need to go far in this competition?
To get to the end of the game, housemates need the ability to read a room quickly and adapt. They have to be able to keep secrets and yet appear to be open and honest. They need to play all sides and somehow remain Switzerland. In short, they need to have all the attributes of a politician.
The Nomination Challenges are physically or mentally gruelling, or both. How important is physical fitness vs mental strength in this game?
The challenges are so diverse that anyone can win and that’s the most exciting thing about watching them unfold. Some require huge amounts of stamina and mental fortitude while others are about speed, balance or problem solving. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to Big Brother’s challenges.
There’s an eviction ceremony in every episode where you get to question the housemates. What can we expect?
My approach is to essentially act as the prosecutor in Big Brother’s courtroom. I try and get to the bottom of what’s going on in the house and elicit the truth from the housemates. They don’t always love me for this, but someone will be sent home and we need to know why. They certainly don’t hold back this season and from night one the evictions are explosive.
Australia will again decide the winner of Big Brother and $250,000 in a live grand final. It’s a big responsibility…
Every episode our feelings and thoughts about each housemate changes and you tend to fall in and out of love with them across the series. For me, that’s what makes it so interesting as it reinforces you can never judge a book by its cover. We get to see who the housemates really are and by the end, someone will have made a mark on our hearts either because of their gameplay, their personality or both. But who wins? You decide!
Think you know Big Brother’s game? Think again. There’s more than meets the eye.
Big Brother is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for the Seven Network and returns Monday, April 26th at 7.30pm on Channel 7.
