Last year, Big Brother returned to Australian tv screens for the first time since 2014 with a new voice, new format and a brand new house filled with a modern melting pot of housemates.
This year, there’s more to the 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.
In the first week, 20 housemates will enter the Big Brother house where they’ll live together for more than 60 days, cut off from the outside world, with cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day.
These housemates think they know Big Brother but with new rules and massive twists in a house full of secrets, they’ll have to think on their feet and play the game hard if they want to make it to the end.
Each episode, the housemates will also compete in a nomination challenge in Big Brother’s basement and new challenge arena – The Yard. During the nomination challenge they will be competing to win the power to nominate their fellow housemates for eviction.
There’ll be an eviction every episode in which housemates will individually vote to decide who will leave the house. Big Brother host Sonia Kruger will use these 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.
Ultimately, three housemates will be left standing and, in a live Grand Final television event, Australia will vote to determine who deserves to win Big Brother and the $250,000 prize.
Big Brother begins Monday, April 26th at 7.30pm on Channel 7.
Meet the housemates
Name: Ari
Age: 22
From: NSW
Instagram: @ari.kimber1
Master manipulator Ari is a highly intelligent and extremely ambitious student from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Ari’s biggest fear in life is driving a boring car, to a boring job and coming home to a boring house and mortgage.
His focus in life is power and money and he won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in the way of achieving his goals – one of which is becoming Australia’s youngest Prime Minister.
Ari thrives on being 10 steps ahead of everyone else. This “leader in disguise” won’t let on how smart he is to the other housemates, instead using his studies in law, communications and neuropsychology to charm them into loving him and doing his will.
Ari believes this ability to build fake friendships will be key to winning Big Brother’s game, after which he plans to go on a spending spree in France.
Until then, he’ll have to deal with his biggest concerns in the Big Brother house – no dry cleaning or sparkling water, and grubby housemates.
Name: Carlos
Age: 39
From: WA
Instagram: @charlieshun
Hailing from Colombia, international teacher Carlos has a lust for life that is unrivalled.
While holidaying down under in 2010, Carlos fell in love with the Australian lifestyle and never left. Now an Australian citizen and based in Perth, the lovable Latino is loud, proud and bursting with energy – perhaps due to the 14 cups of coffee he drinks obsessively each day.
While his friends may describe him as “loco”, Carlos believes it’s his big heart and positive attitude which will make him stand out in the house.
A self-professed dreamer, Carlos lives to inspire and motivate others, a trait he would love to turn into a career someday. He can’t stand negative people and is hoping the other housemates will find his positivity infectious.
But don’t be fooled by this happy guy – Carlos is determined to be the winner of Big Brother’s game so he and his partner can use the prize money to help achieve their dream of becoming parents.
As Carlos sees it, you only get one life so fight for your dreams, try new things, discover new skills and make amazing memories.
Name: Charlotte
Age: 24
From: QLD
Instagram: @thecharlottehall
Sassy, single stylist Charlotte is not afraid to be seen or heard, in fact she thrives on it.
As the youngest of five children, Charlotte is used to finding ways and means to stand out.
A fan of wearing cheetah print, “Princess Char” as she calls herself, has worked in the fashion industry for seven years across her hometown of Brisbane and LA. She dreams of one day becoming a full-time celebrity stylist.
Charlotte is entering the Big Brother house without a specific game plan but is ready to do whatever it takes to get to the final three. She wants to prove to herself that she can do something so completely out of her comfort zone and believes her ability to read people will get her far.
If Charlotte were to win, she’d put the prize money towards “something obnoxious” and pop the rest in savings.
Charlotte’s only downfall could be the ramifications of sleep deprivation as she readily admits she can’t function without naps and a proper night’s sleep.
Name: Christina
Age: 22
From: VIC
Instagram: @podolyano
Melbourne flight attendant Christina is looking forward to take-off in the Big Brother house.
With her airline career grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, going into Big Brother is a dream come true for superfan Christina.
Energetic, fun loving, single and a hopeless romantic, Christina is bound to turn heads.
Her strategy for longevity in the game is to establish emotional connections with as many people as possible and purposely lose the first few challenges so she’s not seen as a threat. Just don’t gossip, be arrogant or steal rations – housemates don’t want to see Christina when she’s “hangry”.
Born in Israel with a Russian background, Christina migrated to Australia with her family when she was 10 years old after her father decided it was too dangerous to live in Tel Aviv.
If she were to win Big Brother, Christina wishes to give back to her family by helping her busy mum live a stress-free life and someday visit relatives back in Israel.
Name: Christopher
Age: 37
From: QLD
Instagram: @realchristopherwayne
Brisbane magician Christopher is used to baring all but he’s still got some tricks up his sleeve.
Christopher is creator and co-star of The Naked Magicians, which played in 300 cities around the world and was the first Australian magic show to headline its own residency on the Las Vegas strip.
The successful magician and stand-up comedian admits he can be polarising but is confident his well-honed powers of manipulation and the ability to think quickly on his feet will get him far in the game.
Christopher sees himself as a charming, funny, “I don’t trust you, but I want to sleep with you” villain and says he’d love nothing more than to meet the woman of his dreams in the Big Brother house.
If he makes it to the end, Christopher plans to buy his favourite lady – his mum – her dream red sports car after the sacrifices she made to ensure he and his brother could have a good life.
More than winning, Christopher wants to be remembered and live a life that is worthy of a biography.
Name: Daniel
Age: 48
From: VIC
Instagram: @daniel_hayes3
Geelong real estate mogul Daniel is pathologically driven to succeed.
The Harley Davidson enthusiast is one of the most outspoken, blunt, antagonistic and unconventional people you’ll ever meet.
After dropping out of high school in Year 10, Daniel managed to channel his intensity and turn it into a successful real estate business, tell-all book and motorcycle vlog, Million Dollar Bogan, plus he’s the proud owner of a $500,000 Ferrari – not that he’ll be telling the other housemates.
Being underestimated is part of Daniel’s strategy. He’s deadly serious about winning Big Brother and is not going to hold back, planning to play hard, laugh hard and even love hard if need be.
The single father-of-two does have a softer side and openly admits he wears his insides on his outsides.
A serial fundraiser, if Daniel were to win he’d give a chunk of the prize money to the locals of Northern Laos, a country that has made a significant mark on him. And the rest he’d share between his business partner, kids and mum.
Name: Jess
Age: 29
From: VIC
Instagram: @jesstrend
Fremantle Dockers AFLW recruit Jess is equal parts competitive and bubbly.
The former North Melbourne defender/midfielder, who also works as a PE teacher, survived a two-year setback due to a ruptured ACL before reaching her dreams of being drafted in 2018.
Jess believes her patience and bubbly nature should see her make strong connections in the house, although she is mindful that her physical prowess and competitive spirit may be viewed as a threat.
Jess is very close to her family, especially twin brother Ben and her nana, and wants to make them all proud while showing Australia exactly who she is.
Her strategy is to take things one day at a time and not take any part of the experience for granted. Jess’ word means everything to her and while she intends to play an honest game, she accepts she’ll have to do what it takes to get to the end.
If she were to score a win, Jess would love to buy a house for herself and her cat, Larry George.
Name: Katie
Age: 27
From: NSW
Instagram: @katiewilliams
Influential trainer and podcaster Katie likes making people feel good.
This “hype girl” from Sydney’s Northern Beaches is an ex-beach sprinter who became world champion when she was just 19. Katie has turned her passion for health, wellness and self-development into a career and is all about living your best life.
Always 10 steps ahead and on the go, Katie is set to be a major challenge threat but she wants to show Australia there’s more to her than just fitness.
A self-professed empath, she wants to be real, make connections, have fun and lift others along the way although she acknowledges housemates may find some of her rituals and morning routines “a bit loopy”.
While she’ll miss nature, running and music while in the house, Katie is looking forward to being totally present with no phone, no work and no distractions.
If she were to come first across the finish line, Katie would use the prize money to give back to her parents who sacrificed a lot to support her dreams. She’d also like to invest in her own education so she may one day support others as her coaches and mentors helped her.
Name: Lillian (AKA Flex Mami)
Age: 26
From: NSW
Instagram: @flex.mami
Lillian aka Flex Mami’s life is one big social game and now she’s keen to take on the biggest social experiment of them all.
Lil has made a name for herself as a successful presenter, DJ, podcaster and entrepreneur, even taking out the 2020 E! People’s Choice Award for Australian Social Star of the Year.
Based in Sydney’s Western Suburbs, this new generation businesswoman is looking forward to getting away from the real world and seeing how she thrives in the Big Brother house.
Lil doesn’t have a strategy, instead preferring to let the experience come to her naturally. She’s confident, capable, creative and good at connecting with others but gets annoyed easily at people who can’t articulate themselves or hold interesting conversations.
If she were to win, Lil would vibe out and live lavishly but ultimately, she’s playing Big Brother’s game for the life experience. Nothing is off limits for Lil and she’s proud to be a person who does cool things in a pretty sick life.
Name: Marley
Age: 26
From: VIC
Instagram: @marleeyb
This basketball star with a big smile and big heart is shooting for a slam dunk in Big Brother’s game.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Marley played college basketball in the US where he scored a scholarship to Pepperdine University, one of his proudest achievements.
He now plays for the Dandenong Rangers in the NBL1 and works as a support worker and psychosocial recovery coach within the disability industry.
Marley radiates positivity, love and happiness. He thrives on competition and cannot wait to take on Big Brother’s challenges but is looking forward to all the fun to be had as well.
After losing his mum to cancer four years ago, this humble straight shooter is motivated to win so he can set up and take care of his dad.
Marley’s long-term girlfriend, also a professional athlete, will be watching on from the US as they navigate a long-distance relationship through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Name: Mary
Age: 56
From: VIC
Instagram: @maryykala
After raising three children, stay-at-home mum Mary has decided it’s her time to shine.
After raising two daughters and a son with husband Theo, Mary is stepping out of her comfort zone and into the Big Brother house to show everyone she’s more than just a mum.
This outspoken, life of the party still feels she has a lot of life lessons to learn and can’t wait to meet some beautiful humans and have some fun.
An accomplished home cook and baker, Mary plans to win the house over by doing a lot of cooking (“I want to get all of those bastards fat”). Another part of her strategy is to align herself with the alpha players so they can keep her safe without Mary lifting a finger.
Something Mary won’t be sharing is that one of her daughters is influencer Martha Kalifatidis, as she doesn’t want any of the housemates treating her differently.
If Mary were to cook up a win, she would donate to a children’s charity and an animal shelter and put the rest towards gifts for her sister and kids.
Name: Max
Age: 29
From: QLD
Instagram: @max_beattie
Everything is a competition to Gold Coast Ironman Max and he’s coming into Big Brother to win.
With a New Zealand background, Max grew up in Kiama, NSW before moving to Queensland at a young age. The elite athlete, who also works in events and marketing, has been competing since 2015. He was the 2016 World Life Saving Champion and is a four-time New Zealand Ironman Champion.
Friendly but competitive, Max is confident he’ll be a challenge beast in the house. He doesn’t do anything just to participate – it is always to win.
As a creature of habit and regiment, the prospect of the unknown is both exciting and terrifying to him.
Currently single, Max is looking forward to making new friends in the house and creating good habits. He can’t stand people who are selfish or rude.
If Max were to claim the Big Brother gold, he’d celebrate with family and friends, buy a new car and put it towards another property.
Name: Melissa
Age: 33
From: SA
Instagram: mel_mcgorman
Outback mum Melissa is putting everything on the line to save her family farm.
Mel was born into a horse racing family, living across Western Australia and Victoria before settling in country South Australia. Mel and her partner Ryan are sheep farmers but after battling everything from drought to bushfires, they’re only just hanging on to the family farm.
Leaving her three young children at home for the first time, Mel’s entering Big Brother’s house with her eyes firmly on the prize. The money would go towards 2,000 UltraWhite ewe lambs to help drought proof the farm for years to come and change her family’s lives forever.
With her infectious smile, bubbly personality and “can do” attitude, there’s no chance of “Lady Ba Ba” Mel flying under the radar.
Mel is no sheep herself though. She intends on being a big player as opposed to following the flock and will happily make big moves and evict weak housemates who she feels don’t deserve to be there at the end.
Name: Michael
Age: 29
From: WA
Instagram: @michael.james.brown
He might present as happy-go-lucky, but Perth marketing consultant Michael is a smiling assassin.
Don’t be fooled by Michael’s adorkable charms. This well-travelled dreamer can be calculated and cunning and is happy to make bold, ruthless moves to advance in Big Brother’s game.
Michael loves thinking big and making the impossible happen. He’s also a mischief-maker who won’t gel well with alpha males or people with strong opinions who won’t listen to others.
Michael still lives at home with his mum and while his awkwardness is endearing, it’s left him unlucky in love. He’s keen to find someone to go on crazy adventures with and encourage him to behave like an adult.
If Michael’s game plan succeeds, he’s likely to buy a Tesla, put the money towards a home deposit or blow it all on travel. He knows that whatever happens he’ll learn a lot about himself through this adventure.
Name: Mitchell
Age: 26
From: QLD
Instagram: @mitchoi
Chatty nature lover Mitchell has some surprising obsessions.
2D animator Mitchell is a unique fella from Cairns whose favourite pastime is bird watching. Nothing makes him happier than waiting patiently for a glimpse of a rare and colourful bird.
His other passions are foraging and platypus (he even has them tattooed on his body) and if he were to take out Big Brother, Mitchell would use the money to buy land in the Daintree Rainforest to keep it safe from developers.
To achieve his goal, Mitchell intends to be his witty, social, helpful self while observing each housemate closely and working out when to strike.
A self-professed open book, he’s likely to share every embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to him. He’s very single and can’t wait to meet a lovely lady who shares his passion for the environment.
Name: Nicholas
Age: 29
From: SA
Instagram: @ollgregg
Nicholas is a colour blind house painter from Adelaide who might just be the most laid-back guy in Australia.
This lovable larrikin used to play cricket for South Australia where he was known for his cheeky banter on and off the field. He might be slow and easy-going but Nick still has a competitive streak and hates to lose.
Nick values honesty over arrogance. He’s always trying to make people laugh and look for the humour in every situation. His only strategy going into the house is to have a great time.
Nick has two beautiful females in his life – fiancé Lara and pet Staffy Edwina – and he’s not sure who he’ll miss more!
If Nick’s the last man standing at the end of Big Brother’s innings, he would love to buy a home by the beach – that’s if he doesn’t blow it all on Edwina first.
Name: Renata
Age: 45
From: SA
Instagram: @renatabub_
Renata is a cool, no-nonsense mum who lives by brutal honesty and expects the same in return.
Hailing from Lithuania, Renata moved to Australia in 2007 and is based in Adelaide where she’s a flight attendant and part way through a Bachelor of Nursing.
Renata was a wife and mum at a young age and counts her two, now grown up, children as her proudest achievement. The now single divorcee is not afraid to speak her mind which could see her ruffle some feathers in the house.
Hard working, funny and very opinionated, Renata is confident in who she is as a person. She understands her attitude can make her unlikeable to some. All she asks is that the housemates be honest with her because she can’t stand pretenders or people on a power trip.
The prize money would be life changing for Renata, helping to provide a better future for her kids and a trip home to Lithuania to see family.
Name: Sarah Jane
Age: 66
From: NSW
Instagram: @saramaijewels
Sarah Jane is an entrepreneur, author and style icon based in Sydney’s inner west.
An antique jewellery dealer by trade, SJ started out selling on the streets of London before turning it into an international business.
The fiercely independent, married mother-of-two’s life changed in 2014 when her daughter posted a photo of SJ wearing a red Adidas tracksuit on Instagram. The post when viral and SJ’s profile exploded, with people around the world connecting with her attitude and way of living.
Coming into Big Brother’s house, SJ wants to dispel a few fears that people have about aging and prove that anyone can take themselves out of their comfort zone and fly.
Competitive and ambitious, she’ll rely on her wits, endurance and smarts to progress in the game while staying true to her core values such as kindness, understanding and an open heart.
When it comes to thoughts of winning, SJ’s motto is to take things one step at a time and don’t spend money before you get it.
Name: Sid
Age: 34
From: WA
Instagram: @sidpattni
Overachieving creative genius Sid is a man of many talents.
The gifted Indian-Australian artist was born in London, raised in Kenya and spent his teenage years in Perth where he now works as a high school art teacher.
A self-taught professional visual artist, Sid was a finalist in The Lester Prize for portraiture in 2020 and has had his work exhibited at The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Sid’s also made a name for himself as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer, releasing his own material and working with the likes of Meg Mac, Kimbra, M-Phazes and John Legend.
Highly disciplined, curious and adaptable, Sid tends to be very even keel with his emotions and is looking forward to testing his resilience and mental fortitude in the Big Brother house.
He intends on playing a smart game but will come undone when faced with loud, brash housemates who have a lack of self-awareness – or a bad hair day!
If he were to take out the prize, Sid plans to invest and put some of it towards his wedding to fiancé Maddy.
Name: Tilly
Age: 21
From: NSW
Instagram: @tillywhitfield
Blonde bombshell Tilly is smarter than she looks, literally.
Tilly is a communications student from Sydney’s Northern Beaches who’s used to being underestimated. But this “book smart, street dumb” ball of energy is planning to use this to her advantage, letting the housemates think she’s a ditzy blonde while she makes educated plays to advance in the game.
Tilly has a short attention span, no filter and is very likely to put her foot in it at times. She admits her lack of physical fitness is a weak spot but her mental stamina and practical mind should see her through challenges.
Currently single, Tilly will miss her family, her pet Chihuahua Tinkerbell and her phone while in the house but she’s set on showing Australia that young people who look like her can be winners in Big Brother’s game.
If she succeeds, Tilly will put the prize money towards her parents’ mortgage, donate to an animal charity and maybe even start her own business.
Think you know Big Brother’s game? Think again.
There’s more than meets the eye.