Big Brother contestant Hallie has discussed her transition process after telling her fellow housemates that she is a transgender woman.
After sharing the news with the other contestants during Monday’s episode, the 18-year-old youth worker said it was “freeing” to be honest about her identity.
While the 16 contestants were making rules at breakfast the morning after they entered the house, Hallie said she did not feel she was being “100% authentic” when she first entered.
Here's to Hallie being her authentic self ❤️ #BBUK pic.twitter.com/hS8zOrk6TS
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) October 9, 2023
Her fellow housemates praised her for telling them as Chanelle told her: “Good for you. That’s very brave of you,” while Dylan says: “This is a moment. I like it.”
Later she told Big Brother in the diary room that she had been “scared” to tell the other contestants in case they would have a “prejudice opinion” towards her.
She said: “Yesterday I just felt like I wasn’t being 100% authentic with everyone and I was hiding a big part of who I am so this morning I thought let me be 100% honest and just tell the housemates that I am transgender.
“I’m not going to lie, my heart was beating out of my chest, it was quite nerve racking.
“I was scared of people having a prejudice opinion towards me because as soon as you hear the word trans, some people’s minds go elsewhere.”
The youth worked noted that all the contestants had been “very respectful and open-minded”, adding: “And the love and support has been amazing.
“I’ve made it clear. I’m happy to talk about my journey, if they have any questions I’m an open book.
“And I just hope that they will try to get to know me a bit more but it felt freeing.”
Hallie might be 18, but she's not about to be the baby of the House #BBUK pic.twitter.com/zk1COfzk0N
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) October 8, 2023
Elsewhere in the episode, Hallie told fellow housemates Jenkin, 25 and NHS manager Kerry, 40, that she started hormone therapy when she aged 16.
She explained the difficulties she has had with securing treatment due to long waiting lists, and revealed that she plans to have vaginoplasty surgery and pay her mother back for the years of treatment she paid for if she wins the £100,000 prize.
She added: “The mind doesn’t match the body, that’s the best way to describe being trans. I have a female mind, but the body just doesn’t match.”
The four steps of processing a challenge: Chanelle edition #BBUK pic.twitter.com/WXORHJCzOR
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) October 9, 2023
The episode also saw the contestants play a game where different housemates took it in turns to line up the housemates from most to least in relation to a personality trait including intelligence, trustworthiness and being kind.
Housemate Olivia had been set a task by Big Brother the night previous to be not be voted least entertaining – which would be rewarded with her being immune from the upcoming elimination.
To keep her fellow housemates entertained throughout the day, the 23-year-old dancer taught them Scottish songs, how to cartwheel and told a story dramatically about how fellow housemate Farida had eaten off her plate.
Her antics paid off as she was voted one of the most entertaining by food writer Henry.
Big Brother continues on Monday on ITV2 and ITV at 9pm.