A former Big Brother contestant has really stirred things up by doubling down on some pretty harsh remarks about a new housemate in this season's lineup.
Meet Zelah: Big Brother's newest standout
Say hello, or rather, a big wave, from South London! Zelah, a charismatic personal trainer who's proudly transgender, just joined this season's diverse Big Brother cast, which hit our screens on Sunday, September 28. Joining Zelah are some equally intriguing housemates: Nancy, a Scottish gamer; Gani, a bi Dua Lipa fan who juggles pizzas as a manager at Pizza Hut; and Sam, a chipper queer Zumba instructor from Chipton.
It didn't take long before viewers warmed up—like, totally—to Zelah, showering love over his warm nature, striking looks, and undeniable magnetism. It's no wonder some fans are already placing their bets on him clinching this season's win. In his promo video, Zelah sweetly laid out his mission: showing everyone that being transgender isn't just a choice but a core part who he really, truly, deeply, profoundly (did I say deeply?) identifies as.
Controversy erupts over past contestant's disparaging comments
Even though Zelah's gained a lotta love, Nathan King, who you might remember from Big Brother 2024, didn't hold back on Instagram. He shared Zelah's promo video but went rogue with his own nasty jabs. He misgendered Zelah and dropped this bombshell: “She's right, it ain't a choice, it's a MENTAL ILLNESS” and jabbed further saying, “This should NOT be encouraged.” Ouch.
Although King probably thought his Instagram stories were as fleeting as a Snapchat, screenshots spread like wildfire all over social media—Reddit lit up like a Christmas tree! Users were really ticked off, calling his words just plain disgusting.
Standing firm in stormy backlash
In a plot twist nobody wanted, Nathan King hasn't backed down. Both barrels blazing, he told media, “Yup, I stand by it all. I genuinely believe being transgender's a ‘mental illness.' Weirdly, I've gotten so much abuse and even death threats. Maybe society craves obedience over reality.”
King aired out concerns about how transgender folks are represented on prime-time TV, worried it might make young viewers question their gender identity, and called it both irresponsible and potentially harmful. But, let me remind you, in 2019, The World Health Organization officially removed being transgender from mental health disorders. Experts? They keep saying supporting transgender people positively impacts their mental health.
A wave support crashes in Zelah's favor
Nathan King's words might've stirred controversy, but they've also rallied an even bigger wave behind Zelah and all transgender folks. Fans are backing Zelah's bravery and honesty with gusto. This only highlights how much work's still needed socially and in media representation.
As this season unfolds, Zelah and housemates like Somerset's Cameron, 56-year-old Caroline (who's been engaged five times!), and Elsa (the ghost whisperer?) keep viewers glued. Other housemates include Bristol's Teja, Royal Navy vet Marcus, self-proclaimed rule-breaker Jenny, and Tate, who moonlights as a Butler-in-the-Buff engineer.
Tune in: Big Brother airs on ITV2 and ITX from Sunday through Friday at 9 p.m.
Don't just watch—talk! Share your thoughts and engage respectfully on these hot topics. And while you're at it, let's keep showing our support and love towards our incredible LGBTQ+ friends, especially those in our transgender community facing adversity.
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