The latest season of Big Brother on ITV2 has kicked off with a bang, but not the kind fans were hoping for. The civilian series, now in its third year, has sparked outrage among viewers after producers opted to include three well-known social media influencers among the housemates, blurring the lines between the traditional civilian format and its celebrity counterpart.
The inclusion of these online stars has left fans reeling, with many taking to social media to voice their frustration over what they’re calling a “celebrity hybrid” season. The trio at the center of the controversy? TikTok sensation Elsa-Rae, political influencer Emily Hewertson, and transgender lifestyle vlogger Zelah Glasson. Each brings a sizable online following, raising questions about whether Big Brother is straying too far from its roots of showcasing everyday people.
At the forefront is 21-year-old Elsa-Rae from Essex, a TikTok star with over 300,000 followers. Known for her turbulent three-year on-off relationship with controversial internet personality Ed Matthews, Elsa has been a staple in his shocking livestreams alongside his pal HSTikkyTokky. Her frequent appearances on social media have made her a recognizable face, but her casting in the civilian series has fans crying foul.
Joining her is Emily Hewertson, a political influencer with a following of over 160,000 on X (formerly Twitter). A regular contributor on TV outlets like GB News and Talk, Emily’s presence in the house adds a layer of media savvy that some argue doesn’t belong in a show meant for “regular” people.
Rounding out the trio is 25-year-old Zelah Glasson, a transgender man who has built a steady following of 85,000 on TikTok through his candid lifestyle and fitness videos. His engaging content and interaction with fans have earned him a loyal audience, but his inclusion has further fueled the debate over casting influencers.
The decision to feature such prominent online personalities has not sat well with the Big Brother faithful. Social media erupted after the live launch, with viewers slamming the show for veering toward a celebrity-style format. One fan vented, “So Elsa and Emily both have big social media followings… it’s a bit like a CBBUK hybrid going on here.” Another fumed, “Elsa has like 300k followers on TikTok. Is Big Brother ever going to get the memo that we want normal folk? Emily’s got loads of followers on here too.”
A third viewer expressed disappointment, saying, “Big Brother was doing a little too well with the casting this series. I knew they’d eventually ruin it, and they did by casting an influencer.” Another added, “Omfg… Elsa????? She’s a well-known influencer. Why’s she on the normal version?”
This isn’t the first time Big Brother has stirred the pot by casting notable names. The final years of the Channel 5 era were notorious for blending minor celebrities with civilians. The 2016 series, for instance, was a star-studded affair, featuring The Valleys breakout star Lateysha Grace, who boasted over a million followers, an autobiography, and a fashion line. She was joined by The X Factor contestant Ryan Ruckledge, Justin Bieber’s party pal Laura Carter, BBC newsreader Andy West, Judge Geordie star Alex Cannon, model Jackson Blyton, and controversial figure Andrew Tate, who later gained infamy online.
The following year, 2017, saw Ex On The Beach stars Chanelle McCleary, Kieran Lee, and Kayleigh Morris, along with Ibiza Weekender’s Ellie Young, enter the house, further blurring the line between civilian and celebrity.
As if the influencer controversy wasn’t enough, the season premiere delivered another bombshell: the first housemate was evicted just moments after entering the house. This unprecedented twist has only heightened the drama, leaving fans both stunned and divided as the new season unfolds.
With influencers dominating the headlines and a shock eviction already in the books, this season of Big Brother is shaping up to be one of its most polarizing yet. Will the inclusion of social media stars bring a fresh dynamic to the house, or will it alienate the show’s core audience? One thing’s for sure: fans will be watching closely, and they’re not afraid to make their voices heard.