Okay, this is a bit outdated but I'm just too excited about having interviewed “Big Brother”, I don't care about the timing. Besides, I've never in my life read an interview with any Big Brother so I'm too chuffed that Kaunda Chama (that's Big Brother to you) agreed to be interviewed.
Until someone actually shows me another Biggy interview, this is going down as history in the making :-)
Looking cool BB!!
I first met Kaunda when I went to the BBA3 house one Monday during the show. The only thing I noticed about him was that he had an “interesting” voice but it didn't click that he could be Biggy and for some weird reason, even though I was "there", the idea of actually seeing "Big Brother" didn't cross my mind at all.....
Then someone mentioned to me that he was Big Brother and only then did I recognise his voice so I got all excited, quickly got out my phone to take pictures but of course the show was still on so I had to promise that I would not use the picture....
The show's over now so I can bring you an interview with the guy behind Big Brother's voice on Big Brother Africa 3! Here's how the quick chat went...
Brown Shuga: Wow! First of all I have to say thank you for granting me this interview. How did you end up as Big Brother?
Kaunda Chama: You are welcome. I heard about the auditions through a friend and decided to go through and try my luck. At first I thought I had no chance because of the competition I found there (No names mentioned), but when I was called back for a second interview I was like: “I think I might just get this”…and guess what I did.
BS: Awesome..so tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up and what do you do?
Kaunda: I was born in a small town called Kabwe in Zambia
BS: Oh, so you're TK's homeboy!
Kaunda: Yeah...I was raised in Lusaka and Grimsby (UK). I am a journalist by profession and currently I am the editor of an IT publication but at the same time I am a voice artist and have had a short stint on radio, something I would like to get back to.
BS: With that voice, you'd do well on radio!
Kaunda: The funny fact is that I always wanted to be on radio and TV but I wound up in print.
When I am not working I like to spend time with my wife (Gugu) and baby girl (Tasha) and I am now a social basketball player. I also have a music collection that could put some DJs to shame.
BS: Hahaha move over DJ Waxxy, DJ Biggy is in da house! So how did it feel, being Big Brother?
Kaunda: Being the voice of big brother was a great honour and a great adventure. At some level one feels humbled by the chance to be able to be in such a position and at the same time you are dealing with 12 very colourful people on a daily basis and anything can happen. I think its an experience that I will always treasure.
BS: Are you a fan of the Big Brother show in general?
Kaunda: Yes I am and that’s why I think it was quite easy for me to take up the role of the big brother voice. I have even watched Big Brother in languages that I don’t understand. I have been intrigued by the advent of reality TV and I am always watching what new wacky ideas that people come up with.
BS: So I take it this was your first time as Biggy then? (Silly question, now that I think of it)
Kaunda: Yes indeed, this was my first big brother stint and I hope it is not my last time working on the project.
BS: Well, I don't think they'll make you Biggy again after this interview heheh.
Could you tell your friends that you were Big Brother during the show or was that meant to be kept a secret from them too?
Kaunda: It was kept under wraps because of the nature of the show and as you can see you are the first person I am speaking to about it. However, my family and very close friends could tell although I tried many times to deny it.
BS: So what sort of training did you go through in preparation for being Big Brother?
Kaunda: The training was simply around understanding how the console works, that is the interface between the voice and housemates as well as understanding the rules of the competition and how to interact with the housemates.
That was also fun because I practiced with the production team and some celebrities that spent a weekend in the house before the housemates came in.
BS: Was there like a rule book about Biggie's behaviour that you had to study?
Kaunda: There was a rule book that the whole production team had to read and understand that outlines certain rules yes.
BS: How much lee way were you given in terms of what you could say to the housemates because sometimes when they asked you questions it seemed like you had to ask someone about how to reply to them?
Kaunda: I had a good amount of freedom, its just that sometimes I had to take a minute and think the answers through so as to avoid confusing the housemates or sending the wrong message. Being that it was live television, I had to be very careful about what I said, because once something is said, its live on air and you can’t take it back
BS: So Big Brother's leniency towards the housemates, do we blame that on you or the producers?
Kaunda: Actually the lenience was 50% the perception of the viewer, Big Brother was quite strict, but the nature of BBA III, which was a wild and wacky one, made it such that certain things could be let to pass. But if you ask the housemates honestly biggie did not give them an easy ride.
BS: Hayi Biggie you did coz they even went on strike mos! Did you have any favourites in the house?
Kaunda: Not at all, being in that position makes you realize how parents with many kids feel. You have to be fair to all housemates and can’t pick outright favourites. But if you make it more specific like who was the craziest, I’d say Uti, Ricco and Tawana. Talkers were Mimi, Munya and Morris and Latoya. Quiet, Hazel and Lucielle. Hard to get through to, Sheila and Takondwa and Thami.
BS: Who was your favourite housemate to chat to in the Diary Room?
Kaunda: Most of the time it was Uti, Mimi, Morris and Tawana, I was always sure something interesting would come out of that.
BS: Hahaha especially with Mimi! And who would you say was your most boring? Hazel?
Kaunda:I would not say Hazel was boring, she was just always taking her time to chose her words very carefully. I think she was doing her best to sell herself to Africa in the best possible way.
BS: When you heard that the housemates were pissed off with your boring and predictable questions, did you not want to change them?
Kaunda:The thing is that only two of them mentioned that and I understand where they were coming from because if you understand the competition, Big Brother does not ask direct questions so I did change the way I asked but I still had limits.
BS: Did you have any input in terms of Big Brother's script or you just had to deliver the lines?
Kaunda: Now that would be telling…LOL
BS: Hmmm...my guess is that there was a script!
What did you think of this specific BB, because in my opinion it was one of the most boring ever!
Kaunda: I don’t think it was boring, the figures show an improvement on the first and second one in terms of viewer activity and I think the housemates were very interesting. I think some viewers just wanted more sex and drunken madness. I actually enjoyed it and especially because I was part of it.
BS: And got paid for it! Do you think they'll allow you to be Biggie again or is it just a once in a lifetime chance?
Kaunda: I am sure if I audition next time they might consider me, it all depends on what they are looking for in the next Big Brother. But I would do it again any day.
BS: The show is over now so what happens to Big Brother?
Kaunda: Well, the voice continues to be sold as usual and I will be out looking for a radio gig.
BS: Thank you so much for taking the time Biggie!!! Much appreciated.
Kaunda: You're welcome!
I may not have been in the Big Brother Africa house or Diary Room but got to talk to Big Brother.......and even took pictures with him! LOL
Me and Biggy at the BBA3 Finale