The decor at the premiere viewing party
This is it Big Brother uhdikts... another season with another crop of fame hungry wannabes on a mission to be sumbuddy, with loaded pockets.
Big Brother Titans launched in a surprisingly refreshing start on Sunday (15 January) with the arrival of the first 20 housemates who were more relaxed than the nervous wrecks from Big Brother Mzansi 3.
Yes, some bounced off the walls, but generally speaking they were calm and present.
We put it down to co-host Ebuka whose smiley, chilled energy seemed to rub off on everyone. He didn't even break a sweat when the camera stuck on him too long instead of cutting to the ad break.
Also, the housemates didn't have to strain to be seen because they weren't upstaged by endless musical acts which has happened too much in the past. The main focus was on them and they pulled it off.
Their VT introductions were fun and the vintage backdrop created a fitting sense of nostalgia because Big Brother's been around for so long now, it's vintage too.
Ultimately 20 people are now living a vintage life without their cellphones and we hear there are more coming. Date unconfirmed.
But first, there's a lot to know about the current crowd, including some sneaky insights from behind-the-scenes.
Here's a look at the housemates' profiles from the production, which includes some impressions from the show's panel of selectors - read closely and see:
Blaqboi
Age: 26
Location: Originally from Plateau State in Nigeria, now lives in Jos.
Occupation: Content creator, aspiring filmmaker.
Character: Charming, Authentic, Confident, Sense of humour, Colourful.
Blaqboi is unassuming, likeable and has an incredible personality.
He is cool, calm and level headed.
He is an atypical Northerner.
He is street smart, a great storyteller and is naturally funny.
Ebubu
Age: 28
Location: Originally from Anambra State in Nigeria, now in Lagos.
Occupation: Actor, model.
Character: Effortlessly funny, Awkward, Dynamic personality, Street smart, Resilient.
Ebubu comes from a very humble background. He's open minded and interested in the world around him and beyond.
He is a bit of a slow burner but once he warms up, his personality shines through.
He is very relatable and sweet.
He has faced rejection because of his albinism but that hasn’t broken him and he doesn’t lead
with sob stories.
Although calm, he can be obstinate.
Ipeleng
Age: 24
Location: Originally from the North West, now in the Gauteng province, South Africa.
Occupation: Law student.
Character: Sheltered, Naïve, Sense of Humour, Naughty but shy.
Ipeleng is very sheltered, quite naïve and innocent. Her parents are strict and overprotective.
She has a profound respect for her parents and never wants to disappoint them.
She’s afraid of boys because they break hearts. She has a free spirited side that is quite hidden, perhaps due to her conservative nature.
She has been described as a secretly budding baddie. She can be very goofy.
Jaypee
Age: 26
Location: Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Occupation: Nurse and model.
Character: Liberal, Open minded, Flirty
Jaypee has loads of confidence and loves to take risks.
She is liberated and has strong opinions.
She is a self confessed lover girl. She loves love.
She is very layered and has an inflated sense of self.
She gives off an air of superiority, which could be a mask of an inferiority complex.
She’s a guy’s girl and prefers the company of men over women.
Jenni O
Age: 24
Location: Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, now in the USA.
Occupation: Health and safety specialist.
Character: Spontaneous, Opinionated, Daredevil, Analytical, Spicy
Jenni O has a colourful personality.
She has no tolerance for anyone’s nonsense.
She demands what she gives and can be confrontational.
She is a smart mouth who can talk non-stop. Sometimes she speaks before thinking.
Juicy Jay
Age: 24
Location: Eastern Cape in South Africa.
Occupation: Semi pro rugby player.
Character: Charismatic, Energetic, Competitive, Possible Alpha.
Siya a.k.a Juicy Jay is the eldest child and his parents are separated.
High maintenance.
Although he has a certain level of discipline, he loves to mingle and party. He loves living on the edge.
He is a proudly Xhosa lad who will be relatable to all races.
He is very competitive.
Although he tends to be nonchalant, he can be emotional.
Justin
Age: 21
Location: East London, South Africa.
Occupation: Photographer.
Character: Easy going, Fun and Engaging, Open, Spicy.
Justin is different from all the others we have seen and is mature for his age.
He’s a “happy-go-lucky” type lad who loves to laugh.
He is the responsible friend in the group.
Equally, he gets irritated by the small things, like someone talking over him or someone leaving the door open when they found it closed.
He can also get explosive.
Kanaga Jnr
Age: 23
Location: Originally from Abia State in Nigeria, now in Lagos
Occupation: Model, aspiring actor.
Character: Fearless, Charming, Expressive, Candid.
He is a fairly mature and calm 23-year-old.
There is a boyish charm to him; a likeable character.
He is not optimistic but manages his cloudy perceptions and emotions.
He is sensitive about criticism and doesn’t like to be embarrassed.
He loves older women.
Khosi
Age: 25
Location: Originally from KwaZulu-Natal, she lives in Johannesburg South Africa
Occupation: Journalist.
Character: Very talkative, Open minded, Self aware, Adventurous.
Khosi is the chatty, bubbly girl with exaggerated make-up.
She is a drama queen and can be very impulsive.
Behind the bubbly persona is a girl who is emotional.
She’s currently in a relationship with a Nigerian man.
Lukay
Age: 31
Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Occupation: Sales executive.
Character: Vibrant, Well rounded and Traditionalist.
Lukay is self aware.
Brutally honest.
Empathetic.
He has moved to KZN and re-established his relationship with his parents.
Marvin
Age: 28
Location: Originally from Port Harcourt in Nigeria, now in Texas, USA.
Occupation: Chemical engineer/model.
Character: Charismatic, Engaging, Chatty, Adventurous, Layered, Sense of humour.
Marvin comes from very humble beginnings.
He’s protective of those he loves.
He is in love with himself and tends to humbly brag about being a cute boy with brains.
He is very well travelled and loves a good adventure.
Mmeli
Age: 24
Location: Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South. Africa
Occupation: Content creator, model.
Character: Confident, Playful, Street smart, Fearless.
Mmele is very layered, has a charm about him and a naughty streak.
He is very playful and enjoys partying.
He might have a bit of a temper but hides it well.
He doesn’t care much about what people think about him and has no qualms being the bad guy.
He is wary of getting into a relationship and is devoted to having a bachelor lifestyle
Nana
Age: 22
Location: Originally from Kaduna State, Nigeria
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Character: Timid, Softs poken, Strong willed, Risk Taker.
Nana does not conform to social and religious norms.
She has a complex about her background.
Although she presents as timid, she has a naughty side - a classic case of “still waters run
deep.”
She prefers having guy friends and doesn’t trust girls.
She can be impulsive.
Nelisa
Age: 25
Location: Originally from the Eastern Cape, now in Johannesburg, South Africa
Character: Confident, Spunky, Chatty, Very lively.
Nelisa is very lively and loves the sound of her voice.
She definitely has main character syndrome and loves to have a good time.
She is free spirited and tends to wear her heart on her sleeve.
She comes across as an attention seeker.
Olivia
Age: 22
Location: Originally from Imo State, Nigeria.
Occupation: Aspiring actor
Character: Bold, Daring, Gold digger vibes.
Is she downplaying how intelligent she is? If affirmative, why and to what end?
She's a glam girl whose self perception is different from how others see her – others being the panel.
Olivia has a wild side and possibly a life that she keeps well hidden. There's a touch of being
mysterious.
She’s either a big dreamer or one who is very economical with the truth.
Thabang
Age: 21
Location: Originally Soweto, now in Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Sports data analyst.
Character: Charming, Open, Expressive, Level headed, Small but mighty, A go-getter.
Thabang is a fairly mature 21-year-old and has a big voice.
He is a classic Gen Z who is in touch with his emotions.
Although he is very driven and focused, he loves to have fun like any average 21-year-old.
Tsatsii
Age: 24
Location: Pretoria, South Africa.
Occupation: Engineering, biotechnology, microbiology student.
Character: Goody two shoes, Intentional, Cerebral.
Tsatsii is a daddy’s girl.
She’s a beauty with brains.
She’s very cerebral and grounded yet equally curious about life.
She can be a know-it-all at times.
She’s a hopeless romantic and her live language is quality time.
Yaya
Age: 30
Location: Originally from the Eastern Cape, now in Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Plus size model.
Character: Talkative, Confident, Bold, Barbie.
Yaya is a Xhosa lass with a big personality.
She is quite mature and very layered.
She comes across as someone who has a lot to prove.
She is not afraid to be vulnerable.
Struggles with rejection.
Yemi Cregx
Age: 30
Location: originally from Ekiti State in Nigeria, now in Lagos.
Occupation: Model, actor
Character: Confident, Flirty, Outgoing.
Yemi Cregz is a highly competitive individual and does not like to lose.
He is fairly confident and has a stammer, although it is controlled.
He can be manipulative and has been accused of being a user.
He wears his heart on his sleeve.
He does not have much empathy for others.
Yvonne
Age: 28
Location: Originally from Akwa Ibom State, now in Lagos, Nigeria
Occupation: Model, content creator.
Character: Nonchalant, Bold, Vengeful, Resilient, Emotional.
Yvonne is a pastor’s kid who loves the soft life.
She can be both soft and kind, yet equally cold.
She can be aggressive and impulsive at times.
She has a bit of a temper and is trying to manage her anger better.
She’s a pretty girl who knows how to make it work for her.