Big Brother: Zak dubs Hallie ‘powerful’ and ‘inspiring’ for coming out as trans on-screen
Exclusive: “She's an amazing girl,” Zak shared
Big Brother’s latest evicted housemate Zak has opened up on the conversations he had with fellow contestant Hallie after she came out as trans on the programme.
Hallie, 18, is the youngest contestant on the revived series of the beloved reality show, which began airing earlier this month on ITV2.
She initially decided not to tell her housemates about her trans identity when she entered the house, but soon had a change of heart.
Hallie told the rest of the house on day two: “Hey guys, I just have something to say. Yesterday I feel like I wasn’t being 100% authentic in myself.
“She’s an amazing girl and I salute her for coming on a show like this” – Zak
“I thought I’d let everyone know I’m trans, if you didn’t know already. I just thought I’d make that loud and clear. I’m a trans woman if you didn’t know.”
After being met with a load of love from her housemates and viewers alike, Zak has recalled the moment himself after leaving the house during last week’s eviction.
He told Attitude: “No one treated [Hallie] differently. I just thought, ‘Wow, what a powerful young lady coming on a big show like this, at such a young age and admitting that to the whole world who’s watching you. What an incredible woman.
“Every single day, I said, ‘Listen, Hallie, you don’t realise how strong you are, how independent you are and how brave you are.
“’You’re so inspiring to all these people. Make sure you use this platform. Don’t do anything stupid, but at the same time, have fun with it and just be yourself and enjoy the experience’.”
He recalled telling the teen how “inspiring” she was coming out “at such a young age” in front of millions of viewers.
Zak added of Hallie: “Fair play to her, like I said to her every single day, ‘you’re brave and powerful, tell the world how amazing you are’.
“She’s an amazing girl and I salute her for coming on a show like this and opening up about who she is.”
Hallie is not the first trans contestant to enter the famous Big Brother house. Nadia Ahmada won the show back in 2004.
Elsewhere, trans man Luke Anderson took the win nearly a decade later, in 2012.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.