The much anticipated Big Brother Naija reality show has returned once more to our TV screens for its 9th season on Sunday, July 28. This season (like pretty much the others before it) came with a surprising twist to it from the get go, with the primary aim to entertain the audience.
However, have you, as the targeted audience, ever wondered how going into the Big Brother Naija house impacts the housemate? Obviously, there would be lifestyle changes and adaptations but how much adjustments do these housemates make for it?
We’ve all seen from the previous seasons how tense and emotional the Big Brother Naija can get for the housemates as the days go by. Their decisions, gameplays and strategies can sometimes be attributed to the high emotions during their time at the house.
How exactly does this happen though?
1. Constant Surveillance:
Everybody (housemates and viewers alike) knows that nothing is hidden and everything is fair game under Big Brother’s watchful eyes or camera but the housemates don’t fully understand this until they experience this firsthand.
Housemates live under 24/7 surveillance, with cameras capturing their every move. Privacy becomes a luxury, and even personal conversations are broadcast to the viewers. This can make it hard to form authentic personal bonds as nobody wants their embarrassing side to the cameras that are constantly monitoring them.
2. Isolation from the Outside World:
Most people are addicted to their phones nowadays –that’s where the younger generation get their information from– so imagine not having access to your device for the 71 days it’ll take the Big Brother season to end. Brutal right? The lack of an electronic gadget coupled with being cut off from family, friends, and the internet can be mentally and emotionally challenging. The Housemates have to figure out how to adapt to this sudden isolation by themselves.
3. Intense Competition:
The Housemates are constantly reminded that they are in the Big Brother show for a reason: to perform, win tasks and avoid eviction while still forming strategic relationships that will help them navigate their new lives in the House. The competitive environment can lead to stress, anxiety, emotional outbursts and sleepless nights.
4. Limited Resources:
For their entire stay at the Big Brother House, Housemates are compelled to share food, toiletries and even spaces. Some of the conflicts from the previous seasons have stemmed from this factor.
5. Routine Changes:
The Housemates adapt to a new daily routine dictated by tasks, challenges, and weekly nominations. For some, sleep patterns are affected due to late-night conversations with fellow housemates, cooking and sometimes, tasks too.
6. Public Perception:
Being aware that you’re being scrutinised and assed by millions of viewers can make some Housemates change their normal behaviour and affect new behaviours that they think would be endearing to their fans.
Takeaways
- Staying at the House can be an emotionally roller coasters for the Housemates. Emotions can range from joy, frustration, love and conflict which is expected for humans kept in confined space. In addition, stress, homesickness, and petty conflicts can lead to emotional breakdowns for the Housemates which makes for interesting narratives for the viewers.
- Also, relationships are easily strained in the House due to secrets, petty arguments, and personal discussions blowing up and becoming public discourse. All these scenarios intensify and lead to quick dissolutions and formations of alliances and friendships.
