Ali

Ali

Age: 38

From: London, originally from Leicester

Occupation: Forensic Psychologist

Why did you apply to be on this new series of Big Brother?

There are a few different reasons. The main one being that I wanted to do something really exciting and something I can talk about for years to come. I want to meet new people and have an amazing experience and do something really different.


What do you think you’ll bring to the house?

I hope that I will bring humour, friendship – I’m quite understanding and caring. I would also be someone that people confide in and come to for advice. That always happens to me – when I tell people that I’m a psychologist.


What are you looking forward to the most about being a housemate?

Just being away and thrown into a totally new environment, completely different to anything I’ve done before, completely different to anything I’ll ever do in the future. Something that maybe I would never have thought I would do. I’m really intrigued about who else might be in the house – I’m so nosy.


Do you have a strategy for making it to the final?

My strategy is to be myself. I’m not going in with any thoughts about playing a particular role, or character. I’m going to be myself. My strategy would be getting to know people in the house and trying to make friends. The main way to keep yourself safe seems to be not getting internal votes so you’re not put up for eviction in the first place. Hopefully getting people on side and being liked. But not to the detriment of sacrificing who I am or my self-respect.

What are you most likely to get nominated for?

I think I will say my opinion out of turn, and it will rub someone up the wrong way. If someone does something I think maybe isn’t kind, or could have been a bit better thought through, I have this thing where I tend to tell people. I can be quite direct. And it doesn’t always land well – that could well get me nominated. I also suspect that people might be a little suspicious of me because I’m a psychologist. I think they’ll think I have some magic power to play the game, and they’ll perceive me as a game player. Unfortunately, I don’t have any mind reading skills.


Tell us one thing about yourself you think will surprise people the most.

I think the fact that I’m a forensic psychologist will surprise people. It’s not your everyday, typical 9-5 office job. It’s quite difficult, it’s quite demanding and I work in highly stressful situations. But I’m quite chilled and probably don’t look like the sort of person who can hold my own – in a prison for example.


Who would be your dream celebrity to live with?

I really like Chrishell Stause from Selling Sunset. I think she’s really funny and cool. And I’d like to hear from her perspective about being on a TV show – because it’s so crazy and it’s so wild compared to anything we do in the UK.

What would you do with the money if you won?

That I’m not sure. I always have these little plans that I want to invest in. But I flit from one to the other. I would love to have the resource to make a difference or bring awareness to things that I’m passionate about – particularly in terms of advocating for mental health. But I don’t have any fully thought-out ideas. I would also give some money to my sister because she needs a break.