Big Brother Viewers Heap Praise On Housemate Zelah Over 'Insightful' Conversations On Trans Issues

Big Brother housemate Zelah Glasson has become an early favourite among many viewersBig Brother fans are showing their support for new housemate Zelah Glasson, after he opened up to some of his fellow contestants about his gender identity in the latest episode of the reality show.Zelah – a personal trainer and fitness influencer – was one of 12 people who entered the Big Brother house during Sunday’s live show.During his introduction VT, he shared that he is transgender, but said on his first night in the house he did not want to disclose this to the rest of the group until he was more comfortable with them.“I don’t really want to mention my transition, just for the first bit,” he said in the Diary Room. “I mean, naturally, that conversation will come up because… if you ask me about my school experience, I went to an all-girls school, if you ask me about the personal training business that I’m trying to build, it’s centred towards trans people and women, it’ll naturally come up.“But for now, I’m making a conscious decision to not bring it up for a bit, and let people make their first impressions of me outside of my gender identity. Although, I am aware, that I have quite big scars on my chest, and there is a hot tub.”Zelah then admitted: “I did find myself – probably for the first time ever – feeling a bit self-conscious about my scars, because I know that I haven’t told anyone [about being trans] and they’re very prominent. I did find myself feeling a bit weird in that situation, which is definitely something I’ve never encountered before, because I’m pretty proud of my scars usually, and pretty chill with showing them.”Zelah and his support teddy 🥹 #bbukpic.twitter.com/512nO2fPBI— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) September 29, 2025The following day, Zelah began speaking more about his experience as a trans man, first to Sam and later to Cameron and newcomer Feyisola.Early on in Tuesday’s episode, Zelah told Sam: “When I was six years old, if you looked at me then, and looked at me now, you’d think I went [straight from] A to B. I looked like a little version of me now, I had the skin fade and everything.“I was still bullied for being a man in school. There’s always something. And then, when I realised I was queer around 15, things started to get better because I started to be a bit more masculine [but as] time went on, I eventually started to realise, ‘I don’t see myself getting old in this body, no matter how masculine I am as a woman, it’s never going to quite be satisfying’. The biggest thing for me is that I couldn’t picture myself getting old [without transitioning].”On the current climate for trans people, Zelah admitted: “It’s scary, it feels like all that progress is just back-rolling.”He then shared that his biggest “issues with bathrooms” occurred before he transitioned, revealing he “once got dragged downstairs by two bouncers in a club” for using a women’s bathroom, claiming he had to “quickly lift up my shirt to show them my sports bra”.“It’s crazy how people living their lives bothers other people so much,” he added.This is why queer friendships are so important 🥹 #bbukpic.twitter.com/YlGFZzTwdA— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) September 30, 2025Zelah then elaborated more on this during a conversation with Feyisola and Cameron in the garden, in which they discussed the importance of trans-inclusion in conversations about feminism.During the chat, Feyisola revealed that, as a Black woman with a shaved head, she has felt discriminated against based on the way she presents her own gender identity for not conforming to certain expectations.After the episode aired, Big Brother fans heaped praise on the show for including these conversations in the episode, particularly in light of the current political climate for trans people:That conversation between Zelah and Feyisola was so gorgeous. It was nice to watch Cameron be involved in it and hear the topic of feminism being discussed #BBUK— Ryan Love (@RyanJL) September 30, 2025These kind of conversations on TV in the current climate feel very special and important - exactly what I hope for from Big Brother #BBUKhttps://t.co/apb7XNrjoy— Ryan Love (@RyanJL) September 30, 2025Zelah, Feyisola and Cameron gave us one of the most important conversations on feminism and transphobia I’ve seen on TV in years. Proud that #BBUK can still create moments that truly matter. @bbuk— Kevsie (@Kevsie) September 30, 2025That conversation between Zelah, Feyisola and Cameron about feminism and transphobia should be broadcast across all news channels and social media outlets immediately. The types of conversations Big Brother is made for #BBUK— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) September 30, 2025"Just trying to pee, girl. Literally."Insightful conversation between Big Brother's Zelah and Sam. #BBUKhttps://t.co/BVxdZ9nGEE— Lorna_TVeditor (@Lorna_TVeditor) October 1, 2025If your feminism is anti trans then it isn’t actually feminism is so true. I love everything Zelah has to say and I’m glad Cameron asked the question that led to that 👏🏾 #BBUKpic.twitter.com/YxRijpaVF2— mindi 🐝🇹🇿 (@mindironalia) September 30, 2025Zelah saying he couldnt picture himself getting old is so real i fully was convinced that some plan set out for me was to die young cos i couldnt imagine being older as a girl and now i can see my self as an old man, i can see a future that has me in it https://t.co/dTK6WF8Vnv— Mars(hall)🏳️⚧ #teamcrumpets (@Mars_Marshall1) September 30, 2025We need Zelah to stay. He’s bringing such important topics to light and making it a discussion. He is the exact housemate we need for this reason and if he leaves on Friday I will throw an air fryer at the house #BigBrother#BBUKpic.twitter.com/20mvJezMIR— lxuistxmlinsxn28◟̽◞̽ (@wallslouis28x) September 30, 2025Zelah clocking all transphobes oh I love him #bbuk— Dan (@danthegunner46) September 30, 2025Since premiering in 2000, Big Brother has crowned two transgender winners, Nadia Almada in 2004 and Luke Anderson in 2011.Zelah is the second trans housemate to be featured since the show moved to ITV in 2023, after Hallie Clarke took part in the reboot’s first season.Big Brother airs nightly on ITV2 at 9pm.Help and support: The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UKMORE BIG BROTHER:How Big Brother Brought Queer Culture To The Nation's Living RoomsThe New Big Brother Housemates Include This Controversial Right-Wing CommentatorSo THAT's What A Successful Big Brother UK Audition Tape Looks Like

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