Reality TV veteran Omarosa Manigault Newman is returning to the Big Brother franchise and joining the cast of Australia’s Big Brother VIP, People Magazine reported on Thursday.
The 47-year-old former advisor to President Donald Trump is ‘expected’ to clash with fellow Big Brother VIP competitor and current California gubernatorial candidate, Caitlyn Jenner, over LGBTQ issues, the outlet added.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed this week that model and actress Ellie Gonsalves will also join the cast of the the Channel Seven reality show alongside Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power.
She’s back! Reality TV veteran Omarosa Manigault Newman is returning to the Big Brother franchise and joining the cast of Australia’s Big Brother VIP, People Magazine reported on Thursday (seen in 2019)
‘Omarosa and Caitlyn are expected to go head-to-head, especially about LGBTQ+ issues,’ a source told People.
‘They’re the two highest paid on the upcoming season,’ they added.
The insider revealed that Omarosa is making $AUD 450,000 (approximately $333K in US dollars) and Caitlyn is being paid a touch more, taking in $AUD 500,000 (approximately $370K in US dollars).
This will be Omarosa’s second stint on Big Brother. She competed on the first season of Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 following her short-lived career as a senior presidential advisor to Donald Trump.
‘Omarosa and Caitlyn are expected to go head-to-head, especially about LGBTQ+ issues,’ a source told People.
She came in fifth place on Celebrity Big Brother which was won that year by actress Marissa Jaret Winokur.
A reality television mainstay, Omarosa first became a household name during season one of Donald Trump’s Apprentice in 2004 where her bristly personality in the boardroom made waves on the show.
Despite her success cementing herself in the public zeitgeist, the business woman only made it to week nine before Trump ‘fired’ her.
She went on to compete in the first season of the Celebrity Apprentice in 2008 and later partnered with former President Trump on a dating competition series where men vied for her affections called The Ultimate Merger.
Big Brother: This will be Omarosa’s second stint on Big Brother. She competed on the first season of Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 following her short-lived career as a senior presidential advisor to Donald Trump
Omarosa will join the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power for Australia’s Big Brother VIP in a newly built Sydney complex.
Other rumoured housemates include retired athlete Matt Shirvington, TV presenter James Tobin, comedian Josh Thomas and former Hi-5 star Charli Robinson.
In April, a network insider told Woman’s Day producers had their sights set on several big names, including Home and Away’s Lincoln Younes and radio star Ash Pollard.
Big Brother VIP is the second celebrity-themed Big Brother format to air in Australia, after a first season was made back in 2002.
Cameras rolling: Omarosa will join the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power for Australia’s Big Brother VIP in a newly built Sydney complex
The new set is currently being constructed despite the ban on building works in Sydney, after the producers were granted special permission.
Cast mate Caitlyn Jenner is facing scrutiny for campaigning for Governor of California from her hotel quarantine in Australia ahead of filming the reality series.
The Republican candidate, 71, is halfway through her two-week stint in lockdown in order to participate in the series, despite the recall election being less than two months away.
She defended her decision to fly to Sydney for a TV commitment, telling Fox News on Sunday that ‘[un]like most politicians, I actually honor my contract.’
Already creating drama: Cast mate Caitlyn Jenner is facing scrutiny for campaigning for Governor of California from her hotel quarantine in Australia ahead of filming the reality series
Many Americans are confused why she would be running for office from overseas as the recall campaign reaches its stretch run.
And Aussies are angry that a spot in hotel quarantine has been given to a foreign celebrity while 30,000 Australians remain stranded overseas due to border closures
Still, she defended her choice: ‘I have had this on the books, this show that I’m doing down here in Australia, for months and months.’
Big Brother VIP will air on Seven in Australia later this year with Sonia Kruger is returning as host.
Coming soon: Big Brother VIP will air on Seven in Australia later this year with Sonia Kruger is returning as host