Big Brother Craze

Here’s the first of the little surprises I have in store for you all! Alex was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions for me about his time in the Big Brother House - he was the last to get his questions and the first to get them answered, actually. So without further ado, here’s the Big Brother Craze interview with Alex Coladonato. Enjoy!

(PS - remember, if you get a high load warning, try again in a minute or two. It’s been getting better, but it’s not perfect yet.)

I ask that you do not take the liberty of copying and pasting this interview elsewhere. You may link to it using the direct url: http://www.bigbrothercraze.com/an-interview-with-alex-of-bb9

BBC: Let’s start at the beginning! How many times have you tried out for Big Brother? What did the casting process involve for you? And, of course, what advice would you give those currently trying out for the summer season, BB10?

Alex: BB9 was my first audition for Big Brother and I was lucky enough to be the person they were looking for and get selected. I cannot talk about the casting process but I will tell you it was long - LOL. Finally, for the people trying out for the summer season, good luck. Go as yourself and look good. They know what they want when they are interviewing, be that person, the saying that I’ll leave you with is, “Hey, ya never know!”

BBC: How much of a fan of Big Brother were you prior to auditioning? How much of the previous seasons did you watch/re-watch to help prepare you before entering the house? I believe I’ve read that your best friend (Johnny?) auditioned too, and helped you prepare - true?

Alex: I watched the first 2 seasons of big brother and then didn’t watch again until all-stars and season 8. I watched almost all the seasons to see different type of ways to play the game but of course played the way I wanted to when getting into the house - if I did. My best friend Johnny also auditioned, he is the reason why I made it. I was only going for him and I was picked the first day I was seen and went through the process hoping to get through every round after that.

BBC: How was your reception when you got home - friends, family, work, fans? Have you been able to catch up on the show since leaving?

Alex: My reception was amazing. My mother ran to me and gave me the biggest hug and said how proud she was of me for being the person you are and that’s why your the best. I then went home to a house of like 20 people looking to ask me everything and anything. I then spent Easter Sunday with my family, and Sunday night left to go to Aruba for a week. Came home and had an awesome welcome back party with family and friends from all over and had a blast. Happy to be home, but missed the house.

BBC: Many previous houseguests feel like they’re not accurately portrayed by CBS on the network shows - there’s many a discussion about getting a ‘good edit’ vs. a ‘bad edit’. How do you feel you were portrayed on the show? And naturally - do you think they’re portraying the other houseguests fairly?

Alex: Its CBS, LOL. There is nothing we can do. I don’t really care how CBS portrays me to be honest, because I know I didn’t change the person that I am on the show. So maybe that’s why they had the twist because they didn’t like my style of play or knew I was going to win, who know, LOL. People who watch the live feeds and Show Time know the real me, I haven’t watched the show yet to see how the really portrayed me, that will come in time.

BBC:Could you describe each of the houseguests for us - both as you knew them in the house, and any changing opinions since your eviction as you watch the show and hear of the house happenings? Many interviewers say ‘in one word’ but clearly I’m as verbose as they come, so go as in depth as you like for each of them.

Alex:
Jacob - If he kept his mouth shut he would possibly be in the house, outside of the house, really don’t know much about him, not much on him, I guess.

Sharon - Sharon in the house was a sweet heart, voice was annoying at times but I got over it because she was a sweet person at heart. Sharon will hopefully be a good friend of mine when the show is over.

Neil - I would have been worried with Neil in the house because just in the first few days of being with him, it seemed as if he wasn’t a fan of mine. I think he would have been a great player. It is unfortunate that he had to leave unexpectedly.

Ryan - He is still in the game so he’s doing well. We really didn’t talk much. Only when we worked out played horse or pool. I think he was against me because of Jen having a liking to me. He might have a problem when he gets out because of the racist thing but who knows. He’s not a bad guy, I’m sure, out of the house.

Jen - Love her, but her bringing out the bf in the house thing kinda ruined her game. Outside of the house we are great friends, probably BS-ing with each other couple times a week.

Allison - Was a manipulative, but then again very smart player during my time in the house. She was fake it seemed, and it showed. That’s why she left right after my eviction. Outside of the house I do not talk to her and probably wont until the finale. Her outside gambling thing is a shocker, but maybe that’s why she wanted to keep matt because he would’ve out all his money on black, where I was going to donate some to different foundations.

Parker - He was a great guy but f’d up his own game by letting the cat out when he told us about Jen. He shouldn’t of, but nothing anyone can do now. It was my mistake not taking him off as well as putting him on. It ruined my game, because I was part of the reason why he went home. Our alliance got weaker since he left. Outside the house, we talk here and there when we hear something on the show that is either so false or so funny. We’re a bunch of goof balls.

Amanda - Well we all know how I felt about this one. We know we had our ups and downs, but I wasn’t going to let her make a fool of me on national T.V., so when I though something was up, I let it out and it was obviously true. Now that the show is over, I still feel I didn’t have the chance I’d like to play because of the couple game, but so did everyone else. I’m not bitter towards Amanda or anyone else is the house. I’m sure she is a great girl, but we are definitely not soul mates. Outside of the house we do interviews and talk here and there.

Joshuah - Joshuah had his moments in the house but I’m sure outside of the house id talk to him. He was very rude towards women, but never towards any guy. I mean maybe he’s scared of guys and feels he over powers women, or because he is like a women its ok to speak to them the way he did, even though it’s wrong.

Matt - Matty was a cool guy to hang out with and enjoyed my time with him in the house. It didn’t work out how we planned. Outside of the house I’m sure me and Matty will be hanging out often.

Natalie - Natalie was a weirdo and didn’t care if people would abuse her right to her face. She has a huge heart and probably is the nicest person in that house. She’s still on so I wish only the best for her.

Adam - Baller might be one of the funniest guys in the world and not know what the hell he is talking about or saying. He is kind and definitely a great guy to hang out with. I hope he wins the money.

Sheila - She is a sweet woman but at times is very lost in knowledge. I don’t know what it is but at times she was always asking questions about everything. She is still in the game and I wish her the best. If Adam doesn’t win, I’d like to see her win. When I see her I have some info to tell her that I can’t tell the world -LOL, but she will be surprised that’s for sure, and I have to thank her for all the kind things she has been saying since I have been out of the house.

James- James is a good player and that’s what has kept him in the house. I mean I don’t know how the house voted a person back who they just voted out 5-1 but that’s ok. He played a great game but seems as if he is going to the jury house as well tomorrow so good luck to him. I probably wouldn’t talk to James outside of the house, he’s not someone I’d hang out with, but I mean I’m sure we will talk.

Chelsia - She is probably the only person in the house who I just didn’t like from the get go. There was just something about her that just made me wanna flip out on her at times but never did. She played a smart game as well, but she isn’t getting the money either, so I am happy about that. Maybe she is a great person outside of the house and Ill be able to get to know the real Chelsia, but inside I didn’t like her at all.

BBC: What was your strategy going into the game?

Alex:It was to build something. I’ll leave it at that. Ya never know, I might be able to go on all-stars. Can’t give all my secrets out. LOL.

BBC: The Partners - tell us a bit about your thought process when you found out about the partners, and what you thought about being paired up with Amanda? How did this change your strategy?

Alex: My strategy I had to throw in the trash because this was something completely different then any other season. Amanda I thought would be a good partner, but she gave up in every comp that we were in ‘cept for when we were on the block, and HOH.

BBC: It was no secret to us, or the other houseguests, that you and Amanda didn’t get along. What brought on the friction between you two? Was there anything, in retrospect, you wish you had done to help you and Amanda pull back together as a team?

Alex: We didn’t get along because I wasn’t the right guy for what she wants in life and it made us bump heads. We are very alike in some ways. She craves attention and I’m not the guy who is going to ask her 100 questions or want to listen to her all day, its just not me. I tried to make it work until I figured she was doing stuff behind my back with Parker.

BBC: I’m sure you knew it was coming - the big ‘did he or didn’t he’. There are two sides to every story, and many of us cringed to watch the way Amanda went after you with the ‘touching’ incident. It came across as a character assassination that was painful to watch. Care to clear the air and get your side of the ordeal out there? Do you have any regrets for the way you handled the situation - what was said/done/told/inferred/ignored?

Alex: Listen, I’m a guy and you saw what she looked like all day, what she was wearing and even at times how she would be laying in bed ya know. We were good for the first couple of days in the house and yes did I try to make a move yes, but nothing else. Amanda has told me she never said rape, so I’ll believe her, but i never even came close to doing anything wrong, so that’s why I flipped out and wouldn’t sleep near her or wanted to. Like I said on TV, it could portray me as something else and that was completely wrong of her if she had made such a false statement. I have no regrets.

BBC: You were very vocal about hating the way Amanda dressed, though she certainly wasn’t the only one with… um.. interesting… clothing choices. (Natalie, for instance.) As a mom, I could see where you were coming from - but here’s my question: Did you judge Amanda on the way she dressed, expecting her to be more provocative/coy, vs. the Modesty she often portrayed? Should the manner in dress be considered when deciphering their personality, habits or character traits - is it fair to do so, is it something automatically wired into people to do?

Alex: She played 2 roles, and it was mind boggling I guess. She would wear the skimpiest outfits and most revealing clothes and then would talk about how she is an angel, and things like that. I guess just don’t judge a book by its cover. I don’t care what other people wear in the house, there not my responsibility since we were playing as couples.

BBC: Let’s talk about Sharon. Sure, it seems out of the blue, but we all watched that Pool party, and it seemed there were sparks there - yes, no, maybe so, after the show? And Sharon wasn’t the only one affected - seems Sheila has developed quite a crush on you too… what do you have to say to that?

Alex: Sharon was a great time that night in the pool. She’s a great kisser and It was a month of just game play and that was just a good time. No nothing will come out of that after the show I promise that. She is a sweet girl and I know we will be good friends after the show. Sheila is a sweetheart and I cant wait to give her the biggest hug at the finale because she has said such great things about me, and I’m happy I affected one person in the house like I did to so many of my fans.

BBC: The night the whole house blew up on Amanda - you handled it really well, trying to be a peacekeeper as well as get Amanda to understand where they were coming from. How much do you think that situation, and Amanda in particular hurt you game?

Alex: I knew I was going home after that night. People can forgive but they don’t forget. I got a feeling in me and I knew I was going home the next week.

BBC: The week you were evicted, you made a pact not to campaign against Matt and Natalie. Matt sort of held up his part - by having Natalie do it all for him. Do you regret sitting back and letting it play out, instead of making the rounds to try and stay?

Alex: Yes I do, but I am a man of my word and will not go against it. It hurt me but nothing I can do.

BBC: When were you told you might get a chance to go back into the house - and how honest were they about it being a CHANCE that was ultimately left up to the houseguests? How surprised were you when they decided to vote back in the “Devil they knew”? If you had made it back inside, what would have been your first order of business as a single houseguest playing for yourself?

Alex: Playing for myself I’d want to win head of household right after if I came out of the box. Then I’d be going after Chelsia, because then James would have been out. I was told that I’d have a chance to come back into the house. When - I was never told until I was filmed, obviously. I cant talk about other things, I am sorry. James got lucky and he kept himself in as long as he could. They were going after him every day, it was no surprise, and he did really good, just not good enough.

BBC: Of the remaining houseguests, who are you hoping pulls out the win, and why?

Alex: I want Adam to win, He should have gone home week one and didn’t, so I think he is playing great, winning HOH and staying low.

BBC: And the biggest question of them all to wrap us up: Would you do it again? What, if anything, would you do differently?

Alex: Absolutely. I wouldn’t change much but if I am ever up on the block, I’m saving myself.

BBC: OH! And I forgot this one - we’ll call it an extra credit question! How was your weekend with Daniele and did the sparks fly there? Details man, your fans want to know!

Alex: It’s this weekend! LOL. I let cha know, no (extra) credit - ohhhhhh mannnnnn!

~~~

Thank so much for talking with us, Alex! If anyone has any follow-up questions for him, please leave a comment and I’ll be sure to get them to Alex and get answers ASAP. In the meantime, take a gander at his auctions on Ebay - 15% of the proceeds from his auctions go to his father’s 9/11 foundation, the Anthony Coladonato Sept. 11th Scholarship Fund.