Ali the red witch: Big Brothers best housemate?
By Amanda Telfer
Human eye looking into lense by Arteum
Why Ali Has Been My Favourite Big Brother Housemate Ever
With Big Brother UK’s final taking place tomorrow, there’s one finalist that’s has had everybody talking. Thirty-eight-year-old forensic psychologist, Ali from Leicester has provided some of the most iconic moments of the series this year. From her close friendship with fellow housemate Lily, to the rise of the Red Witch, and then surviving eviction four times, that’s more than any other housemate.
Ali has truly “made” this series and has proved herself more than a worthy winner of the £90k prize. Ali has meant a lot to me as a housemate this year, as I’ve truly felt so represented by her, and for the first time I have felt completely seen by someone on TV.
1. Bringing Awareness to Neurodiversity in the Mainstream Media
Ali has spoken many times about her experiences as a neurodiverse person in the show. She has explained that she has been diagnosed with ADHD and is also on the autism spectrum: “A lot of my friends don’t know that I’m neurodivergent. I don’t talk about it, only to a couple of people because, if you’re ‘high functioning,’ if you tell people you’re neurodivergent, they tend to just tell you that you [aren’t].”
Ali also explained: “I’m diagnosed with ADHD, especially for women who have ADHD, there tends to be some autistic traits as well. So, I’m on the spectrum 100% for autism, so if I communicate oddly sometimes that might be a little bit why.” Ali has been such fantastic representation for neurodiversity, and her openness about her experiences as a neurodivergent person has helped many people including myself feel less alone with our experiences.
2. Being Incredible Lesbian Representation
Ali is a self-described late to life lesbian, and much like with her neurodiversity, she has spoken openly about her experiences. Ali explained lesbian terminology to fellow housemates Baked Potato (Rosie), Khaled and Emma. Here Ali described femme lesbians, butch lesbians and the history of the term stud within the black lesbian community.
She said: “Everyone always says to me ‘oh you don’t look like a lesbian’ blah, blah, blah,
“they expect lesbians to be masculine presenting, but I’m like they're just the ones you can see.”
Seeing this conversation on TV was so important for so many people, as lesbian terminology is something that is rarely spoken about. Seeing someone have open conversations about it is something that is so special for lesbian representation and the lesbian community.
3. Ali’s Honesty and Always Speaking Her Mind
Ali has always spoken her mind about the goings on in and outside of the house. During her time in the house, she has spoken up for her belief that everybody should be a feminist saying: “I don’t know that there’s an alternative position, and I think that any argument against this sentiment comes from a misunderstanding of what a feminist is.” She has also worn several t-shirts including one supporting Trans Rights and another supporting Palestine.
She’s also spoken her mind about the goings within the house and has called out Marcello’s misogynistic and vile comments repeatedly. Seeing someone stand up for what they believe is so important to watch. I love the fact that Ali is so open and honest about her opinions, both on matters inside and outside of the Big Brother house.
4. The Rise of the red witch
And finally, the red witch. During the biggest rule break of the series where several housemates were trying to plot to get Ali out, Segun called Ali “the red witch”. When this was revealed to the housemates, Ali took this new name on with pride, even dressing in an “ICONIC” red witch costume for Halloween.
She said: “They’re always, I think, looking for ways to get the Red Witch out.”
Ali taking on the title of the Red Witch has been incredible to watch, and her Halloween costume showed her ability to overcome adversity within the house.
Overall, Ali has easily been one of the best housemates Big Brother has seen in years as she has brought so much entertainment to the house this year, and has proved herself to be such a worthy winner of the £90k during tomorrow’s final.
Crown the Red Witch, Ali to win.