Big Brother Australia 2025 is only in its first week, and already issues including gender inequality, racism and prejudice have been raised among the housemates.
Big Brother Australia is unique in the sense that contestants are encouraged to talk about challenging topics, unlike other reality shows, which skim over the deeper moments and focus on drama and romance.
In an interview with Chattr, Big Brother Australia 2025 narrator Mike Goldman — who was part of the show from its launch in 2001 to 2008 and returned in 2022 — said that its willingness to tackle sensitive topics is what makes Big Brother so powerful.
“I think it’s important to address it in so many different areas of society, because if we can’t have these conversations, then people will go off in their own little groups and say stupid things that are just completely untrue and believe it, and just end up hating the other people who have a different opinion,” he said.
Mike explained that bringing together people who might never cross paths in the outside world allows them to see things from new perspectives.
“They can talk about things, they can find a middle ground, and they can understand each other,” he said.
Mike Goldman weighs in on Michael, Bruce and Mia’s gender role discussion
The Big Brother narrator used an example of Michael, Bruce and Mia, when Mia tried to get the men to understand that gender inequality still exists.
“There’s a tradie and a guy who owns a couple of men’s magazines. Couldn’t get more blokey than that. And here’s a woman of colour. Just for her to get in there and fight for women and say, ‘Can you guys just listen for a second and just sort of understand what it’s like for me in my life. It’s a really different world for me. I just want you to just listen and understand me.’ And I think it’s great to see those conversations.”
Mike added that after Michael has rubbed a lot of viewers and contestants the wrong way, and pointed out that a platform like Big Brother might help him reevaluate some of his views.
“Maybe it will make him go, ‘Hang on a minute. Okay, I’m in this house full of people, different walks of life. Some I agree with, some I don’t.’
“Maybe it’ll make him go a little bit insular and just have a little look at himself and question his own thoughts and feelings towards certain people of different sexes, races, jobs and all that kind of thing, just sort of understand their point of view with a bit of empathy.”
Big Brother Australia 2025 airs Monday to Friday at 7.30pm, and Sundays at 7pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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