While viewers have watched alliances form and tensions simmer inside the Big Brother house, evicted housemate Pheobe has confirmed there was a very real “great divide” brewing behind the scenes — and she believes one contestant was at the centre of it all.
Speaking exclusively to Chattr following her eviction, Pheobe opened up about the fractured house dynamics, revealing she saw herself as the neutral “Switzerland” caught between opposing groups.
She also didn’t hold back when discussing Matthew’s role in the conflict, claiming he fuelled the divide and left some housemates feeling like they were “walking on eggshells” around him.
Pheobe says there’s a ‘great divide’ in the house
While viewers have debated whether Ebony, Matthew and Austin formed a “mean group” inside the house, Pheobe said she never felt like she belonged to any particular alliance.
“I was kind of a neutral ground in the house,” she explained.
“I was definitely a bit of a floater, more of an observer. I was Switzerland.”
Pheobe said she preferred to understand everyone’s perspective before making judgments.
“I really need to understand everyone,” she said.
Pheobe didn’t just confirm there was a split in the house — she suggested her presence was one of the few things keeping tensions from escalating.
“There was already a great divide happening, and now there’s no Switzerland to go, ‘Guys, maybe listen to each other, please’.”
Pheobe blames one person for the divide
Pheobe said she believes Matthew is largely responsible for the house becoming so divided.
When asked if Matthew should be evicted to restore harmony, she responded: “I think so!”
“I think the great divide is mainly caused by him. Maybe he needs a little fire under his bum to realise that he needs to maybe be a bit brighter and a bit happier and a bit understanding of everyone,” she added.
She went on to say he dominates the social dynamics inside the house.
“He definitely loves the attention. He loves to command a room and command a space,” she continued.
According to Pheobe, this created an environment where other contestants struggled to challenge him.
“It can be a bit hard at times because you feel like you’re walking on eggshells… if you tell him how you’re feeling, he’ll get defensive,” she continued.
She even suggested the house dynamics would improve if Matthew was evicted.
“Maybe he needs a little fire under his bum to realise that he needs to be a bit brighter and happier and more understanding of everyone,” she added.
While Pheobe acknowledged Ebony and Matthew are very close, she admitted she intentionally kept her distance from him.
“I don’t necessarily associate with Matthew all that much, if I’m being honest,” she continued.
She also revealed she has no idea what goes on between Matthew and Ebony because they’re usually off together.
“I leave them to their bed. They all just hang out in the bedroom and have their chats,” she said.
That also reinforces the perception that there’s a tight inner circle operating separately from the rest of the house.
When asked who she’d stay friends with after the show, Pheobe had one particularly telling response.
While she said she’d remain close with most of the cast, she singled out “the Matthews” as people she probably wouldn’t spend time with outside the house.
“They’re not my type of people,” she shared.
She quickly clarified she still respects them, but admitted they simply aren’t “my people”.
Big Brother airs 7:30pm weeknights and 7pm Sundays on 10, with the live stream available via 10 Play.
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