The sixth season of Africa’s biggest reality show blasted off with a bang on Sunday night (1 May at 19:00 CAT) on DStv Channel 198 – M-Net’s Big Brother Amplified is live, 24/7, for the next 91 days!
Featuring 26 contestants – some, well-known faces from music and TV across the continent and others, unknowns (until tonight!) – as well as an unforgettable performance from international hip hop icon Busta Rhymes, the opening show set the tone for what is set to be the biggest season of Big Brother yet! After an all-signing, all-dancing start to the show from the Amplified Crew and a pumping performance from South African rockers BLKJKS, IK gave viewers a sneak peak at the redesigned Big Brother Amplified house.
Then it was time to meet the Housemates, with IK bringing them out on stage one-by-one for a quick chat. Big Brother Amplified fans had been given a sneak peak at 14 Housemates on the website earlier in the week – but IK kept the surprises rolling by bringing out an additional 12 Housemates! Professional model Vimbai (Zimbabwe) was the first Housemate to be introduced, followed by Public Relations consultant Ernest (Uganda); Singer and student Hanni (Ethiopia); Radio DJ Mumba (Zambia); Journalism & Film graduate Peo – Miss P (Botswana) and Professional Hairdresser Michael (Mozambique).
Radio Presenter Vina (Nigeria) was added to the mix next, along with TV Presenter Lotus (Tanzania); TV Producer Nic (Kenya); Admin Clerk Bernadina (Namibia); TV Presenter Weza (Angola); Actor and Acting Coach Luclay (South Africa); musician and artist Sharon (Uganda); Purchaser Felica (Malawi); Professional Rapper Zeus (Botswana) and Beautician Kim (Zambia). Then came Actress Millicent (Kenya); TV Intern Nkuli (South Africa); Nightclub owner Confidence (Ghana); Recording Artist and Marketing Manager Jossy Jos (Namibia) and TV Presenter Bhoke (Tanzania). Rounding out the Amplified 26 were self employed Danny (Ethiopia); Pilot Wendall (Zimbabwe); model Karen (Nigeria); Radio DJ Lomwe (Malawi) and Fashion Designer Alex (Ghana). With 26 massive personalities – and some serious attitude - in the house, Big Brother Amplified is going to rock!
Speaking of rocking, hip hop icon Busta Rhymes nearly blew the roof off the Big Brother Amplified studio as he took to the stage to perform his massive hits, “Break Ya Neck” and “Look at Me Now”. Housemates and audience alike were bouncing around as the legend himself ripped up the stage. IK welcomed him to the stage – and back to Africa – by giving him an African name: “Jabulani”, meaning “be happy”.
IK then sent half of the Housemates into the Big Brother Amplified house, keeping the other half on the stage for a bit of a party. As the first group started exploring the house, IK stopped the dance-off and sent the second group ofHousemates into their home for the next 91 days. Having seen each other for the first time during the opening show, the Housemates wasted no time in getting to know each other properly over a drink or two as they settled into the stylish new house. Will new friendships be formed? Will tempers fray? Could romance blossom? No matter what – it’s going to be Amplified!
The winner of Big Brother Amplified will be named on 31 July, after 91 days of mesmerizing television – and the power to award to USD 200 000 prize rests in the hands of the viewers. The series is available 24/7 to DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers. Big Brother Amplified is headline sponsored by Coca-Cola and produced for M-Net by Endemol South Africa. Big Brother Amplified will also be available on DStv Mobile in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria. Don’t miss a second of the continent’s biggest reality show, only on DStv, 24/7.
Big Brother Amplified fans can catch all the latest news, video – and all-important voting information – at www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother. Interactivity is key for Big Brother Amplified, with fans once more able to send SMS messages to the on-screen strap, interact with @BigBroAfrica on Twitter and visit the Big Brother Africa Facebook Group to get the low-down on the continent’s favourite reality show. By simply pressing the OK button on their DStv remote (on Channel 198) viewers can also get updated news and information from the Big Brother Amplified house.