Big Brother UK: Zelah’s mother responds to him getting misgendered on the show 

Big Brother UK had its fair share of drama when things got awkward during a game on the October 7 episode. Caroline Monk used the wrong pronouns for Zelah Glasson, a 25-year-old transgender man, and the mood in the house dropped fast. Zelah was clearly hurt, and the other housemates quickly jumped in to back him up. Big Brother didn’t waste time either, handing Caroline a formal warning.

Caroline and Zelah eventually sat down and hashed things out, a rare sight in a house where people usually prefer shouting over sharing feelings. Somehow, they managed to be calm and grown-up about it, which might actually be the most shocking twist of the season. Outside the house, Zelah’s mom, Maya, was basically bursting with pride, not just because her son kept his cool, but because he handled the whole thing with the kind of class you don’t often see on reality TV. In a season packed with glitter, gossip, and dramatic door slams, Zelah’s chill attitude stood out like a cup of tea in a sea of spilled coffee, proving that sometimes the quietest moments are the most powerful.

What was the misgendering situation on Big Brother UK and what were its implications?

During a Truth or Dare game, Caroline asked Nancy to name which housemate she would pursue romantically on an isolated island. Nancy selected Zelah. Caroline then responded by saying, using incorrect pronouns:

"She's a girl"

Her comment sparked immediate objection from other housemates, particularly Feyisola and Teja. Both contestants vocally supported Zelah in response to Caroline's remark. Big Brother intervened by issuing Caroline a formal warning. She subsequently apologized directly to Zelah, who accepted her apology at that time. The quick intervention and support from fellow contestants demonstrated the house's commitment to inclusivity.

In Big Brother UK episode 10, Zelah and Caroline sat privately to address the tension between them. Caroline explained that her original comment aimed to create conflict between Nancy and Cameron rather than target Zelah specifically. Zelah acknowledged her clarification but pointed out that other Big Brother UK housemates had recognized the problematic direction of her remarks. He expressed that being referred to as a girl felt particularly painful given the context of earlier conversations.

Zelah mentioned feeling separated from male contestants due to previous discussions about reproduction. He described the experience as emotionally difficult. Caroline took full responsibility, stating she had no justification for her actions. She expressed genuine regret about upsetting Zelah specifically. The conversation concluded positively when Zelah acknowledged that making mistakes is acceptable and praised Caroline's efforts to learn and connect with others. He extended his forgiveness.

Zelah's mother spoke to media outlets about her son's conduct throughout the incident on Big Brother UK. She expressed genuine pride in how he managed the difficult situation. Maya noted that Zelah "conducts himself" with integrity, which has always mattered more to her than competition outcomes. She insisted that he had "already won" by handling the situation gracefully. According to Maya, Zelah's desire to participate in meaningful conversation regarding gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues demonstrates his integrity and maturity.

Zelah’s personal journey explored

Zelah had top surgery about two years ago as part of their transition. He used to be in a lesbian relationship for eight years, but it never really felt right, kind of like wearing shoes that don’t fit, no matter how hard you try. He came out as gay when he was 15 but later figured out that living as a woman just wasn’t his story. When he talked about all this in the Big Brother UK house, people really listened, and instead of the usual drama and shouting, there were actually some real, thoughtful talks about who we are and how we accept each other.

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Big Brother UK airs nightly on ITV2 and streams on ITVX in the UK.

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