Published on October 19, 2013 | by Catherine Chen Photography by Slice/Shaw Media and Liza Stinton
0Guelph-Humber alum Liza Stinton on Big Brother Canada
After graduating from the inaugural class of the Media Studies program at the University of Guelph-Humber, Liza Stinton has since placed fifth on the first season of Big Brother Canada. The reality show debuted on Feb. 27, 2013, and pulled in huge numbers each week. When Slice announced that there would be a following season, casting details were at the top of every hopeful contestant’s mind. In this interview with Radix, Liza raves about her experience on Big Brother Canada and gives worthy tips for future contestants.
Radix: Why did you want to go on Big Brother Canada and what was your purpose for going on the show?
Liza Stinton: I thought how great would it be if I could just give something for everyone to laugh at. If I could just go on national television and make a fool of myself and give every single one of my family and friends something to tune into everyday and chat with each other, “Oh my god did you see what she did today? Does she put pants on ever? I don’t think so.”
R: How did you feel when you found out you’d been cast?
LS: This is going to sound like the most arrogant thing ever, but I knew. I literally walked in, quietly grabbed my number and took a nap because I was [thinking], you [other hopefuls] are all wasting your time [because the directors] just need to see me and then I’m just going to be on the show.
R: With the stereotypes that surround Canadian television, did you think it matched up to any standard?
LS: I will tell you that it was the highest-grossing Canadian show of all time. I know that they just wanted us to beat the ratings of The Real Housewives of Vancouver and we doubled or tripled them. It was the sound quality, the colour quality, it was the zoom quality, they went in HD! If I knew that every human being that I’ve ever known in my life was going to watch 24/7, I would have been hilarious. I’m so proud to a part of it and I can only imagine what they are going to do with Season 2.
R: Life after Big Brother Canada – what is your relationship like with your ex housemates?
LS: Aneal is my best friend for life and because we didn’t have a relationship, it was just this pure friendship. Peter and I are just friends. Peter and I had a more tumultuous run at it so I wouldn’t say our connection is as pure. Tom, with the 
purest heart in the whole wide world, who is just the sweetest boy… we’re not together but he continues to be so loving and so supportive and such a wonderful human being. Topaz and Alec are two people I hated in the house and I love them so much outside the house. Alec is really just a sweet guy. Topaz too, we just played it wrong. Inside the house, we thought that we were going to be. AJ too, like my Toronto people are my people. Aneal, Kat, and AJ.ity, they went in HD! If I knew that every human being that I’ve ever known in my life was going to watch 24/7, I would have been hilarious. I’m so proud to a part of it and I can only imagine what they are going to do with Season 2.
R: What are your plans now? Any involvement for Season 2?
LS: I have zero involvement in Season 2; I’ve just been going to open casting calls because it’s truly the only way I know how to give back. I’m not part of the casting team, I am not part of production, and my run is over.
R: Do you have any tips for future contestants?
LS: Talk less and listen more. If I just shut my mouth and never told anybody I was after Emmett, I would have gone to the final four. Find one person you trust unconditionally and trust them no matter what, I did that with Peter. You need somebody in that game that you tell everything to. Name your alliance. If you do not name your alliance, it is not official. Befriend the oldest person in the game; they are the least likely to flip on you. Lastly, unless you’re Jillian and Topaz, a girl will never ever win against a guy in the final two so if a girl wants to win this game, take a girl to the final two.
You can catch the Toronto houseguests from Season 1 of Big Brother Canada at the Toronto open calls on October 19 at John Bassett Theatre. Until next time, Big Brother is always watching.
About the Author
Catherine Chen is a third year journalism student. She loves food, blogging, seahorses, leggings, and puns. If you want to try agave nectar, she carries them in her bag. When she is not busy with working two jobs, she is practicing her dramatic lip-syncing skills and executing her fashion fantasies.
Related Posts
Sleep in students: How much is enough? →
Oscars 2017: Diversity rises as ratings fall →
Early childhood studies: It’s more than just daycare →
