Big Brother Australia launched the careers of many household names, but what happened to the contestants after the cameras stopped rolling?
Some have made savvy investments in the property market while others have turned their fame into lucrative media careers.
Here’s a look at where some of the show’s most memorable housemates are now.
Sara Marie Fedele: Season One (2001)
Sara Marie Fedele appeared on the first season of Big Brother back in 2001, placing third in the competition.
The then 22-year-old became a breakout star thanks to her bunny ears, pyjamas and ‘bum dance’.
In the months after the season finished, she released a pop single called I’m So Excited (The Bum Dance), a book, and a sleepwear line.
Fedele has since faded from the public eye and now lives a quiet life in her hometown of Bunbury, WA, with her daughter. She moved back home after 10 years spent living in Sydney.
The former reality star previously spoke about her decision to retreat from the public eye in a 2020 interview with MamaMia.
“I haven’t been in hibernation, I just didn’t care to be known,” she said.
“I’m still the same person before, but a grown-up version. I did what I did and then I was happy to go.”
Sara Marie Fedele.
Big Brother’s Sara Marie Fedele in 2023.
Blair McDonough: Season One (2001)
Blair McDonough rose to fame on the first season of Big Brother in 2001 when he was 19.
That same year, the former reality star was cast on Neighbours playing Stuart Parker for five years. He briefly reprised his role in 2018.
A “mate” of McDonough’s told Woman’s Day the actor lived in luxury with his wife Kristi Townley and their two children in Melbourne after investing his money in property.
“He is sitting on a couple of million dollars’ worth of property, and lives off his investments in between acting gigs,” the friend claimed.
Blair McDonough.
Sara Marie Fedele and Blair McDonough years after they appeared on Big Brother.
Last year, McDonough and his wife listed their Suffolk Park beach house just outside of Byron Bay. The property has a $3.8m to $4.18m price guide.
The Melbourne couple bought it in 2016, when they paid $940,000 for a two-bedroom cottage, which they have since transformed into a luxury entertainer.
The home has been extended, with three bedrooms in the main house and another bedroom in a granny flat.
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Reggie Sorensen: Season Three (2003)
Known back then as Reggie Bird, the then 29-year-old fish and chip shop owner won Big Brother Season 3 back in 2003, taking home $250,000.
Since the series, Sorensen has been twice divorced and is mum to two children, Mia and Lucas. The former flight attendant has also faced personal challenges.
Her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at four weeks old while she suffers from a degenerative eye condition that has left her legally blind.
In recent years, Sorensen has made a return to reality TV. She returned to Big Brother in 2022 and appeared on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! Australia this year.
Sorensen currently lives on the Gold Coast.
Big Brother 3 contestant & overall winner Regina ‘Reggie’ Sorensen (right) with host Gretel Killeen. Picture: Andrew MacColl.
Reggie with her son Lucas in 2022. Picture: Regi Varghese
Chrissie Swan: Season Three (2003)
After placing as runner-up on Big Brother’s 2003 season, Chrissie Swan went on to host or co-host programs including The Circle, The Great Australian Spelling Bee, Would I Lie To You Australia and The Project.
In 2011, the media personality won the Logie Awards’ Most Popular New Female Talent, and was nominated for the Most Popular TV Presenter and Gold Logie gongs.
The reality star came third in 2015’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and appeared in 2021’s Celebrity MasterChef Australia.
Chrissie Swan during her time on Big Brother. Picture: Andrew MacColl
Chrissie Swan has created a successful career in TV and radio after her time on Big Brother.
She also presents The Chrissie Swan Show on radio station Nova FM.
Swan is known to have purchased a couple Victorian properties over the years.
The radio and TV queen bought a house in one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs, Hawthorn East in 2017 for $3.2 million after she offloaded her former abode.
She sold the five-bedroom residence at South Yarra in 2018 for $4.05 million that she shared with her former partner Chris Saville, property records show.
The couple purchased the property for $2.8 million in July 2012 for $2.8 million.
In September, Swan sold her quirky mid-century Hawthorn East pad for more than $2.5 million.
Trevor Butler: Season Four (2004)
Trevor Butler won the 2004 season with $1 million and proposed to his then girlfriend Breea.
The couple used the prize money to settle down in Queensland.
According to Woman’s Day, Trevor and Breea lived off the interest from the prize money for 12 months, before using it to buy a house on the Gold Coast and multiple cars.
After winning a legal battle to avoid paying half his winnings to the Australian Taxation Office, Trevor invested the remainder of the money.
Today Trevor co‑hosts Drive on Gold Coast station 102.9 Hot Tomato. He and Breea live in Tweed Heads with their two sons.
Trevor Butler.
Trevor Butler from Big Brother in 2022.
Ryan ‘Fitzy” Fitzgerald: Season Four (2004)
Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald became a household name when he appeared on Big Brother back in 2004.
The former footy star went on to become one of Australia’s most popular media personalities. He currently co-hosts Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie breakfast show.
The radio star owns a property on the beachfront at Port Noarlunga, SA with his wife Belinda. The couple share two sons, Hewston and Lennox.
Big Brother 2008: Friday Night Live: co-host Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald with guest star Pamela Anderson.
Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald with his radio co-hosts Kate Ritchie and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Last year, the couple appeared to have settled into their new Adelaide mansion after revealing their plans to relocate back to South Australia from Sydney.
The home boasts three levels and incredible views of Port Noarlunga, which is about 30 minutes outside of Adelaide.
Fitzy purchased the property for $780,000 in 2008 and spent years leasing it out as a holiday rental before then renovating the pad in 2021.
The residence is now estimated to be worth around $5 million.
The Logan Twins: Season Five (2005)
Twin brothers Greg and David Mathew walked away with $836,000 when they won the reality series in 2005.
Known as the “Logan” twins (thanks to their shared middle name) made headlines when they entered the Big Brother house with the task of convincing their housemates that they were in fact one person.
Identical twins David (left) and Greg Mathew as the impostors known as the Logan twins.
‘Logan’ twin David Matthew in recent times.
Since winning the show, Greg, 44, has become a multi-millionaire property investor.
Worth a staggering $10 million, the former reality TV star invested in a series of hotels, nightclubs and properties in Newcastle, located north of Sydney.
His portfolio includes the King Street Hotel, The Argyle House and Greenroof Hotel.
Greg also has three children with his ex-wife, former magazine editor Justine Cullen.
Not much is known of David since he left the limelight. According to reports, he is currently residing in Queensland and is father to a son named Jax.
He reportedly went on to work as a plumber and a professional in the mining industry after his time on Big Brother.
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