If there’s one thing that Network 10’s Big Brother Australia reboot did, it definitely brought some delightful drama to our screens through heated debates. Earlier this season, Bruce Dunne was embroiled in controversy over his clashing views with Mia Wijewardene.
But now, with the season done and dusted, Bruce believes the Big Brother Australia house has expanded his perspective on hard-hitting topics such as the gender pay gap and traditional gender roles.
Following last night’s shebang — which saw Coco Beeby leave the house $135,000 richer — Bruce admitted that his experience in the Dreamworld sharehouse has opened up his world-view. However, he admits he “took a stronger stance” in his arguments with Mia as a way to hash out any tension stemming from these discussions.
“I think [it] changed my perception,” he told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“I can only speak from my experience, and in there with the pressure and everything, I think it was — I probably took a stronger stance just to end the conversation.”
For those who missed out on the viral chat, Bruce, alongside Mia and Michael Downs, got involved in a heated discussion surrounding traditional gender roles and the pay gap. In the Big Brother house, both Bruce and Michael agreed that the idea of men being providers and women being homemakers “just works” for them.
“People hate it, but it just works. Nowadays, you introduce all this other bullshit,” Bruce said before bringing up “caveman days” and how “women stay there, all protect the kids, the guys go out and hunt animals”.
Things reached boiling point when Mia expressed that these views don’t give women a choice.
“I don’t think then it’s really giving someone a choice, then, ‘cos you’re already having that expectation they should do that,” Mia said.
Reflecting on the conversation, which has since gone gangbusters on Big Brother Australia‘s TikTok, the 25-year-old tradie admitted he didn’t have the best knowledge on the topic.
“I actually believe — I am not the most informed on the matter, but heavy convo after heavy convo kind of gets old pretty quick,” he continued.
Did Bruce Dunne really change after the Big Brother Australia house?
Speaking to PEDESTRIAN.TV, fellow housemate Mia said she was “glad to hear Bruce had taken time to reflect” on their discussions.
She went on to add that these heated discussions were an opportunity to platform topics that impact society today, and that it wasn’t her intention to make anyone feel called out.
“Our conversation in the house was an important one, and my intention was never to call anyone out, only to highlight a reality that many women experience every day,” Mia said.
“We got Australia talking, and for me, I didn’t want to shy away from the big topics we were on a national platform, so why not lean in and get into the good stuff.”
The fan-favourite said she had “nothing but love” for her fellow Big Brother stars, and that people with different political views aren’t in her “bad books”.
“I genuinely believe that understanding both what divides us and what we agree on is the only way to have meaningful, productive conversations,” she said.
“If his perspective has genuinely shifted, then that’s a positive thing and such a win for me being on the show. Growth is always possible, and I respect anyone who’s willing to reconsider their views.
“What matters most to me is that the conversation sparked a broader discussion about equality, and I’m grateful it resonated with so many people.”
Bruce said he hasn’t had an opportunity to reconnect with Mia post his eviction. At the same time, he also said he hasn’t had an opportunity to chat with his Big Brother flame Coco, telling P.TV they “haven’t really had a chance” to talk about their romance post reality TV.
“Since we’ve left, it’s just been all guns blazing sort of thing,” he said.
“We haven’t really had a chance to talk about it, but I hope so. We’ll have to go for that coffee and see how it goes!”
Unfortunately — according to the history of Big Brother romances — the relationship could potentially be a bust after Monday night’s shebang.
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