By Jessica Anstice
She came… She saw… She got evicted.
Pakenham’s very own reality star, Sarah McDougal, made it into the final five on iconic TV show Big Brother.
The 19-year-old was evicted from the Big Brother house during Monday night’s episode.
In an interview with the Gazette, Sarah revealed her favourite memory in the Big Brother house, how far she thinks she would have gotten in the game if Australia were voting and who she’s backing to win the $234,000 prize.
In the latest episode, the housemates were informed that the nomination challenge was not in fact a nomination challenge at it.
Rather, the first person to become defeated in the challenge would automatically be up for eviction.
Each of the four contestants, including Sarah, Sophie, Mat and Dan, had a funnel full of corn that was pouring through a hole at the bottom.
The housemates were to collect corn that was falling through, before running up a flight of stairs and refilling the funnel.
The aim of the game was to keep any amount of corn in the funnel, and unfortunately Sarah’s funnel was the first to empty.
“I felt pretty defeated because I knew that the challenge wasn’t designed for me and I was running for about 45 minutes straight,” she laughed.
To determine the second eviction nominee, there was a second challenge that saw Mat lose.
Again to Sarah’s disadvantage, Mat had an extra vote to cast from winning a previous challenge.
“It was hard hearing that I would be going up against Mat because he has an extra vote in the eviction ceremony. So I automatically knew that he would be voting for me,” Sarah said.
“I could do the maths pretty quickly and I was certain I was leaving unfortunately.
“I knew Sophie wouldn’t vote for me but Dan would take Mat’s friendship over any amount of money, so I definitely knew my fate.”
While nerves were running high, Sarah said she wasn’t surprised when Big Brother host Sonia Kruger called out her name in the eviction ceremony.
“I definitely wasn’t surprised because I knew where the numbers would lie unfortunately,” she added.
“I was definitely proud of myself leaving the house because I made it until the second last day.
“It was such a surreal feeling knowing that I would be going back into the real world though and would get to see my phone – mind blowing that I actually did that.”
After walking out of the Big Brother house doors, the first thing Sarah did was call her family and boyfriend.
“They all were screaming and freaking out so that was crazy,” she recalled.
“I also looked up the coronavirus statistics because that was so, so shocking to hear in the house.”
After living on mostly staples for six weeks, Sarah said she indulged in a delicious burrito bowl from Mexican fast food chain Guzman y Gomez as her first meal out of the house.
Reflecting on her time in the Big Brother house, she believes her long-lasting time in the game came down to strategy.
“The entire time I was playing a game that no one realised I was playing,” she said.
“I aligned myself in every social group to make sure I wasn’t in the firing line and I pride myself on how hard I strategically played the game.
“Definitely a big social threat that everyone underestimated.”
When the final 10 housemates were announced, they were treated to a Mexican fiesta night which was Sarah’s favourite memory in the house.
“It was such a fun filled, loving night and we all genuinely enjoyed each other’s company,” she said.
“We also got some margaritas so it definitely was a highlight.”
From lazing around, talking, swimming and working out, on the housemates’ down days, Sarah said there wasn’t a whole lot to do in order to keep occupied.
“Despite what is actually shown on TV there is hardly anything to do all day,” she said.
In the original Big Brother game, the housemates nominate and Australia votes, however in this new version, it was up to the players to vote.
If Australia were to vote, Sarah believes she may not have stayed as long as she did.
“I feel like Australia didn’t get the opportunity to see me much earlier on in the series so I don’t know if I would’ve stayed as long,” she said.
“But towards the end Australia definitely wanted an underdog to take it out and I think they loved that I played an individual and independent game so who knows.”
The Pakenham teen received an enormous amount of support from the Cardinia Shire community while she was in the spotlight.
“The support I’ve received from Pakenham is mind blowing,” she said.
“Everyone has been beyond supportive and I couldn’t be more thankful. I really love the community spirit.”
As with most reality TV shows, it’s often found that contesters are portrayed in a different light.
Although according to Sarah, everyone in the house was portrayed exactly how they are in real life – except for one.
“The only person I would question the editing for would be Dan probably,” she said.
“He’s much more funny and loving in real life. But other than that everyone is exactly how they’re shown on the TV, whether they want to admit it or not.
“Of course the audience doesn’t see everything but that was to be expected.”
As for who she hopes will win…
“I am actually hoping Dan wins,” she said.
“He’s played this entire game with a target on his back and if he makes it to the final three, he definitely deserved the title.
“I don’t think anyone who’s played an easy game should deserve it.”
In describing her Big Brother experience, she said it was an “absolutely surreal, once in a lifetime opportunity”.
“The things I experienced in that house were absolutely off the charts and it’s the best thing I have ever decided to do.”
Sarah told the Gazette she has big things planned for the future, including YouTube videos, and major sponsorship opportunities through her growing social media channels.
“I have so many things planned! So many companies and management agencies have reached out with really exciting opportunities so that’s crazy,” she said.
“I’m also starting up a YouTube channel for people to be able to see my adventures after going on Big Brother.”
Sarah arrived in Sydney two weeks ago before the border closed and has since been in quarantine to attend the live grand final at 7.30pm on Wednesday night.
