‘Big Brother Canada 3’ pre-game exclusive: Can Bruno Ielo win for his family?
Bruno Ielo could easily be the sort of guy people want to root for on “Big Brother Canada” when season 3 premieres next week. He’s a longtime fan of the show, he’s personable, and as a father, he also brings into the game a very different perspective than the other players. When it comes to comparing him to past parents, we would say that he probably has more in common with Sarah than Suzette or Paul.
If this is the first pre-game interview from us that you are reading, here are a few important things to know: We conducted these before the “ET Canada” cast reveal, so we had zero outside knowledge of the players going in. With that, we were also doing this via phone and had no idea what the players even looked like. You can check out all of our other exclusive “Big Brother Canada” interviews at the link here, or you can also click on the image below to get some other updates that way. After we get through sharing our interview with you, we’ll give you more of our overall impressions of him.
CarterMatt – Tell us about yourself: Your name, where you’re from, your age, and what you do for a living.
I’m Bruno Ielo, I’m 31, and I’m a construction worker. (Note: He is also from Ottawa.)
What made you want to try out for Big Brother Canada this year?
I’ve loved the show for many years. I’ve watched the American show from year one, and I even wanted to be the first Canadian to be on the American show. That was my original goal, but it turned out that you had to be an American resident and it just didn’t work.
When the show [came to Canada], I was like ‘this is it.’ For the first year, when the auditions came out, my son was born two days after auditions started. So I had to [stay back] for my wife and my kid. I did start making a video, but I stopped and didn’t send it in. Season 2 came around, and my wife and I decided that we wanted to have another baby, so I didn’t apply again. Season 3 we’re here; no more babies, and this is a dream come true for me.
If you could compare yourself to someone from either BB Canada or BB USA, who would it be?
The funny thing is that I don’t think there’s been a player like me. I know a lot of people will say Dan or Derrick because a lot of people will say they’re the greatest players, but the reality is that not many people can play like that. If I had to say anyone, I would say Jeff Schroeder. The personality is amazing; that guy was incredible. Strategy-wise, I have a very strategic mind. I would probably compare myself to Derrick or Dan in that sense.
What’s something about you that would surprise people?
Something that I know would surprise people is that I’m a very big gamer. Not a lot of people would think that in my day-to-day life. I was actually ranked as the #1 gamer in the world for a game called Dark Age of Camelot, and I played it for almost ten years. It takes a lot of [time] to be good at, especially the best at. I’m also a closet geek; I like Saturday morning cartoons! Not a lot of people know that.
What’s your basic strategy going into the house?
I could sit here and tell you an entire strategy of what I’m going to do, but if we’re going to be honest with each other, I don’t think I can do that. We don’t know who has been cast in this house, I don’t know the other contestants. My strategy is that I don’t have a strategy. I’m going to go in with an open mind. The way I work is that I like to deal with people one-on-one and find common ground … That’s what I’m going to do in the house to figure out what [people’s] strengths and weaknesses are. I’m going to use that to my benefit.
Is there any one thing you are the most excited to do this season?
Honestly, the experience. This is something I’ve dreamed about for many years; some people want to go to space or win a gold medal, but this is honestly my dream. Just be there and living the experience.
What do you think your biggest weakness could be?
I biggest overall weakness is going to be my strength: My wife and kids. Being away from them will be a weight on my shoulders, but it’s also going to get me to the end.
What are hoping to get out of the show: Money, fame, or just a good time?
The fame, I’m not into that. If it comes, it’s great, but that’s not why I’m here. I want to better my kids’ lives. That money could help their schooling, and I want that money to go in their bank account [for their future]. I don’t want a penny of it.
If there is one message you would pass along to the Canadian public before entering the game, what would it be?
I’m a gamer and this is a game, so I hope people don’t take things personally. We’re here to have a good time and play a game, and there are going to be things that we do or say that are [just part of the game]. I hope everyone enjoys it, and I hope we put on a good show for the public. I hope it’s the best season yet.
Our overall impression – Even though he kind of talked out of both sides of his mouth in some of his answers, it’s good to be political sometimes! That will serve him well. We actually like Bruno a lot. He really wants to be there, he came across as very friendly, and he has a casual demeanor that will make him a good ally to keep around. He’s not going to be a threat.
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