EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Big Brother contestant Bree Amer’s dire warning to wannabe reality stars – as she says many people are ‘just too fragile’ for the spotlight
Bree Amer was one of the most memorable contestants from the 2004 season of Big Brother Australia.
Now working behind the camera as a casting director and producer for reality shows like The Bachelor and My Kitchen Rules, the 37-year-old is in a better position than most to know what really goes on behind the scenes.
In a wide-ranging interview with Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, she said that too many people are being cast on shows these days even though they aren’t mentally strong enough for it.
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EXCLUSIVE: Big Brother star-turned-casting director Bree Amer (pictured) has reveals she worries for stars who are too fragile for the spotlight and ‘influencer’ status as the landscape has changed dramatically since she rose to fame in 2004
‘I think some people who are cast on shows these days are just too fragile, and trust me, a lot of frank conversations are had with people before they go on TV,’ Bree said.
‘People can go through psychological evaluations and be warned about the aftermath and how mean people can be, but sometimes you don’t know how fragile stars are until they’re actually [on the show].’
‘I do worry about people, but everyone makes their own decisions and you can only do so much to warn people,’ she added.
Flashback! The 2004 runner-up and TV host on Friday Night Live has since used her insight to become a casting director on the other side of the camera. Pictured in 2004 with host Gretel Killeen and winner Trevor Butler
‘I think some people who are cast on shows these days are just too fragile’: Bree said despite frank conversations and psych evaluations with stars, sometimes it’s impossible to know how fragile stars are until they’re actually doing it (the show). Pictured: The Bachelor 2020 cast
Bree also said she was glad to have avoided the ‘influencer era’, which has seen many ex-reality stars turn to spruiking teeth-whitening kits and skinny teas to make a living.
‘I missed the social media thing – I really feel for them [reality stars these days] as it brings a lot of negativity,’ she said.
Despite not being portrayed as a ‘villain’ on Big Brother, at the height of her fame Bree had members of the public hurl abuse at her on the street and throw drinks at her at bars.
‘People that have behaved poorly, imagine the abuse they must cop. As a controversial character these days, like on Married At First Sight, I wouldn’t cope. I would go into hiding!’ she said.
‘People come out of reality TV bitter or hating the show or how they were received by viewers, but I’ve got nothing but good memories from Big Brother.’
‘As a controversial character these days, like on Married At First Sight, I wouldn’t cope, I’d go into hiding!’ Despite never being painted as a ‘villain’ on Big Brother, Bree said she received abuse by members of the public, and couldn’t fathom what stars must be subject to now. Pictured: MAFS star Hayley Vernon
‘I was always interested in producing’: On Mike Goldman’s show On The Mike in October 2018, Bree explained the reason for her career change. Pictured: Mike and Bree in 2007
Speaking on the On The Mike podcast in October 2018, Bree explained how she had been able to transition from a reality TV contestant to a behind-the-scenes producer.
‘I started as low down as I possibly could. I was just always interested in producing,’ she said.
She worked in street casting for the show World’s Strictest Parents, before being hired to find contestants for My Kitchen Rules.
Bree helped produced five seasons of MKR and has also produced seasons of The Bachelor Australia, Zumbo’s Just Desserts and Bringing Sexy Back.
Her TV producer husband Evan recently produced Channel Seven’s Bride And Prejudice.
Bree and Evan are now the proud parents to three-year-old son Hunter and 11-month-old daughter Harlow.
Family life: Bree and TV producer husband Evan Wilkes are now the proud parents to three-year-old son Hunter and 11-month-old daughter Harlow