Tyrone Willard, the 26-year-old multilingual media enthusiast, entered Big Brother Mzansi Season 5 with a clear goal — to gain exposure and break into the entertainment industry.
As an openly gay white South African, fluent in isiXhosa and other local languages, Willard knew he was different, and he wanted to use that uniqueness to his advantage.
Growing up, Willard was fascinated by the entertainment world. Inspired by Bonang Matheba’s ability to build a brand beyond just being a TV personality, he has set his sights on a media career combining creativity and business acumen.
His participation in Big Brother Mzansi was his way of kick-starting that dream, hoping to use the platform to network and make a name for himself.
“My biggest dream has always been to work in media, to be behind the scenes as a producer, and one day to have the same influence and power as Bonang Matheba,” Willard shared in an interview with IOL this week after he was evicted at the weekend.
“We always talk about how hard it is to break into the industry, and I thought, ‘Let me create my opportunity.’”
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A multilingual and bold personality
One of the most striking things about Willard was his ability to speak Xhosa, a skill that both surprised and impressed viewers. Raised in a culturally diverse environment, he embraced the language from a young age and saw it as a bridge to connecting with people.
“I love the way language brings people together,” Willard said. “When I speak Xhosa, I see people’s faces light up. It’s about respect, about understanding each other’s worlds.”
His openness about his sexuality and unapologetic personality made him one of the most talked-about housemates. Whether he was leading conversations, cracking jokes, or taking charge during tasks, he ensured he left a mark.
“I have no regrets. I know I may not have been the strongest Head of House (HoH), but where I excelled was in speaking up, presenting ideas, and being creative,” he told IOL.
Willard's shock eviction
Willard's time in the Big Brother Mzansi house had its highs and lows. In Week 6, he secured the powerful HoH title, which gave him temporary immunity and control over house decisions. However, his leadership was not without challenges, as tensions rose between him and some housemates who questioned his decision-making.
His reign as HoH was short-lived, and just two weeks later, he found himself on the eviction list. In a dramatic twist, Big Brother nominated the entire house, making the elimination unpredictable. On Sunday, Tyrone was evicted alongside Melino, Philile, and Mandy Hagan, bringing his journey to an unexpected end.
“The sadness of not reaching the top 10 hit me for a moment. I thought, ‘As loud as I am, as tall as I am, as gay as I am, South Africa still doesn’t see me?’” he reflected.
“But I made peace with it. Every Sunday, I was so nervous, but this time, I was cool. I know I am a great author of my own story. Copy me back, I will do it again.”
@centuryspot Tyrone🥰❤️ #centuryspot #viral #foryou #tyrone #BBMzansi #BBMzansiS5 #sama28 #trend #centuryspotbackup No copyright infringement is intended. We do not own nor claim to own the rights to this video. @Big Brother Mzansi Official ♬ original sound - 🤟🏾
What’s Next for Tyrone?
Now that his Big Brother Mzansi chapter has closed, Willard is focused on turning his reality TV exposure into a sustainable career. He is determined to break into the media industry, not just as a personality but as a force behind the scenes.
“I don’t want opportunities just because I was on screen. I want to prove myself,” he said.
With dreams of producing content, hosting shows, and following in Bonang Matheba’s footsteps, he is ready to carve his own path in the entertainment world.
IOL