Gretel Killeen, who fronted the early seasons of Big Brother Australia, has reflected on the groundbreaking nature of the show and her own initial reservations about taking on the hosting role. Killeen, now 63, told Stellar magazine that when she was first approached to audition for the show at 38, she believed she was too old and did not fit the typical television presenter profile of the era.
"I thought 38 was too old and you had to have blonde hair to be a host. Those were the parameters in those days," Killeen recalled. Despite her initial doubts, she went on to host Big Brother during its cultural peak from 2001 to 2007, becoming one of Australia's most recognizable television personalities and a pioneer for female hosts of major live reality programs.
Killeen noted the significant difference in the media landscape when Big Brother first aired, highlighting the absence of platforms like YouTube and Facebook, and the much slower pace of communication technology. "It was the first reality show, but there were other firsts. To have a female hosting, that was unheard of. Not as a sidekick, but hosting a live show," she stated.
She also touched upon the industry's gender dynamics during her early career, mentioning a theory that men received significantly more work than women because audiences were perceived as not wanting to hear female voices. Killeen credited men who supported her career for helping to change the landscape of Australian television.
Looking ahead to her return to television as the host of The Traitors Australia, Killeen expressed a changed perspective on age and experience. "I didn't think I was young at the time [at 38] but in retrospect, I was!" she admitted. She also reflected on the intense fame she experienced with Big Brother, noting that it was a different level of public attention compared to today's media environment.
Killeen stated she is now more comfortable with herself and no longer feels the need to conform to perceived industry standards. She indicated no plans to slow down, embracing her later years with energy. "A lot of people at literary festivals are women. There are women's trekking groups, women's art groups. A lot more women volunteer than men. This is where we have a choice: I can either call myself old and slow down, or sprint to the finish line."