On the October 9 episode, Hallie, who, at just 18 years of age, is the youngest contestant in the house this year, opened up to her housemates on the British reality show.
“Hey guys, I just have something to say. Yesterday I feel like I wasn’t being 100 percent authentic in myself,” she said. “I thought I’d let everyone know I’m trans, if you didn’t know already. I just thought I’d make that loud and clear. I’m a trans woman if you didn’t know. Just wanted to bring that up.”
She was immediately greeted with “good for you,” “thanks for sharing,” and hugs from her fellow castmates.
She also talked about how, if she wins, she wants to use the money for her transition. After she came out, Hallie was talking to her housemate Kerry when asked if she plans to “transition fully.”
“Yeah, if I win I’m gonna get a vagina, designer vagina,” she replied, smiling. “That’s what I want. And I’m gonna pay my mum back for all the years she paid for my treatment.”
Kerry and other BBUK cast member Jenkin started to get emotional, with Kerry saying that makes her want to cry.
“How much are we talking, for you to get a fanny,” Kerry asked, with Hallie replying that it would be “about 30 grand.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Jenkin interjected. “Just for you to be yourself.”
“It is! The mind doesn’t match the body, that’s the best way to describe being trans,” Hallie agreed. “I have a female mind, but the body just doesn’t match.”
She also explained that she has been on hormone replacement therapy since she was 16, and that because of the long waiting time for trans-related health care, she’s never had a boyfriend, “never had sex, never done anything sexual with anyone because I’m just not comfortable in my body.”
Two trans people have previously won
Big Brother UK, with trans woman Nadia Almada winning in 2004 and Luke Anderson, a trans man, winning in 2012.