Vinnie Brigante has become one of the standout stars of the latest Big Brother Australia season, but newly surfaced footage reveals the 21-year-old's television career began a year earlier on a classic game show.
From Game Show Contestant to Housemate
Throwback footage, which emerged on TikTok this week, shows the Melbourne barber appearing on an episode of Channel 10's Deal or No Deal in 2024. The clip, posted by the So Many Receipts podcast, has been viewed over 57,200 times since it was shared on Tuesday.
In the video, host Grant Denyer calls Vinnie from the audience to play a round. He participated alongside his brother and grandmother, ultimately making a deal for $18,800 and walking away from a golden suitcase containing $50,000.
The Path to the Big Brother House
According to reports, Big Brother producers spotted Vinnie's appearance on the game show and were impressed by his vibrant personality. This directly led to them encouraging him to audition for the reality hit, where he has since become a fan favourite.
Vinnie isn't the only current housemate with a surprise TV past. Colin Young's 'debut' was also shared on Big Brother's official TikTok. The clip shows him being interviewed by WIN News earlier this year about construction noise near his Wollongong home, with his now-familiar extroverted character already on full display.
Another Recruit's Unconventional Journey
The news follows revelations about another controversial housemate, Michael Downs. As exclusively reported by the Daily Mail last month, the 47-year-old publisher was never originally meant for the Big Brother house.
Instead, production company Endemol Shine Australia had been in active discussions for months to bring him into Married At First Sight 2026 as a late-season 'intruder'. A production insider explained the plan was scrapped at the eleventh hour because producers failed to find him a suitable match based on his specific criteria.
'They genuinely thought he'd be great TV. Michael is strong-willed, blunt and totally unfiltered,' the insider said. 'But the problem was his criteria... They just couldn't find a bride who matched what he described.'
With the filming deadline looming, producers felt 'backed into a corner' and eventually redirected Michael to Big Brother, where executives believed his outspoken personality would be 'better utilised'. He has since made waves in the house, introducing himself as a media company boss known for stirring debate.
The uncovering of these past appearances highlights the often unexpected and winding paths that lead individuals to reality TV fame, with producers actively scouting talent from other television formats.
