Big Brother UK winner Nadia Almada has expressed frustration over being repeatedly asked why she did not disclose her transgender identity to her fellow housemates, two decades after winning the reality show in 2004.
In an appearance on the QueerAF podcast alongside 2025 Big Brother UK housemate Zelah Glasson, Nadia shared insights into her experiences and the treatment she received from production crews, highlighting how little progress has been made behind the scenes over the years.
Nadia offered advice to prospective Trans+ Big Brother contestants, stating: "You don't owe anyone any explanations whatsoever, in any shape or form. I'm an agitator and disruptor, and I knew they wanted me. And therefore, I said: 'This is my story, and I will tell it as I wanted to tell.'"
She added: "I'm sick and tired of having to make 'disclosures', i.e. What do you see? What do you want to know? It just really infuriates me that it still seems to be... even recently, I did a panel show on ITV, in fact, and it keeps reoccurring throughout the years. After 20 years, they still ask me: Why did I not disclose my story? And I'm like: What story do I have to disclose? Other than just being [me]."
Zelah echoed Nadia's sentiments, saying: "Your identity is in your hands. It's your right to disclose it how you want to. I also completely understand that if you feel the need to disclose, then absolutely go for it as well, because we could all do with representation, right? But it's not on you to necessarily carry that burden if you don't want to... you have the right to choose. And no matter how much bigger this thing feels than you, it is your identity and it's your life. I think it's important for, especially, producers to realise that our transness is the context, not the plot."
Lars Fellows, a star from BBC's I Kissed a Boy who also appeared on the podcast, noted that Nadia, who won by a record-breaking margin in 2004, did not receive the same platform as other Big Brother alumni like Jade Goody or Alison Hammond. In response, Nadia said: "I think they didn't know where to place me and what to do with me. I didn't get the same opportunities as these other people that were part of the show. I wish I had the same opportunities as everybody else, but unfortunately – and it still happens today, lots of discrimination towards our community – but I believe we are in a better place."
She continued: "Did I have to endure a lot of missed opportunities? Yes, I did, but I'm so proud. I'm so proud for being that first glimpse of possibility. And to this day, I still get all of those beautiful messages: 'Nadia, you were my first reference.'"
Nadia and Zelah discussed their journeys as Trans+ participants, a generation apart, on one of Britain's highest-rated reality programmes during a live recording of the QueerAF podcast for Trans+ History Week. The episode was created to launch the tenth anniversary of the QueerAF podcast, developed alongside Trans+ History Week CIC, where LGBTQIA+ creatives have been compensated, mentored, and supplied with audio equipment to produce mini-documentaries marking Trans+ History Week.
Reflecting on the significance of Trans+ History Week, Nadia said: "20 years ago we only had one day, but now we have weeks and months. 20 years ago, we had an annual day, which was Trans Day of Remembrance, and that was the only day that we could remember, we could see ourselves somewhere, and it was all about the passing of others, losing others like myself and ourselves. This is so beautiful. It's important to have these conversations and to keep this momentum going."
The complete season of QueerAF debuts in June, with additional live episodes planned. The episode featuring Nadia and Zelah is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
