Big Brother star to sue ITV after claiming she suffered ‘psychological turmoil’

A contestant from the 2023 series of Big Brother has filed a lawsuit against ITV (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock) A former Big Brother contestant says that she has filed a lawsuit against ITV for her treatment on and after the show. Trish Balusa, who appeared on the reality TV franchise’s 20th series, finished in eighth place, leaving the house on day 35 of the competition. Balusa faced intense scrutiny when a series of social media posts were unearthed after her eviction. She issued a swift apology for the posts – written a decade prior to her Big Brother outing – and said that she was ’embarrassed’ by the sentiments expressed. The 36-year-old is now seeking legal action following housewife Rochelle Rackham’s win last week – believing there to be a double standard in how ITV has responded to allegations of racism. She has accused the broadcaster and its production companies of negligence, breach of contract, and misrepresentation. Trish Balusa exited the house during a double elimination (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Rochelle Rackham’s Big Brother win has caused Balusa to reflect upon her own experience (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) In a statement to Reality Tea, Balusa said: ‘What played out on screen shows exactly how race and identity shape the way a person is treated, received and humanised. ‘I faced a brutal narrative over past comments, so relentless that even the support I was offered fell short. Now I’ve watched a contestant face allegations of discriminatory behaviour, past and present, and be protected, defended and, ultimately crowned by the very public that demanded accountability from me. ‘Britain needs to be honest about how it treats Black women on reality TV. Duty of care training can’t stop at contestants. Producers and production teams must be held to the same standard, or they will keep amplifying the very racism they’re meant to protect us from. ‘Accountability isn’t reserved for participants. Production companies have a duty to protect contestants from others who display harmful behaviour; run a properly-informed and adequate vetting process; and apply a structured, consistent disciplinary process. ‘When they fail on any of these, they must be held accountable, too.’ She described herself as feeling ‘gaslit’ by her experience on the programme, and vindicated by recent events. Balusa’s newfound fame backfired when a series of posts from her past suddenly re-emerged(Picture: Shutterstock) Balusa continued: ‘The accountability everyone demanded of me must now apply to others. ‘What has been an ongoing psychological turmoil for me will now be a legal and financial learning point for those responsible, and hopefully can trigger genuine reform in duty of care, race relations, and reality TV.’ Following accusations of racism and homophobia, Balusa’s invitation to the live final was withdrawn, and she was excluded from any post-eviction appearances. In a subsequent apology, Balusa said: ‘I would like to sincerely apologise for the harmful stereotypes I perpetuated and the pain I have caused to the marginalised communities and groups of people mentioned. ‘I have come a very long way since by educating myself and being educated by others on the impact and harm these views cause.’ She later said that she would have to speak to her young son about the scandal, and how she had been complicit in ‘perpetuating views that are very hurtful for others.’ Balusa was snubbed by ITV and Big Brother after past comments emerged (Picture: Trish Balusa/Instagram) ‘One day I am going to have a conversation with my son about stuff like that,’ she told Indy100. She also admitted that the experience sparked a difficult conversation with her brother, who is transgender. ‘This is a conversation I’m going to have to have with a lot of people who are in those marginalised group that are hurt by the comments that I had made in the past,’ she said. The following year, Balusa alleged that she had experienced discrimination herself, both inside and out of the Big Brother house – and had escalated the complaint to Ofcom. ‘I’m seeking legal representation because I deserve justice,’ Trish told Reality Tea at the time. ‘This is something that will go to court,’ she added, telling the site that she intended to ‘seek justice’ for what had happened. ‘I owe that to myself, and I owe that to my son, and my family, who have all been affected by this,’ she finished. Balusa has found a double-standard in how the show has responded to accusations of racismPicture: Shutterstock) This year, Big Brother sparked another racism row due to sentiments expressed inside the house and on social media by 57-year-old Rackham. This included an exchange with housemate Johanne Cade, who described the encounter as feeling ‘like a microaggression.’ After clashing with Cade earlier in the season, Ofcom received almost 500 complaints from viewers accusing Rackham of racism and bullying. She was also accused of making an offensive comment toward Chinese people which was not aired by ITV. A source told The Sun: ‘The housemates were all talking about takeaways and Rochelle made a shocking, racist comment concerning Chinese people. Obviously this was not aired as part of the edit.’ Another anecdote, characterised as racist, is also believed to have been cut from the show. A series of ‘racist’ moments involving Rackham were reportedly cut from the show (Picture: Shutterstock) An insider said to The Sun: ‘Rochelle was talking to Lynx [Noumey] and some other housemates and told a story about one day when she was on the train.’ During the story, she spoke of seeing a ‘black guy,’ who had been ‘acting weird and muttering to himself.’ According to the tabloid’s source, an offended Noumey spoke to her about the language used, and how it made him feel. He also acknowledged that there had been no intent behind what she’d said. ‘They hugged and she apologised several times, agreeing she didn’t mean anything by it.’ Elsewhere in the series, the mother-of-three has also come under fire for making ‘fat-shaming’ comments towards 19-year-old Millie and insensitive remarks about amputees to fellow housemate Charlotte. Rackham’s own social media activity has come under scrutiny (Picture: Shutterstock) Outside the house, Rackham faced fresh condemnation after a racist social media post unearthed targeting Muslims. A family source said: ‘Eleven years ago, Rochelle reposted a meme on her social media which she later deleted after becoming aware of the offence it could cause.’ The source added that she ‘regretted’ sharing it and would ‘never want to cause anyone hurt or upset’. ‘She would be genuinely sorry to anyone offended by the post, and the language used in it does not reflect her values,’ they concluded. It was claimed that ITV were aware of the post, but decided to allow her to remain inside the house. Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore Metro has contacted ITV for comment on this story. Arrow MORE: Stephen Mulhern ‘buzzing’ for new TV role after worrying health scare Arrow MORE: The Chase star, 66, mugged in surprise daytime theft at London train station Arrow MORE: Dirty Sanchez star Mike ‘Pancho’ Locke dies aged 47 TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.