BIG BROTHER'S WINNER COCO POST GAME RETROSPECTIVE

Fresh out of the Big Brother Australia 2025 house, Coco reflects on the whirlwind journey that saw her crowned the winner after a fast, emotionally charged 30-day sprint. Still processing the magnitude of it all, Coco opens up about the shock of winning, the pressure of the finale and the moment that truly broke Australia being reunited with her three children on live television.

In this raw and deeply personal chat, Coco talks about leaving her kids behind to take the biggest gamble of her life, the guilt that followed and why she believes that leap ultimately changed her family’s future forever. She explains why her win was never about strategy but about standing tall for parents everywhere who feel scared to choose themselves.

We dive into her slow-burn connection with Bruce, why it developed so naturally inside the pressure-cooker of the house and whether she genuinely sees a future for the pair outside the Big Brother bubble. Coco also responds to the critics who labelled her relationship and even her motherhood as “gameplay”, firmly shutting down the so-called “single mum card” narrative once and for all.

Coco also reveals there was a genuine sliding doors moment during the Suzuki finale temptation where she almost stood up. A decision that would have cost her the win. She explains why, in that moment, all she truly wanted was to go home and be with her children.

Beyond the romance and reward, Coco opens up about the complicated dynamics with Holly, including the fallout from Holly’s savage exit message and what really happened at the reunion. She also reveals which housemates she’ll stay closest to in the real world, who surprised her the most and who she absolutely could never live with again.

The episode wraps with Coco reflecting on how winning has already shifted her mindset as a parent, the relief of financial security, her hopes for the future and why this Christmas will be the most meaningful one her family has ever had.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

2:10 – The moment she won
Coco relives the shock of being announced the winner, why it still hasn’t fully sunk in and the emotional chaos that followed the live finale.

3:25 – The reunion that broke Australia
Coco opens up about seeing her three kids on stage, the heartbreak of having to let them go again after just 20 minutes and the promise she made that she was finally coming home for good.

5:10 – Leaving her kids to chase a dream
Why entering the house was the hardest decision of her life, the guilt she carried and why she still believes it was the right choice.

6:30 – The slow-burn with Bruce
How their relationship developed unexpectedly, why it intensified so quickly in confinement and whether Coco can actually see a future with him in the real world.

8:05 – Was the romance strategy?
Coco shuts down claims that her connection with Bruce was gameplay and explains why she barely had time to strategise anything inside the house.

9:20 – Two women in the finale
Coco reflects on sharing the final moment with Emily, the emotional bathroom break before the announcement and why that night meant more than just a win.

10:45 – Who she’s staying in touch with
The three housemates Coco knows will remain in her life long after the cameras stopped rolling.

11:35 – Muting negativity & post-show boundaries
Why Coco is choosing peace over conflict now that she’s out of the house.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's in the news today, but it was actually on
TV Reload the podcast last week Their Life Getay.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Guys.

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome back to TV Reload and today's episode is a
very special one because I am joined by a lady
who didn't just survive the Big Brother House, she conquered it.
After a fast, fierce, thirty day sprint, Coco was crowned
the winner of Big Brother Australia twenty twenty five, walking
away with one hundred and thirty five thousand dollars prize
money and one of the most emotional post show reunions

(00:29):
that we have ever seen. From day one, Coco entered
the Big Brother House as a single mum, taking the
biggest leap of her life, driven by determination to change
her and her kid's future, and while some questioned her
decision to leave three small kids at home, others voted
with a fury, ultimately connecting with Coco's honesty, her vulnerability,

(00:51):
and the way that she never stopped putting her family
at the center of everything that she did. In this chat,
you'll hear Coco open up about the overwhelming reunion with
her three kids on the finale stage. We also unpacked
the slow burned connection with Bruce and whether she can
actually see that relationship surviving outside of the Big Brother bubble,

(01:12):
plus the backlash around the so called single mom card
and why she says that narrative never once played a
factor into her gameplay. We talk about the pressure of
that Suzuki finale temptation, including a sliding doors moment where
she admits that she almost stood up which would have
seen her not being crowned as the Big Brother winner.
We also discuss who she genuinely will stay in contact

(01:33):
with now the game is over. There's also been a
lot of commentary about Holly's savage message to Coco during
the series, and I of course will ask what that
reunion look like with Holly being there at the finale.
Coco is funny, honest, overwhelmed at times in the best
way possible. So, guys, I would like to welcome the
winner of Big Brother Australia twenty twenty five, Coco, to

(01:53):
the podcast. Hello Coco, Hello, Hello, have you still got
your voice?

Speaker 3 (02:00):
God?

Speaker 2 (02:00):
I just did a little just then.

Speaker 1 (02:02):
I'm a professional throat clearer, So let's just put a
tally board up.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
It's happening.

Speaker 1 (02:07):
Someone told me the other day it was a neurodivergency.
But anyway, that's a different podcast. That's a different podcast. Oh,
congratulations on winning Big Brother twenty twenty five. How incredible, Well.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 3 (02:19):
Still in so much disbelief. I yeah, it hasn't quite
sunk in just yet. A lot's been happening.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Well what has been happening? Tell me now, You've had
a whole.

Speaker 2 (02:28):
Day, lots of I've been on I went on a
water slide today. That was quite fun. Okay, got in
the water. Yeah, just a lot of talking today. But
looking forward to going home tomorrow and being with my babies,
that's for sure.

Speaker 1 (02:41):
Well, this season was a thirty day sprint, and not
like the old school Big Brother that's like eighty seven
ninety seven days. How do you think you would have
gone for another fifty days, my friend?

Speaker 2 (02:52):
Oh, I don't know if I could have sucked that out.

Speaker 3 (02:54):
Hey, four weeks in that place felt like four months.

Speaker 2 (02:57):
So yeah, no, I don't know if I could have
done that. But I'm stoked. It was just a spree.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
Absolutely. You know. Let's talk about the moment that everyone
is still talking about from watching that finale, and that
is seeing you there being reunited with your three children.
They seemed incredibly emotional. How are they today?

Speaker 2 (03:15):
Oh, I haven't seen them today. I only got to
spend twenty minutes with them last night before I was
scooped away.

Speaker 3 (03:20):
So they were super super emotional on the stage. I
mean like you could see my son just grabbing my
leg like they were like electionally little kohalabz.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
It was super hard to go of them again.

Speaker 3 (03:31):
But I have reassured them I'm not going back into
the Big brotherhouse and I'll be home literally within the
next forty eight hours, and I can not wait.

Speaker 1 (03:38):
Did they quite understand though, what Big Brother was? Because
I was actually standing with your three kids. They were
very excited watching it right up until your announcement, and
that's where your elders started to cry. And I think
the other two watched him start to cry. They cry,
and then they cried. They're like, why is big brother crying?
I mean our big brother, not big yet, you know
what I'm saying.

Speaker 3 (03:58):
No, absolutely, And look for the young two, they probably
didn't quite comprehend it.

Speaker 2 (04:03):
They watched me every single night.

Speaker 3 (04:05):
But my eldest I think he was more he was
more understanding about what was going on and like it
was the most difficult decision on while I've ever to
take that leap and back myself and make the decision
to go into.

Speaker 2 (04:19):
The Big brother House.

Speaker 3 (04:20):
But I mean in doing so, look I've come out
on top and I could have been more proud of
my three little babies and myself, I guess in taking
that leap.

Speaker 1 (04:28):
Yeah, absolutely everyone gets the Christmas gift this year.

Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yes, I know, and like it's insane. They're like literally
already like can we get this? Can we get that?
I'm like, whoa whooa up, Hold on a second, it's
going to.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Be a good crissy, absolutely all right, we need to
unpack the Bruce of the situation. Sure, Okay, So on
screen you called him a beautiful soul and there was
definitely some chemistry. Well that's what I think, and I
think a lot of Australia saw the chemistry build. How
are you sitting with Bruce at the moment.

Speaker 3 (05:00):
Look, Bruce and I we are just like taking it slow.
It's been such a slow burn throughout the whole season
of that, Like it was literally we both didn't want it,
and then it just we gravitated towards each other.

Speaker 2 (05:12):
And I'm sure you've seen the ups of the downs.
It is used in such a.

Speaker 3 (05:16):
Confined space, like things, little things become big things.

Speaker 2 (05:19):
And I think toward the end.

Speaker 3 (05:21):
Of the show that was Bruce coming out like into
his true self, Like he's such a beautiful person. But
I'm just looking forward to getting to know him a
bit better without the audience and without the mix on.

Speaker 1 (05:31):
To be honest, Well, yeah, do you think it would
be different though, Like, do you actually think that the
relationship with him? I mean, let's go with speed. Remember
Sandra Bullock and in speech she was like, relationships based
on really intense situations never work out. So I guess
we need to think about this. Could you imagine? Can
you imagine outside of the Big Brother bubble actually being
with this man like long term?

Speaker 3 (05:53):
Look, I really haven't put to so that I literally haven't,
like barely had times scratch for yourself, mate.

Speaker 1 (06:00):
The pajama position for you, you're still wrapping your head
around the whole thing. I'm in the I'm in the
Coco pajama position asking you girly girl question.

Speaker 3 (06:09):
Look, yeah, look, I think I think for sure, I know,
like you know, he's an attractive guy, but I think,
like what I found over time is that we are
we do have a lot in common. And I mean,
he's funny and he's got some serious, like endearing qualities
that I really love.

Speaker 2 (06:24):
And I guess I just got to get to know
him a bit.

Speaker 3 (06:26):
But before I can actually give you, like, you know,
a really clear answer on that one, mate.

Speaker 1 (06:31):
I met the parents. I met his parents, his mom
and dad super super lovely, stood next to them the
whole time. Anyway, we're getting ahead of ourselves. But if
you want to have a mother and father in law,
I would say, I've auditioned them for you and sign
him up.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
Have you you legends? Love that for me? Cheers, mate?

Speaker 3 (06:50):
You know.

Speaker 1 (06:51):
I did also ask the kids. I said what do
you think of Bruce? And they shook their heads quite
violently and said no way. But they were absolutely not
up for it. And every time that people were screaming
and watching packages of you and Bruce together, they were
like no, they were like no, that was like the
Antichrist projective of me, of their mama bear.

Speaker 2 (07:13):
Yeah, yeah, I love that. That's actually hilarious.

Speaker 1 (07:17):
Well, fans love a showmance, Like you know, I'm going
to move on to this because you know, fans do
love a showmance, but they also are very skeptical. What
do you have to say to the people who think
that maybe your romance inside the house could have been strategy.

Speaker 3 (07:31):
Oh look, I feel like my true self really transpired
on screen. I didn't have time just strategize even how
to play the game. So I mean the same goes
for strategizing a relationship in such a small, confined space
and like a small amount of time. I really, yeah,
I disagree.

Speaker 1 (07:48):
Okay, And you know the thing that everyone's talking about
as well today is Emily being the runner up. People
were saying she might not have got a moment on stage,
which is fine. You know, it's very hard to very
tightly packed live TV show. I'm more curious about as
women being two women still left in the finale, which
is amazing. What was the conversation like between the two
of you before the announcement?

Speaker 2 (08:09):
It was so beautiful.

Speaker 3 (08:11):
That was like one of my favorite moments of all time.
I mean I even ran to the loo at one
stage because we had a quick moment and I left
the door open and everything else.

Speaker 2 (08:20):
It's just dust in here. Am like, I'm not even
shutting the toilet door. It was fabulous.

Speaker 3 (08:24):
I was like with that on the couch and it
just felt like, you know, we both had one in
that moment, like just two women sitting there.

Speaker 2 (08:30):
It was so beautiful and she's such a beautiful, beautiful woman.

Speaker 3 (08:33):
I wasn't aware that she didn't get an interview because
obviously I was still in the house. But I caught
up with them today, went on a ride.

Speaker 2 (08:40):
At dream World and everything seems fine.

Speaker 1 (08:42):
High school amazing. I saw it there. I had a
chat with her. She was beautiful, I meant her partner
as well. Also lovely man.

Speaker 2 (08:48):
Yay, lovely the vine.

Speaker 1 (08:50):
Outside of the house. Now though, who are you genuinely
planning on keeping in touch with? Because can you pick
three housemates that you can see yourself still chatting two
and twelve month?

Speaker 2 (09:00):
Oh?

Speaker 3 (09:00):
Absolutely, A Lana, am and brute Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah absolutely.
I feel like Connor is such a legend as well,
Like I mean, we had our moments because you know,
we're in where where we're just not, like write the
right two people to live together, but I mean, as
a mate is an absolute legend. So yeah, I think
Connor as well is definitely up there.

Speaker 1 (09:20):
And be honest about this is there anyone that you've
already contemplated muting on Instagram?

Speaker 2 (09:25):
Ah haha.

Speaker 3 (09:26):
Look, I've decided to keep all the conflict and all
the negativity. I'm just decided to leave it in the
Big Brother House. It's water off at Duck's back here. Mate,
I'm like, I'm just gonna move through with positivity and
I'm not gonna carry any of Yeah, those those vibes
with me out of the house.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
Because a lot of people are talking about this and
it's something you can't really avoid. And that's you know,
the last time you interacted with Holly, she kind of
left you an exit message which was like, you know,
the bomb went off. She said that you were the
reason why she doesn't really trust females. God, we're getting
very boosy here. What was the reunion like last night
with Holly? Did it feel very different being outside of
the house and did you have a bit of a

(10:04):
factory reset?

Speaker 3 (10:05):
No, I didn't actually see I didn't even get a
chance to speak to Holly last night. I was literally
scooped away before I could even speak to anyone. So look,
I don't as I've said time and time again, I
don't have anything negative to say about Hollywood. Just two
very different individuals and our values are very they don't
really align. And yeah, that's just the way the cookie crumbles,

(10:26):
I think.

Speaker 1 (10:26):
And you know, the finale really had a bit sort
of packed a punch with this whole Suzuki Jimmy A XL.
Do you think that there was a possibility of you
standing up and was there a sliding doors moment where
you might have taken the car? And not one?

Speaker 3 (10:39):
Absolutely, because but there just wasn't enough time, Like if
there was like a like.

Speaker 2 (10:45):
Ten minutes, I probably would have.

Speaker 3 (10:46):
It's just in those moments, Big Brother does it so
quickly and my mind just goes like it's just baffled.
I don't really know what to do in those moments.
The same thing when Aviola took to fifteen K. I mean,
if that was another like five minutes on that, I
probably would have taken that. In that moment, I just
wanted to go home and here with my kids. So
I mean, look at the end of the day, I didn't,

(11:07):
and yeah, look here we are.

Speaker 1 (11:09):
Do you think that the Bruce and LUNs maybe didn't.
I mean, do you think that they did stand up?
Because they genuinely thought they weren't gonna win that. Do
you think that they thought there's no way I can
go up against Coco, Colin and Emily.

Speaker 3 (11:21):
Look, I know, I know Bruce loves a Jimney, so
I think he's maybe that's what he that's how he
was thinking. But yeah, look, Lan's LUNs at her moments
where she wasn't back in herself real hard, and I
think she thought, you know what, like this is, this
is a great option.

Speaker 1 (11:36):
Well good on him, you know, good on her for
taking that car. I can't wait to see that.

Speaker 2 (11:39):
I'm so happy for her.

Speaker 1 (11:41):
I'm so thought that on Instagram. I feel like we've
already put a like on it. Yeah, when you hear
people starting to talk about this, and you've probably not
had a chance to see it, but there was a
lot of commentary about playing the single mum card and
people talking about this, and I feel like it's remissive
me not to sort of unpack this with you. Do
you think if you hadn't talked about the kids and
about your life, that you would have been able to

(12:02):
win this show with game play, with you know what
you brought into the show.

Speaker 3 (12:06):
Well, yeah, possibly I could have, But for me I
was actually standing tall for all the all of the parents,
not just the single ones out there, to you know,
feel enlightened and feel empowered to you know, not say
no to things and take an opportunity when there is
one at hand. And I think for me, it was
more so allowing those people than the viewers to watching.

(12:28):
You know, you came back yourself and you are allowed
to do these sorts of things. And for me, you know,
I feel really really happy with the way that I
producted myself with with was never a strategy. It wasn't
a card that I was using to play play at all.
But that's my story and it's my truth, and I

(12:48):
thought that's the way that that's.

Speaker 2 (12:49):
How I wanted to wanted to you know, go into
the house.

Speaker 1 (12:52):
And yeah, it's always an awkward question because I'm always
asking the things that people want to know, and I'm like, oh,
it's kind of a brutal thing, but it's a great
thing to be able to put clarity into that for
people and put a stop to people's thoughts and feelings
about it. Do you know where I'm coming from when
I say something like that, absolutely?

Speaker 2 (13:09):
And I think, you know, no one's walked the day
in my shoes.

Speaker 3 (13:13):
So at the end of the day, I led with
my heart and yeah, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Speaker 1 (13:17):
Well, let's talk about the price money. Have you thought
about spending any of it? Maybe a Chico rolled down
at the servo, I don't know, maybe some met how
did you go?

Speaker 2 (13:25):
Big bloody casters are the meat fire would do me good.
But look, at the end of.

Speaker 3 (13:30):
The day, as I've said, you know, this Christmas I
get my kids.

Speaker 2 (13:35):
Last Christmas was a really.

Speaker 3 (13:36):
Hard one for me, and this Christmas is going to
be a hell of a lot different. But that money
is to go towards mine and my kids future, so
you know, and for them to have a present mum.
That stress can get on top of you at times,
and this is just you know, yeah, it's going to
give me, give me that time to have and with
my kids and be more present and for them.

Speaker 1 (13:57):
So well, as I'm running out of time, I'm going
to give you some rapid fire questions.

Speaker 3 (14:01):
Yeah that's good.

Speaker 1 (14:02):
Yeah, let's do it. Most underrated housemates.

Speaker 2 (14:05):
A most underrated housemates? Oh, probably probably Bruce.

Speaker 1 (14:12):
Okay, I think you know people might agree with that.
I'm going to move on. What about the most chaotic housemate.
Who would that go to? Might be obvious that's Colin? Okay,
who played do you think the best game in terms
of trying to win this thing? Who would you never
want to live with ever again?

Speaker 2 (14:29):
Jade? That's a hard one.

Speaker 1 (14:31):
Just throw it out there.

Speaker 2 (14:32):
There's a few of them.

Speaker 1 (14:33):
Okay, let's just have let's have three.

Speaker 2 (14:37):
Here we go.

Speaker 3 (14:38):
Yeah, look, you just can't live with some people, I think,
And they probably could have lived with Colin to be honest,
because he farts everywhere.

Speaker 1 (14:45):
Okay, well that's a good one. Who surprised you the
most in a good way?

Speaker 2 (14:49):
If you surprised me the most in a good way?

Speaker 3 (14:51):
Houses I'm almost forgetting their names now, like my brain's
not working.

Speaker 1 (14:55):
I've already forgotten everyone that I lived with for the
last four weeks.

Speaker 2 (14:58):
Yes than Connor.

Speaker 3 (14:59):
Okay, she's just like a walking encyclopedia, that dude, Like
you could ask him anything and he'd tell you the answer.

Speaker 1 (15:05):
Okay. And then if you could take anyone on any
one of your housemates on a family holiday with your kids,
who would you choose?

Speaker 2 (15:12):
And why? Alana?

Speaker 3 (15:13):
Because she's an absolutely amazing, amazing human bee And yeah,
look She's just so loving, nurturing and caring, like she's
just my mama in now.

Speaker 2 (15:23):
So that's who I would take now.

Speaker 1 (15:25):
I trust her with my children and my fur babies.

Speaker 2 (15:29):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (15:29):
I finished the podcast with this question, what is something
from behind the scenes that have to be very quick?
Everyone wants to know about the fact that you said
that you left the house without Bruce's phone number. And
I'm assuming today considering that Bruce has added me on Instagram,
he's had time to add your phone number. Can you
tell me what's the first text message between the two
of you?

Speaker 2 (15:49):
You haven't actually no, we actually don't have each other's
numbers yet.

Speaker 1 (15:51):
What I know?

Speaker 2 (15:52):
What the hell I need to get onto that?

Speaker 1 (15:54):
Okay, you need to workshop this with me. What are
you going to text him? Like first text message to Bruce?

Speaker 3 (15:58):
Boy?

Speaker 2 (15:59):
Get me to do.

Speaker 1 (16:02):
He's a good looking rooster. I think i'd be asking
for something else anyway.

Speaker 2 (16:09):
I'll bet him a lay by actually.

Speaker 1 (16:11):
Amazing, Okay, put him on labor. Yeah, well, Coco, can
I just say congratulations again on taking this out? You know,
it's an amazing thing to be able to go in there,
put yourself out there and win something like this and
know that Australia has backed you. I can't wait to
see what you want to do with this journey. But
I also can't wait to hear that you had some

(16:32):
time to unpack things with your kids and get back
to normal life.

Speaker 3 (16:35):
Thank you so much, Thanks so much for having me.

Speaker 1 (16:38):
Oh my god, this is the fastest interview I feel
like I've ever done. I feel like I needed to
have my ADHD medication before.

Speaker 2 (16:43):
You're fabulous. Don't even worried.

Speaker 1 (16:46):
Enjoy the ride, Coco. There was a privilege and a
pleasure to chat with you, and so lovely to see
your family. And by the way, when I saw your
sister last night, as soon as I saw her, she said, why,
who do you think is going to win? And I said,
I've picked every winner of Big Brothers since it started,
and I said, your sister will win. And she looked
at me and she was like what. And then when
you won, I turned around and gave her the thumbs

(17:07):
up and she was thank you. She was bewildered. Bewildered,
and I love I love that. Anyway, I've got to
let you go because I'm overtime, but all the very
best and and much love to you.

Speaker 2 (17:18):
Alright, you see you later.

Speaker 1 (17:19):
She's Bunny,