'Big Brother' Alum Gives Reality TV Casting Call Advice
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One of the original reality TV shows is still going strong, and it's coming to Minnesota for its next casting call.
Producers from "Big Brother" will be at the Mall of America on Saturday, casting for the show's 15th season.
Minnesota native Janelle Pierzina is one of the most famous alums of the show, after participating in three of the first 14 seasons.
So we visited her to get some advice for future contestants.
"My normal life isn't to live with 14 other people in a house," she said, "you know, normal life is to be here in Lakeville, Minn., and have a family."
In many ways, Janelle is just like any other mother of a 15-month-old child.
But in others, she's definitely not.
"Of course, I get recognized if I go to the Mall of America or if I'm shopping at the grocery store, and that's always fun," she said.
That's because she's spent more days in the Big Brother house than any other contestant.
"Over the three seasons, I think I have the record -- it's like 178 days," she said.
In season six, she finished in third place. In season 7 All-Stars, she finished third again. And in season 14, she was a coach.
"I actually don't plan on leaving again," she said. "So that was like my last time, and I told them that."
Instead of the Big Brother house, she'll settle back into her Lakeville house with Violet, her husband, Jess, and another baby due in August.
Her and Jess married in the summer of 2010 after first meeting in college at Minnesota-Duluth.
Believe it or not, Jess had never seen the show before they got married.
"We dated for a while when we were younger...reconnected at a wedding...and the rest is history," Janelle said.
Being watched 24-7 can be tiring, but Janelle said most of the time in the Big Brother house is spent talking, and can be boring.
But with so many challenges in the competition, it's important to be physically fit. Her advice to potential contestants: "Start working out now."
And how can Big Brother wannabes catch the producers' eyes? It helps to be outgoing, and to have the whole summer free.
"They love college students, they love people that are single that can take the summer off easy," Janelle said.
She added that's is a great way to spend the summer, and to make extra cash.
Janelle will be at the Big Brother casting call at the Mall of America. It's from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
You have to be at least 21 years old to audition.
Houseguests who win "Big Brother" take home a half-million dollar prize.
