Julie and Raiza Wilson: Life post Bigg Boss

Raiza Wilson

Raiza Wilson, who was a known face in the modeling scene, is now a registered name in the minds of people in Tamil Nadu. Thanks to her 63-day stint at Bigg Boss, where she was known for her cute expressions and her famous ‘true true’ catchphrase! In a tete-a-tete with us, Raiza shares about her experience spending two months on the show and her future plans.

In the first two weeks, we could see that Raiza was an introvert. “I didn’t know anybody in the house and it obviously took time for me to gel with everyone else. Sometimes, I would want time for myself as it was a new environment. So, I would sit on the couch and have my ‘me time’. But, after two weeks, we were all so involved in our work that I didn’t need so much space anymore,” Raiza began her conversation.

Brought into the show by model coordinator Ajith Menon, the VIP2 actress states that she will hold her Bigg Boss memories close to her heart. She goes on to explain. “People who have closely monitored me on the show can understand that I was friendly with everyone. Every week, I would be close to someone in the house... I didn’t have any fights with them. Even after the show, we have met for dinner and bonded well with each other. And I’d be game to work with all of them in the future!” states the model.

So, what was her biggest takeaway from her Bigg Boss experience? “I learnt not to waste what we have. We lived on a strict budget and started to value and respect everything we have got. Secondly, I now listen to people much more carefully. These days, we are all glued to our mobile phones and don’t pay attention to what the other person conveys.

Inside the house, we had no option but to listen to each other. Naturally, it has become a practice to listen to what the other person is talking to me,” asserts Raiza. Talking about her future plans, she says, “I’ve been getting offers for commercials and films as well. But, I haven’t signed anything yet. I’m looking forward to a script that excites me. I’m overwhelmed to see the love I’m getting and frankly, I didn’t expect such a reception. A big thanks to all those who have supported me!”

Julie

Julie’s introduction on Bigg Boss raised a lot of eyebrows. While some wondered how the ‘Jallikattu girl’ would fit into a group of already established film personas, others were confident that she would bring a commoner’s perspective into the show. She has been constantly receiving a lot of flak from the audience, but has never shied away from putting a smile on her face.

Speaking about her time on the show, she says, “I learnt a great deal — firstly, I understood that one shouldn’t trust anyone blindly and secondly, I learnt that one needs boldness to overcome things in life. When I was talking with Kamal Haasan sir, I told him that I was looking at building a family. Even today, I stand by my statement. I would never let anyone down nor talk behind their back.”

When prodded whether she missed the opportunity to stay in the house for 100 days, she replies, “Oh yes! I would have loved to perform in all those later tasks. That said, I felt Suja was very brave. It’s not easy for a woman to compete in physical tasks like that.” Julie is also proud of the fact that she was the entertainment factor in the house. “You have 24 hours in a day and you need something to keep you occupied. I kept singing, dancing and enacting my favourite scenes. I am glad that I had a major contribution in keeping the house lively,” she asserts.

However, the 23-year-old contestant is sad that she isn’t able to lead a normal life anymore. “My parents are extremely supportive and they have never let me down in spite of the negative comments that were aimed at me. Whenever I go out, people pass comments, but what is depressing is that those who accompany me would also receive a lot of hate. I used to roam around freely, now I feel like I’ve been caged. I miss my the life I lived a few months back.”

But Julie is confident that as time progresses, people’s opinion towards her would change — “I recently danced for a medley of songs at a college culturals. I was on stage and the whole crowd was chanting ‘Oviya Oviya’. Even then I put on a smile on my face. People who hailed me during jallikattu are now cursing me.” She adds, “I hail from a middle-class family and to see fame and so much negativity in such a short time is so difficult. As a human being, it really hurts. But I’m in regular touch with Oviya and there are no misunderstandings.”

Rumours were rife that Julie has been offered to be a host for the show Kalakka Povadhu Yaar . In response, she says, “I’ve been hearing the same but I haven’t received any offer yet. I’m yet to decide what is next in my career,” she concludes.