Shilpa Shetty has lately spoken out about how her experience on the British reality television series Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 not just changed her as a person but revived her career as well. Prior to featuring on the show, Shilpa was already an established face in Bollywood with some impressive performances in movies such as Baazigar, Dhadkan, and Life in a… Metro. But she also had tough times in her career, such as being replaced in movies abruptly and being ignored despite her ability. These were the adversities that she says made her stronger and set her up for what was ahead.
When Shilpa entered Big Brother, she moved into a strange and tough place, away from friends, family, and the security of what she knew. What was most noteworthy about her experience was the racism experienced within the house, which caused worldwide outcry and debate about discrimination. Shilpa maintained her composure throughout and met the negativity with dignity, which gained her worldwide acclaim from viewers. She ultimately went on to win the show with 64% of the public’s vote to become the first Indian celebrity to do so.
Looking back, Shilpa acknowledged that Big Brother was a life-changing experience. Prior to the program, she identified as a shy individual, completely reliant on parents for emotional as well as financial matters, she did not have a credit card until shortly before entering the show. Independently living in Big Brother house taught her a lot of life lessons and instilled in her a feeling of strength and confidence that she had not explored before. She called her victory “poetic justice” and stated that it transformed how India and the globe perceived her, not only as an actress but as a human being.
After winning Big Brother, Shilpa saw a huge rise in international popularity and public image. She gained more recognition not just as an actress but also as a public figure. In the course of time, she diversified her career into many fields, turning out to be a successful entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast, and TV judge on common Indian reality shows such as Super Dancer, Nach Baliye, and India’s Got Talent. Shilpa also gained recognition for her activities in animal rights, women empowerment, and wellness.
In retrospect, Shilpa admits that rejection was important in sculpting her career. She feels that if she hadn’t experienced those initial failures, she might not have been strong enough to survive in the industry being as demanding as it is. The hardships led to development for her, and Celebrity Big Brother was the show where she could finally reintroduce herself, both to the public, and to herself.
