Following an action packed week in the Big Brother 16 house we saw Paola Shea become the second member of the cast to be evicted in a 10-2 vote on Thursday night. Now that she’s out of the house she’s learning some surprises and reacting to all the craziness.
Paola had a great energy for our interview and was a lot of fun just as we saw inside the house. While the events leading up to her eviction didn’t leave us much surprise, she’ll definitely be missed for her antics and entertainment.
Matthew Boyer – Big Brother Network (BBN): Your time in the house was brief, but exciting. How did it stack up to your expectations?
Paola Shea: It was definitely different from what I thought it’d be in the beginning. First off, I didn’t think I’d be good friends with someone like Donny or Jocasta. Everyone in the house got along pretty much and I didn’t think that was going to happen. I didn’t think I’d get along with the majority of the house. It was cool that I actually did.
BBN: What would you say was your best move & what was your worst?
Paola: My best move was definitely staying low the first week because people saw a soft and fun side of me instead of the feisty fireball that I am. That’s what saved me the first week.
My worst move was making that deal with Devin.
BBN: Speaking of that deal with Devin, did you actually throw that competition or did you change your mind?
Paola: I definitely changed my mind in the middle of the game. Just because I saw how Brittany was feeling and she had asked me if I was working with Devin. At that point I felt kinda guilty but we were losing already so it was really hard to stay focused and get back on track to winning.
BBN: How did you decide to handle the situation when it came out that maybe you had thrown the competition?
Paola: It was a difficult situation. I do feel for Brittany, but at the time Devin was HoH and I wanted to cater to the HoH. Definitely at the beginning I planned on throwing it, but in the middle I had the change of heart. Brittany didn’t deserve what she got from Devin in the beginning and him bullying her.
I wish I had told Devin at the beginning to “screw off.” But yeah, that’s what happened and that’s why I’m here.
BBN: In the first show we saw the “El Cuatro” alliance of women come together, but by the time the Live Feeds turned on it was over. What happened there that we might not have seen?
Paola: At the start, Joey and Nicole were getting close with the other side of the house with Cody and Hayden. Then Amber and I started getting close with Caleb and Devin. I think that’s kinda what happened. I knew that Nicole wasn’t going to fit in with me and Amber, but more of Christine and that side of the house.
I think Joey really screwed us over with the whole girls alliance thing. So that’s why we were like “no more girls alliance” because Joey blurted it all out.
BBN: The Bomb Squad alliance. Did you detect that in the house?
Paola: I didn’t even know about that. I so hope that everybody is after Devin. I don’t know why I’d be a target to any of them. I’m supposedly the weakest player.
BBN: You were trying to use that as an advantage. Do you think that helped your game to tell people “keep me around, I’m a weak player”?
Paola: I honestly think people thought about keeping me, but at the end of the day the twists are so crazy. The Battle of the Block, they probably want to be partnered up with someone who is a strong competitor, but Zach sucks too. He hasn’t won any competitions. He went to the University of Florida and he spelled “warning.” Are you kidding me? It’s not like he’s a better competitor than I am.
If Brittany hadn’t blown up my spot in the Veto meeting, then I think Zach would have gone home instead of me.
BBN: Frankie was very worried that you’d figure him out since you were both from similar circles back home. Did you ever have any suspicions of who he was?
Paola: No, not at all. I knew he was in theater or an actor, but I never thought he’d be Ariana Grande’s brother.
BBN: Speaking of surprises. What did you think when you discovered Derrick was a cop? Does it change about how you saw him playing the game?
Paola: I just found out about that five minutes ago. I had no idea that Derrick was a cop. I’m really hoping he wasn’t making up anything about having a daughter. [I assured her that was true.] I was really shocked. I believed that he worked in Parks & Rec. It was a good story, but the way he dressed was really nice, so I was like hmmm.
BBN: On the topic of daughters, did you know Devin has a daughter?
Paola: Yes, I knew that Devin has a daughter.
BBN: I’m just teasing. It was a running joke out here that he’d talk about it all the time.
Paola: ALL the time. It was his speech. I can’t stand it. Him and his five personalities. One day he hates everybody then the next he comes down… He gave me Ramen noodles and then he took them back. I think that when I was about to cook it he took it back to his room!
BBN: Now that you’re out of the house and learning more, have you changed your mind on anyone?
Paola: I’m definitely shocked with Derrick. I would have never guessed that he’d be a cop at all. Whatsoever. That’s going to be crazy. Now I’m thinking he’ll probably do well in the game.
BBN: What’s your early prediction for a winner? Will it be Derrick or does someone else have the best chance?
Paola: I’m rooting for Donny, but I think that after finding out that Derrick is a cop, I think he’s got a good shot at making it really, really far.
BBN: Walking away from the game, what’s going to be your favorite memory of Big Brother?
Paola: Definitely being friends with Donny.
BBN: What is next for Paola Shea?
Paola: I have NO idea! I’m still soaking everything in. Obviously I’m going back to DJ’ing cause that is my job so hopefully there are shows lined up cause I haven’t DJ’d in about a month.
BBN: Alright, well thank you Paola. Best of luck with everything and thank you for keeping us entertained!
Paola: Thank you!