The producers of Big Brother VIP must have been very pleased with themselves when they nabbed Caitlyn Jenner and Thomas Markle Jr as contestants.
While we are well aware of their controversies, they are no match for their lesser-known co-star Omarosa Manigault Newman.
The 47-year-old may not be well-known in Australia, but in the US, she is a polarising figure. After all, she is a former reality TV star who became a high-ranking political adviser for former US President Donald Trump.
Her journey to our shores has been fraught with drama, which has us thinking she may be the big player to watch on Big Brother VIP – and here is all the evidence why.
How did Omarosa Manigault Newman get her start in politics?
Omarosa was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to a devout Christian family.
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After finishing school, she studied broadcast journalism and graduated from Central State University in 1996.
Her first significant role was in a junior position for former vice-president Al Gore, and she also helped Barack Obama during his first election in her state of Ohio.
Omarosa has also worked for Al Gore and Barack Obama.
(Getty)How did Omarosa Manigault Newman become one of Trump’s most trusted staff?
Omarosa’s confusing and dramatic relationship with Trump kicked off when they met in September 2003.
They clearly formed a tight bond because Omarosa went on to appear on a slew of Trump’s reality shows including The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice. She also created a dating show with the controversial businessman in 2010 called The Ultimate Merger.
When Trump decided to run for president in 2016, he brought Omarosa along with him to help run his campaign. After winning the election, Trump appointed Omarosa as director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison.
Trump became friends with Omarosa in 2003.
(Getty)Why did Omarosa Manigault Newman and Trump fall out?
It was a cabinet coup of sorts in 2017 when a slew of staffers left Trump’s White House. Omarosa was one of them.
However, the real drama didn’t play out until she released her controversial memoir Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House.
The New York Times reported the book “portrayed Mr Trump as a bigot and a misogynist who was in mental decline.”
In response, Trump filed a lawsuit against her for breaching confidentiality agreements, but Omarosa’s lawyer, John Philips, released a statement on her behalf to call the president out for his vengeful lawsuit.
“This was weaponisation of a lawsuit by the White House for retaliation for writing a book — for saying offensive words about Mr. Trump,” he said.
Speaking about Trump’s mental health, Omarosa stated that when she met him he was of sound mind until his time as president.
Their bitter fall out took place publicly.
(Getty)“I’ve done a lot of work around Donald Trump, and there was a time where he was very coherent and could make clear decisions, where he had mastery of his language and ability to communicate – even just clear sentences, clear thoughts,” she said.
In her book, Omarosa also revealed that Trump offered her $15,000 a day to help run his 2020 presidential campaign, which she ultimately turned down.
“I saw that offer as something very disingenuous,” she explained.
“It was time for me to end my relationship with Donald Trump. He wasn’t the same person I met in New York City in 2003. He had changed to this person who I didn’t know.
Is Omarosa Manigault Newman married?
In 2017, Omarosa married a senior pastor from a Floridian Baptist Church called John Allen Newman – they even wed at Trump’s international hotel in Washington.
The Big Brother VIP star was previously married to Aaron Stallworth from 2000 until 2005.
Omarosa photographed with her pastor husband.
(Credit: Instagram)Is Omarosa Manigault Newman set to clash with Caitlyn Jenner?
An insider revealed to People Magazine that Omarosa and Caitlyn go head-to-head during the show regarding their views on LGBTQIA+ issues.
How much is Omarosa Manigault Newman getting paid for Big Brother VIP?
People’s ominous source told the publication that Omarosa is the second-highest-paid cast member.
The source added that Omarosa is making AUD $450,000, while Caitlyn is cashing in AUD $500,000.
It would be a waste to forget to mention that Omarosa was cast as a reality TV villain who was fired every time by Trump – so, this isn’t her first rodeo in the hot seat if she does become Big Brother VIP’s most polarising character.
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