Big Brother contestant Gabe Criste has come out as a gay man.
The 27-year-old shared his news in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, and revealed why he had decided to leave the reality show after just one week.
He shared a photo of himself beaming in front of a rainbow neon light and began: ‘Coming out in more ways than one.’
Pride: Big Brother contestant Gabe Criste has come out as gay and reveals the real reason he chose to leave the show after admitting he was ‘struggling’ with ‘big personalities’ in the house
‘In the days leading up to leaving, I wasn’t as bubbly as I really am and was struggling, losing sleep and my focus being in the game was going.
He admitted that playing the game against such ‘big personalities’ proved to be ‘too much’ for him and ‘ultimately had to choose to put myself first’.
The reality TV star, who hails from Brisbane, said that while his time in the house was short, he enjoyed and embraced every moment of it.
Gabe, a devout Christian who was born in The Philippines, revealed to his housemates he was gay in his first few days as an intruder in the house, but had not yet told his family.
Revelation: He shared a photo of himself beaming in front of a rainbow neon light and began: ‘Coming out in more ways than one.’
‘I told the housemates I was gay and that my family back home didn’t know. Everyone in the house celebrated and accepted me wholeheartedly,’ he wrote.
Gabe thanked the housemates for being supportive and embracing him during his short stint.
He added: ‘I have no regrets, just lessons and the overflowing love and support from the people who matter the most… My family and friends accept me, love me and support me and that’s what matters.’
Supportive: Gabe thanked the housemates for being supportive and embracing him during his short stint. Mary Kalifatidis left a genuine message for the star
Many of his Big Brother co-stars shared their support including Mary Kalifatidis who said: ‘Best of luck gabby, takes a lot of courage to do what you did tonight. But you were true to yourself and did what is best for you.’
Marley Biyendolo said: ‘One of the bravest and strongest things anybody can do, and YOU DID IT! I’m so damn proud of you brother, on and off this show! Keep being an absolute star.’
On Wednesday, Gabe told Big Brother that he wished to leave the house after Charlotte Hall was voted out.
Tough time: On Wednesday, Gabe told Big Brother that he wished to leave the house after Charlotte Hall was voted out. ‘I’m mentally, emotionally and physically struggling in here Big Brother,’ he said
‘I’m mentally, emotionally and physically struggling in here Big Brother,’ he said.
‘I find it hard finding my voice in this house. There’s a lot of loud personalities and I feel like I get smaller when they speak.’
‘I’m not doing well, it’s better for me to leave,’ he admitted.
Finding his voice: ‘I find it hard finding my voice in this house. There’s a lot of loud personalities and I feel like I get smaller when they speak,’ he said
