An insurance sales trainer, now living in Halifax, N.S., the 38-year-old was chosen from a pool of 10,000 Canadians who auditioned for the reality show that premieres on Slice on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m., Newfoundland time.
Monaghan was unavailable for an interview, as houseguests have already been sequestered. But, in a press release issued this week, he was described as the “hopeless romantic and charming down home east coaster.”
In an online question and answer for the show, Monaghan describes himself as funny, outgoing and honest. He said he wanted to be on the show because he was a fan of the American version and also watched the German installment while living in that country.
“I’d have been a fool not to have tried out for this show because I love it so much,” he said.
Monaghan said he is not taking a strategy into the house because he believes it would set him up to fail. He is also leaving the door open that spending time in a house with 14 others might lead to a love connection.
“What if I meet the woman of my dreams in there?” he said. “Then I want her, not the money. I’m just going to be myself and play a good social game.”
When asked if he would hide anything from other guests, Monaghan said he didn’t want them to know his age — especially the women. He also showed his humorous side in his answers.
“I will not show them my privates — I’m a respectable man,” he said.
The humour continued when he was asked whether the mental or physical challenges will be more difficult for him.
“Hate to say it, but the mental challenges will be harder for me because, even though I won’t admit that I’m getting older, the ol’ memory is getting shaky,” he said. “Physically, I’m golden though. I shouldn’t have any problems with the physical challenges.”
The son of the late Michael Monaghan and Ursula, who still lives in Corner Brook, showed his sentimental side when he was asked to describe his perfect day.
“I lost my dad a few years back, so I’d love nothing more than to play golf with him and my brothers again,” he said. “We’d drink some jars (alcoholic beverages), shoot a few straight lines, and have a barbecue with friends and family.”
Monaghan also admits he doesn’t care for people who are not smart, but tells everybody they are. He also has an issue with people who use words out of context, or the wrong words altogether.
“I have a hard time not correcting those people,” he said.
The 15 guests are about to move into the Big Brother Canada house, outfitted wall-to-wall with cameras and microphones to capture their every move. Hosted by Arisa Cox, the show pits houseguests against one another in a series of challenges, and week-to-week they will vote each other out until one claims victory.
The show will be on three nights a week — Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays — with the eviction shows scheduled for Thursdays.
The houseguests are competing for the grand prize of $100,000, a $25,000 gift card to The Brick, and a new Chevrolet Trax.
churley@thewesternstar.com
Twitter: WS_CoryHurley
Hard to believe our fellow Corner Brookers aren't being supportive...NOT! Ive been watching Big Brother Canada since day one, and have been rooting for Andrew from day one. Not just because he's a Newfie, but if you took the time to watch, you'd see he has a super personality, and certainly doesn't deserve judgement from pity people who didn't even take the time to watch before you passed your superficial judgement. Im proud he's representing us Newfs as opposed to any of you.