Caitlyn Jenner defends running for Governor of California from hotel quarantine in Australia and says she ‘actually honours her commitments’ ahead of Big Brother VIP appearance
Caitlyn Jenner is facing scrutiny for campaigning for Governor of California from hotel quarantine in Australia – but she insists it’s just proof of her tireless work ethic.
The Republican candidate, 71, is halfway through her two-week stint in quarantine ahead of an appearance on reality show Big Brother VIP, despite the recall election being less than two months away.
She defended her decision to fly to Sydney for a TV commitment, telling Fox News on Sunday that ‘[un]like most politicians, I actually honour my contract.’
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Controversy: Caitlyn Jenner is facing scrutiny for campaigning for Governor of California from hotel quarantine in Australia – but she insists it’s just proof of her tireless work ethic
Jenner spoke to the American media outlet via telephone from her hotel suite in Sydney, where she was last week pictured flicking a cigarette off the balcony.
While the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star wouldn’t confirm her involvement in Big Brother VIP, for which she has reportedly been paid AU$500,000, she did say her visit to Australia had been planned for ‘months’.
‘I have had this on the books, this show that I’m doing down here in Australia, for months and months,’ Jenner explained.
Packed schedule: The Republican candidate, 71, is halfway through her two-week stint in quarantine ahead of an appearance on reality show Big Brother VIP, despite the recall election being less than two months away
The Olympic gold medallist is facing backlash on both sides of the Pacific for her decision to travel from California to Sydney for a reality show.
Many Americans are confused why she would be running for office from overseas as the recall campaign reaches its stretch run.
And Aussies are angry that a spot in hotel quarantine has been given to a foreign celebrity while 30,000 Australians remain stranded overseas due to border closures.
Double duty: Jenner defended her decision to fly to Sydney for a TV commitment, telling Fox News on Sunday that ‘[un]like most politicians, I actually honour my contract’
For her part, Jenner says her campaign team ‘continues to work’ in California while she fulfills her contractual obligations to Channel Seven, the television network that airs Big Brother in Australia.
She claims she will be back ‘at least a week’ before ballots are mailed out to voters.
‘I will be back, and our bus tour will start, and for the next month we will be talking to the people,’ Jenner told Fox News.
A source previously told TMZ Jenner had committed to Big Brother before announcing her bid for Governor of California on April 23, and insisted it would not interfere with her political ambitions stateside.
Plans to return: The Olympic gold medallist claims she will be back ‘at least a week’ before ballots are mailed out to voters. ‘I will be back, and our bus tour will start, and for the next month we will be talking to the people,’ Jenner told Fox News
She is running as a Republican on a platform of making California a more pro-business state with lower taxes and less regulations, as well as closing the border, leading the COVID-19 recovery, and addressing affordable housing and the homelessness crisis.
Her reported trip to Australia threatens to throw a wrench in her already long-shot bid for the governorship.
A major May poll showed Jenner ranked fourth among GOP hopefuls with just 6 percent of support.
Veteran: Caitlyn, who has started her 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine, is no stranger to reality TV, having appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians since 2007. Caitlyn is pictured on the far left, when she was known as Bruce Jenner and living as a man
In that poll, conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Jenner trailed behind Republicans Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego; John Cox, a former candidate for governor in 2018; and Doug Ose, a former congressman.
The poll also showed that only 36 per cent of voters support recalling Newsom, suggesting that he has a good chance of keeping his seat.
Jenner, however, dismissed the results of the poll as ‘outdated’.
New location: Big Brother VIP begins filming at Sydney Olympic Park in the coming weeks. The last two seasons of Big Brother were filmed at a warehouse in Manly (pictured), but producers were forced to relocate after being served an eviction notice
Rage: The international arrival has resulted in anger from Aussies who are prohibited from entering or leaving the country, many of whom have been separated from loved ones since the start of the Covid pandemic. Australians spoke of their rage on social media on Friday
‘Honestly, I’m not concerned about the polling,’ she said, according to Politico. ‘I guarantee you that I am in the lead.’
‘I have a tremendous advantage, obviously because of name recognition.’
Jenner is no stranger to reality TV, having appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians since 2007.
Big Brother VIP is the second celebrity-themed Big Brother format to air in Australia, after a first season was made back in 2002.
Rumored housemates include Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor, Married At First Sight bride Jessika Power and Angela Clancy from last year’s season of Big Brother.
Prior agreement: A source previously told TMZ Jenner had committed to Big Brother before announcing her bid for Governor of California on April 23, and insisted it would not interfere with her political ambitions stateside
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