Ella Rae-Wise opens up about the Celebrity Big Brother house and admits her confusion around speculation of jealously as she gives her verdict on Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa3am
Bex May and Tiffany Wallis Freelance Reporter
08:00, 03 May 2025Updated 08:06, 03 May 2025
Fresh out of the Celebrity Big Brother house, Ella Rae Wise isn’t holding back. She opens up on everything from the Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa drama, including giving her six-word verdict on Jojo’s ‘relationship’ with Chris, saying: “I think they’re still good friends”.
She also details her emotional split from TOWIE co-star Dan Edgar, who she had been in a relationship for 18 months until they suddenly called it quits days before her CBB stint. In a heartfelt interview, the 24-year-old Londoner talks exclusively to OK! about heartbreak, healing, and why CBB felt like therapy.
And now, single and stronger than ever, Ella is ready for her next chapter. She also hints at future TOWIE drama as she refers to “setting the record straight” in the next series. Plus she reveals there’s another reality show that she’d love to take part in one day.
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Ella Rae Wise opens up on everything from the Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa drama in Celebrity Big Brother to her emotional split from TOWIE co-star Dan Edgar(Image: Sofi Adams/REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
How are you feeling now your Celebrity Big Brother experience is over?
Relaxed. Rejuvenated. It was quite overwhelming, but all in all good. When I came out, I spent a few nights at my mum’s. I just chilled out and went back to being a kid. She waited on me hand and foot!
How do you feel about the reaction to you on the show?
I’d say 95% good and 5% not so great. People might have got the wrong end of the stick. But the majority’s been good. I’m proud of myself and glad I did it.
Some viewers thought you were jealous of Chris and JoJo…
Not one bit! God knows where they got that one from. That was a big surprise to me. I wasn’t attracted to Chris in any way, shape or form. I didn’t really understand what I’d be jealous of. That confused me a hell of a lot.
Ella admits her confusion around speculation of jealously as she gives her verdict on Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa(Image: ITV)
What’s your take on Chris and JoJo?
I think they’re still good friends. Hopefully they’ll see each other now she’s back in LA. It’s nice they formed a tight friendship and could lean on each other for support. It’s 100% platonic.
What are you most proud of from your time in the house?
I wasn’t afraid to show my emotions. A lot of people don’t like to do that publicly, but it shows that I feel for myself and others, that I haven’t changed who I am just because I’ve got a platform. And I’ve made some amazing friends.
You did become emotional at times – especially talking about breaking up with Dan Edgar…
I think people forget that I went in after a really fresh break-up. What’s hurtful is hearing people say I split with Dan just to go in there – with some big game plan. That was never the case. Things hadn’t been right for a couple of weeks behind closed doors. It was a mutual decision. We haven’t fallen out, we’re still amicable.
Ella gave her six-word verdict on the Chris and JoJo drama, saying ‘I think they’re still good friends'(Image: ITV)
What do you think went wrong between you?
Sometimes you’re just not right for each other, and that’s OK. A lot of my upset in the house came from what I’d gone through before going in, and having no connection to the outside world – not knowing how he was feeling, or him knowing how I was feeling.
What did you learn about relationships in there?
I thought about how I need to heal from past relationships before I move on to new ones. Maybe the reason I haven’t given 100% to someone else is because I haven’t given 100% to myself yet. I want to create my own path – without a man. I can do it, so why am I not doing that? I’ve been in this showbiz world since I was 18 and I’ve done a lot. I’m 24 now. I should be living my life! If I don’t put myself first, how can I expect anyone else to?
Has your CBB experience changed you?
It was like therapy for me. And it made me realise I need actual therapy, too. It’s hard, especially at my age – people might feel embarrassed to admit they need help. But I’m glad I’ve noticed that before it might be too late to change. Just because we put ourselves in front of the world doesn’t mean we know the world inside out. I was only trying to navigate my way through that house. Maybe I was upset and moaning – but that’s what it does to you! Remember, people only see 45 minutes of a full 24 hours. The public forget that. It’s frustrating.
Ella says CBB made her realise she needs therapy(Image: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
Do you have a favourite memory we didn’t see?
We had untold belly laughs – me, Danny [Beard] and Donna [Preston]. Every night we’d meet in the garden, debrief on the day and absolutely howl. I don’t think you saw that, which is a shame. It probably didn’t make for good TV, but we had so much fun.
Let’s talk TOWIE. The season finale’s just aired. How are you feeling about it?
Watching back my moments with Dan was emotional. I had a lot of feelings and love for him, but if something isn’t right, you don’t stay in it. It’s a blessing we saw that early. I’m looking forward to filming the new series and reuniting with people. It’s time to set the record straight.
What would you like to do next season?
There are things that need to be said, and I hope they will be. People had a lot of opinions, but they only heard one side of the story. That’s not fair.
Ella admits it was hard to go into the CBB house fresh out of her break-up from fellow TOWIE star Dan Edgar(Image: ITV)
You were just 18 when you joined TOWIE – have you changed over the years?
I’ve grown a lot. I’m more headstrong, thicker-skinned, and really grateful for the opportunities and people I’ve met along the way.
What would you tell your younger self?
Ride the wave – there’s a lot of light at the end of the tunnel.
What’s next – would you be up for another reality show?
Definitely! I’d do Love Island in a heartbeat. Everyone’s always said, “Why haven’t you done it?” I think I’d crack it. I love meeting people and I love being around people my age. We’d have the same banter and I’d make new friends.
If you weren’t in showbiz, what would you be doing?
I’m a fully qualified hairdresser. I’ve been qualified since I was 16. It’s a trade I’ll have for life.
How do you see your next chapter?
I want to do it for me, not for anyone else. I want to make myself proud and show people that being emotional on telly was worth it. I’d love to do something with an anti-bullying charity.
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