Where is he now?
Star of Big Brother, The Amazing Race meets with fans and talks about his life these days
There’s one scenario that would have Emmett Blois seriously considering a return to Big Brother Canada.
“I would go back for the right kind of season,” said Blois, who fielded questions from fans during a meet-and-greet session at Greenwood Mall recently.
The 30-year-old entrepreneur hailing from Gore, Hants County, said his life is busier than it was when he finished third in the inaugural season of Big Brother Canada at the age of 24, so it’s harder to drop everything for three months to appear on a reality TV show. That said, he’d be game for seeing how he stacked up against the top contenders from the series in an all-stars season.
“I’d go back with the best of the best,” he said.
Blois, who started dating eventual season winner and fellow Nova Scotian entry Jillian MacLaughlin of Pictou County during their time on the show, quickly became a fan favourite during his season. The pair proved to be a powerhouse duo, repeatedly avoiding elimination with Head of Household and Power of Veto wins.
Blois said competition wins were important, but he credits his social game with extending his stay in the game as long as he did after being put on the block and facing elimination from day one.
“I just wanted to be as friendly as possible,” he said, noting that a big part of his strategy was to do more listening than talking.
Blois, who started a tidal bore rafting company and fitness centre following his stints on TV, said good time management practices and being open to new opportunities are things that have served him well in life. That’s how a dairy farmer from rural Hants County wound up in close contention for the grand prize on Big Brother Canada, and later joined MacLaughlin as a team of exes vying for glory on Amazing Race Canada in 2016.
“We’ll always be good friends,” said Blois, when asked if he keeps in touch with MacLaughlin.
Blois said there are few accomplishments that compare to finishing a challenging leg of the Amazing Race, and he’ll never forget facing his fear of heights head-on to propel down the 600foot Calgary Tower.
“One thing I hate more than heights is losing,” he said with a laugh.
Blois teased that after finishing third in Big Brother and second in the Amazing Race, he’s thinking his best shot at a reality TV victory might include a visit to Bachelor Nation.
“I’ve had my fair chances at winning and I can’t seem to win, so maybe I’ll just have to go on The Bachelor. I can’t lose at that one,” he joked.
Brittany Nickerson of Greenwood was excited to get a chance to meet Blois, who she watched on both Big Brother and the Amazing Race.
“He was just one of my favourites ... he was down to earth, from a small town ... and easy to relate to,” she said.
Nickerson was happy to see Blois doesn’t appear to be phased by his time in the spotlight, and said she’d be sure to tune in if he participates in a Big Brother allstars season.
“He’s willing to talk to anybody and answer any questions,” she said.
“I got the impression that he was up for anything ... nothing was left unsaid.”