Caitlyn Jenner opens up about transition after almost quitting I’m a Celeb in emotionally-charged first night
Jenner struggled on her first night in the jungle (ITV/I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here)
Caitlyn Jenner opened up about her transition after a tearful first night sleeping on the ground in the I’m a Celebrity jungle.
The former Olympian and member of the Kardashian clan doubted her decision to appear on the reality TV show, which sees celebrities battling through bushtucker trials to earn meals.
Jenner and journalist Kate Garroway were nominated for the very first trial, which involved them being locked inside boxes that were suspended in the air and filled with 50,000 insects and rats.
The task left Jenner shaken, and at 1am in the ‘confessional hut’ she admitted through tears: “First night in the jungle and my head is spinning.
“I’m trying to figure out whether I’m doing the right thing. I’m thinking, you’re 70 years old now, is being here the right way to use my time.
“Should I be home playing with my kids, playing with grandchildren? I mean, I’ve never quit at anything I’ve ever done, [but] I’m standing here and thinking, ‘Maybe it’s time that you learned how to do that.'”
Trial Tease… It’s time for @Caitlyn_Jenner and @kategarraway to take on the first Bushtucker Trial of 2019! ? #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/a3pbmcfoPy
— I’m A Celebrity… (@imacelebrity) November 18, 2019
The next day her head seemed to have cleared as she began to open up with her fellow campmates, sharing her transition experiences with honesty and humour.
“I thought I was gonna transition before I was 40,” she said. “I didn’t want to be an old chick but this is the latter 80s and I never felt like I fit in anywhere.
“I was trying to figure myself out, running around town, driving around town, doing all this kind of stuff. Nobody knew, I never met with anybody.”
When comedian Andrew Maxwell asked what she meant, Jenner explained: “Cross dressing, running around, all that kind of stuff. I had, at that time, a turbo Porsche and it was like the day before Halloween and this car pulled up beside me and it’s my next door neighbour.”
“How’d you style that one out?” asked rugby player James Haskell. Caitlyn laughed: “I said I was going to a Halloween party!”
Her decision to speak about such a personal topic on such a public platform was praised by actor and former I’m A Celebrity contestant John Barrowman on ITV’s companion show, Extra Camp.
Jenner faced her fears in the first bushtucker trial (ITV)
“It’s fascinating because obviously Caitlyn’s transition has been a huge thing in her life and [I’m] so glad that she’s finally the person that she was born to be,” the Doctor Who star said.
“The one thing that I think is great about this also is the fact that on a network TV channel we are watching someone that has gone through that tell that story.
“Now, a lot of people might argue that Caitlyn’s a little bit more privileged than others who are going through their transition, yes that’s an argument you can have,” he continued.
“However, not very often do we get to see this, do we get to hear it from somebody on this kind of platform. I think this is a game changer for the trans community, the fact that we have her on television.
“The trans community at the moment is the part of the LGBTQ+ community that’s suffering because people are attacking them even more-so, so thumbs up for Caitlyn for doing what she’s doing.”
Barrowman praised Jenner for her honesty (ITV)
Bookies say Caitlyn Jenner is joint favourite to win the reality show.
I’m A Celebrity audiences have warmed to Caitlyn Jenner in the first two episodes of the show, slashing the odds of her being crowned Queen of the Jungle from 14/1 to 9/2.
Bookmakers are predicting that she could be joint favourite to win, alongside Capital FM radio host Roman Kemp.
Oddschecker spokesperson Callum Wilson said: “We’re only two shows into this year’s offering of I’m a Celebrity, and Caitlyn Jenner has already made herself a firm fan favourite in the jungle.
“Not scared to open up on the trials and tribulations of her life, the camp last night heard the difficulties Jenner has faced throughout her adult life.
“There’s no doubt her fellow campmates are spellbound by the 70-year-old, but it appears that punters are also. A whopping 24 percent of bets since last night’s show finished have backed her to win – comfortably more than any other contestant.”
