Zoé opens up about her rapprochement with Alexis in “Secret Story”

First candidate of the season to enter the house of secrets ” Secret Story “ on April 23, Zoe Brunet was one of the favorites for the final victory. TV presenter in Belgium for RTBF, this 24-year-old young woman made herself known in 2018 by obtaining the sash of first runner-up to Miss Belgium then finishing in the top 20 of Miss Universe .

It is this participation in the international beauty contest that Zoé used as a secret to defend within the framework of the game produced by Endemol. A sunny, funny and endearing personality, the pretty Belgian from Jemeppe-sur-Sambre, between Charleroi and Namur, owes her elimination to a collegial vote between the last seven candidates, like a “Koh-Lanta” council.

Read also“Since “Secret Story”, I have been going through castings and contracts”: actress Anaïs Munoz recounts her experience

LE FIGARO. – How did you find yourself in this casting of “Secret Story”?
Zoe BRUNET. – Production came to find me, it was not me who applied directly. Initially, I refused and then it was explained to me that the show would be more focused on gaming and strategy compared to previous editions. That it would no longer be stories of clashes with people shouting in every direction. As I am a player and a competitor, I ended up accepting.

Have you ever watched “Secret Story” in the past?
Yes, I knew it very well, I had followed everything. And it’s precisely because I knew the show well that I didn’t want to go there. At first, I didn’t want to be in the middle of settling scores. I was convinced by the new formula put in place.

What did you expect from your participation in “Secret Story”?
I already have a foot in the media in Belgium, this was the opportunity to make myself known in France. This could only be positive for me. I would like to liven up and bring my little Belgian touch to France.

“It was my dream to participate in Miss Universe but I never thought I would be able to fulfill it one day at the age of 18”

Zoe Brunet

How did your employer react to your decision to take time off to participate in a game on TF1?
RTBF was initially mixed because I was moving to a competing channel in France. There were discussions beforehand and it was finally accepted. My managers trusted me. The notoriety that I could acquire in France could also be beneficial for the channel upon my return.

Your secret is related to your past as a miss, what attracted you to this environment?
As with “Secret Story”, I was contacted by the organizers of the Miss Belgium competition when I was only 17 years old. I had launched myself into the unknown and I immediately loved it. I only remember the positive things from it. Being Miss Belgium is not just about physics, you learn a lot of things. I was only a teenager, it was an experience that helped me mature.

You were Miss Namur 2018, first runner-up to Miss Belgium 2018 and top 20 at Miss Universe 2018, did you expect such a journey?
It was my dream to participate in Miss Universe but I never thought I would be able to fulfill it one day at the age of 18. I was a young woman who didn’t have confidence in herself at the time and I found myself on a catwalk walking in a bikini with six-inch heels. I had a lucky star above my head.

France was represented by Éva Colas who had left her mark despite herself by losing her voice while shouting the word “France” during his presentation…
The poor ! She was my adventure buddy in the same way as Miss Haiti, the three of us were there all the time. During my presentation, everyone told me to chant “Belgium” and, stubborn as I am, I brought out a little “Belgium” instead! (Laughs.)

“I had already seen Alexis on social networks before “Secret Story””

Zoe Brunet

With the notoriety, were you not afraid of being recognized in “Secret Story”?
That was my biggest fear, I kept talking about it during my casting. I told myself that if I managed to get through the first day without being recognized, I would have done the hardest part. When I found out that there was another Belgian candidate in the game, I was very scared. And it turns out that Maxime recognized me…

In your shows, you are interested in trends, celebrities and influencers. Did you recognize any candidates in the House of Secrets?
To be honest, I had already seen Alexis on social networks. I also shot a sequence a year ago on the Quoicoubeh phenomenon. It was Cameron’s secret but I didn’t recognize it at all otherwise I wouldn’t have hesitated to buzz his secret.

How did you experience being locked in the house of secrets?
The first two weeks were very hard because I had no reference points and I couldn’t really figure out who I was anymore. You had to get to know each other and live 24/7 with strangers in a house. I asked myself a thousand questions, I wondered if my loved ones were thinking of me and if they were happy with me. It was difficult to have no contact. And then we end up adapting and thinking less outside…

“I didn’t think that my rapprochement with Alexis was going to make such a mess outside”

Zoe Brunet

Are you surprised to discover that your rapprochement with Alexis make so much talk?
Yes and no because the images are there and it’s really me. People saw that I got closer to Alexis but I didn’t think it was going to make such a mess outside. In “Secret Story”, we are in our bubble, we do not know what is seen or not. I understood when I left that my private life had been exposed on the Internet. It was said that we were in a relationship with Alexis even though that was not our feeling in the house.

It must have been difficult for your boyfriend too…
It was super complicated for him and I totally understand that. It’s logical that he takes it badly. In his place, I would have lost control too.

What will your after “Secret Story” look like?
I’m letting myself be carried away for the moment, trying to get my bearings because I’m still a little lost. I need to find myself before considering what happens next.