So, my issue with Michelle (a bit of a rambling post!)
 

First off, I'm not being a "hater". As someone who was a big Michelle fan in the earlier days, I've grown increasingly disappointed with her as time's progressed. I don't "hate" her, so let's just get that clear. Also, I'm up for a mature, rational discussion with Michelle fans about these issues. If you're only interested in flying into a rage because someone you like is being criticized, save your energy because I have no interest in conversing with people who aren't prepared to actually discuss things. Also, I'm not being biased, I liked Michelle more than Alicia at the time of Bananagate, she wasn't always my favourite. Just wanted to get that out there, I know there are many passionate Michelle fans here.

Right, I loved Michelle at the start, I really did. I didn't even want to judge her by association with Hopkins (though her friendship with her did irk me because I can't stand Hopkins). No, I'm judging Michelle on her own actions. Pre-CBB, she claimed to be supportive of the outcasts and the misfits, to be eager to meet different kinds of people, that she only says harsh things to help the person, and to not say things behind your back.

The first time she disappointed me in the house was, after seeing Alicia take bananas, she mentioned "the dingbat" taking them to some of the others, rather than doing what I'd expect her to do and ask Alicia about it directly. Not only did she expose Alicia behind her back, she stirred up a fair amount of hostility towards her that could have been avoided if she tackled the situation head-on straight away. Worse, later that day, she's happy to sit there and not object while a discussion about Alicia's personal life and appearance goes on. Let's not forget that she and Katie themselves had hidden food, so she played a role in persecuting Alicia for something she has no problem with doing herself.

She annoyed me again when she lectured Alicia about opening her eyes to Perez and not being a victim. What about the way her friends Katie and Cami have spoken about her? I'm no fan of Perez, but the way she doesn't seem to care about their nastiness, yet then takes issue with Alicia being a "victim" irks me.

Then there was when she defended Cami after she suggested Alicia's family didn't love her. People have said she was just defusing the situation, but I'm not sure how essentially telling Alicia "No, those horrid words that you just heard my good friend say never came out of her mouth" diffused anything. She was taking her friend's side, simple.

Most recently, there's been a video posted (last night I think) of Michelle, Katie H and Calum discussing Alicia. Well, I say discussing, it was more mocking. At one point, Michelle even says that she laughs at the expense of people like Alicia, and seems to find Calum's nastiness pretty funny (including when he says that he's embarrassed to be associated with having a conversation with her).

That's basically the problem I have with Michelle right now. She claims to be there for the outcasts and misfits, that she'll always say things to your face, that any cutting remarks from her come from a place of love ... but that's not what I've seen from her in the house. Quite the opposite, actually. I'm not saying she has to like Alicia, but I'd have hoped she wouldn't be a part of the nastiness and hostility towards her.

I've shared my disappointment with Michelle on a few threads, but I had a fair bit to say on the matter and wanted to cite the specific examples of why I feel this way, so decided to make my own thread on it.

Just to be clear, I'm not branding Michelle a bully, I don't think she's a bad person, I don't hate her. I just don't like the way she's acted a few times.

Is that Julian Morris? :lovedup:

excellent post :clap1:

Yes I too don't get her at all she talks the talk but does not always walk the walk

Yes. :cool:

TLTR.

Maybe you should have read my entire title where I give you a clue that it's quite a long post. Might have saved yourself some time. :joker:

:joker: I did honestly, but you said rambling not a bleeding marathon.

I like to actually, you know, explain why I feel a certain way and use examples. Madness, I know. :shocked:

Only joshing. Well done:clap1: I did actually read it, but don;t tell anyone.

I know where you are coming from Lostie. I liked Michelle and had expectations based on what she initially told us all. I believed she was a strong woman but disappointingly she's not.

One thing that initially surprised me about her was her comment about already being a fan of Katie Hopkins and loving her views. Of course, those views could be something other than what I've read or is she also as racist and bigoted as Hopkins?

She doesn't practice what she preaches. She has a huge ego regarding her importance in the gay community and I really wish she would make more effort with her appearance like she promised us all she would.

Good well thought out post Lostie.

I agree with pretty much all of it tbh, I loved Michelle in the beginning, and I never even knew who she was before hand, even had her as my fave on my profile on here but then she started doing things and saying things (just like you have commented on with your post) that disappointed me because I really never expected them from her especially the way she is always going on about being there for the misfits etc.

Like yourself also I don't hate Michelle, hell I don't even dislike her tbh but she is definitely no longer my favourite housemate (I'm struggling to find one of them that is right now).

Thanks! It's good to see that some others are seeing what I am. It is a shame, I think Michelle had a ton of potential to be one of my very favourite CBB housemates in general.

Completely agree with everything you said. I feel at this point I want to like her more then I actually do... but that's not to say I dislike her

Completely agree. When I'm so enthusiastic about a housemate to start with, and then start to feel disappointed in certain aspects of them, I keep waiting for them to do or say something that proves me wrong or makes up for it so I can support them again without overlooking things that I'd notice in those I don't like. I don't want to be like "Well, I liked her so I'll forget about that" if I know it's something I'd be seriously annoyed by in someone else.

As an American and an activist, Michelle may have strong feelings on Freedom of Expression and the First Amendment. Thus she admires Katies willingness to comment and offend, even if she does not believe or agree with the contents.

Americans seem to find this much easier to do than us Brits

I personally like Michelle, perhaps some people may have a different view of her if she was friends of Perez as opposed to a friend of Katie, even if she acted in exactly the same way as she has already until this point.

Oh I know what you mean, I keep waiting for her to redeem herself and be the person I wanted her to be but I think I need to accept the fact that it's not going to happen

Great opening post Lostie, I feel exactly as you do

Thanks Niamh! :)

Can't disagree with any of that, I had forgotton she said she was here for the outcasts and freaks :umm2:

I agree with pretty much everything you've said :flutter:

I was a huge fan of Michelle's before CBB (I still am), but imo one of her biggest problems is also one of her best attributes; she gives so much undying love and attention to underdogs.

Her support for LGBT people/rights is admirable, but I think she's attached herself to the thought of giving people (such as Katie Hopkins) love when it seems the whole word is against them.

I'm not going to deny that Katie H & Michelle's friendship isn't genuine, but I do feel like she's let Katie get away with a lot of things because she already knows that a lot of people give her grief (and rightfully so) on the outside.

It's a shame because Michelle is more than capable of telling people what's right and what's wrong. However, there are instances such as the ones you have stated that Michelle has let slip past.

Another one in agreement here. I think I was expecting too much. I've ended up with a list of those i'm not particularly keen on (hate is such a strong word) and the number on that list is growing all the time. Maybe because of the type of series its been, I just can't say, wow ... that is my favourite housemate.

Totally agree. Biggest disappointment for me, because of her inconsistent approach. I dislike Katie H but at least she is consistent in her condescending attitude.

:clap1:

Nah people who hat Hopkins are just butthurt that she hasn't gone in there and pasted her to the wall.

They're annoyed that she gave Katie a chance to prove herself and she has

They're annoyed that what they wanted to happen (michelle VS Katie) hasn't happened and they're both best friends

Completely agree. I too loved Michelle at first she was my favourite I begun to dislike her when she jumped the bandwagon and associated herself with the VULGAR Katie Hopkins. Michelle also upset me when she called Alicia a dingbat as I do think they've sought her out as an easy target and acted upon it. Michelle is very inconsistent and if I'm honest I think she's playing a game

Great post Lostie. :)

Michelle hasn't really done enough for me to actively dislike her hugely, but she has done enough for me to not really be a big fan either.
Most of the time she seems all right, and I find myself liking her, but there are definitely times like the ones you listed that put me off her a bit.
She's not really as strong,feisty and entertaining as I thought she was going to be either.