When I first came to know that Luisa was in the Celebrity Big Brother house, my first thoughts were: "Wow, they are definitely in for a ride". I can't say I was surprised by the news, I would even go as far as saying that, like the businesswoman she keeps telling everyone she is, this was already mapped out and planned from a year ago. There is no denying that Luisa Zissman knew exactly where she wants to go with her public profile.
Touché to her though, there are many people out there who don't know what they are doing tomorrow but Luisa - she has probably got her whole life mapped out. This is a girl who will get what she wants regardless of who comes in the way and will do whatever she needs to do to get where she wants. In the words of Luisa herself, "if you don't like it, do one!"
I was one of the lucky ones (and I use that term loosely) who shared a room with Luisa during The Apprentice. She didn't spend much time in the room; she was either socialising with the rest of the house or getting up to fun and games. By the end of the evening she always had some exciting gossip and news to tell us as a bed time story! Sounds nice, hey?! Well it wasn't always like that.
This is a girl who, as extremely bubbly as she may be, she is also loud, can be inconsiderate, largely comfortable with confrontation and walking around the room naked! She's not all sex and brains (like she says), I did pick up on a softer, calmer and family-orientated side of Luisa amongst all the arguing we did. I can see that away from this reputation and facade that she has created for herself, there is a sensitive side to this go getter and she is a fantastic mum to her gorgeous daughter.
Since The Apprentice Luisa has become a regular name in the tabloids, there is always something controversial or scandalous about her in the headlines. Well, that's one way of confirming a spot within the "celebrity world" but under all these statements of her being a "sex addict", attending "orgies", she still prides herself on being a successful business woman.
Personally I think she feels the need to continuously talk about her businesses to remind people that she has some value and to be taken seriously, giving her free reign to exploit her sexuality to the public. In my eyes, the balance is not enough. It's enough to get people confused about how involved she actually is in business. Luisa may be a credible businesswoman in her industry but is it really her cupcakes that she is known for? Regardless of what people do think, Luisa doesn't hold back when expressing how much she doesn't really care, which may have worked for up until now but being in the Big Brother house, you do need to care... Well, at least a little.
When you are in the public eye, especially as a business woman, there is no doubt you will be labelled as a role model to many women. Being the successful businesswoman she says she is, this is something Luisa would need to take responsibility for. She recently stated on Twitter that: "I'd rather be skinny then a role model" after starving herself to get her body looking perfect for her Dubai holiday.
To be labelled a role model is amazing and so rewarding. When individuals write to me telling me how much of an inspiration my journey and successes have been to them, it is so surreal and makes all the hard work worthwhile for a more selfless reason. I can't imagine thinking why someone wouldn't love to be placed in that role. We are lucky as women that in this day and age it isn't as hard as it used to be to make a strong stand in business and high posts. But that doesn't mean we as women do not have to work extremely hard to continuously prove ourselves.
We have great women in power and business, e.g. Karren Brady, who has recently been awarded a CBE for her services towards women in entrepreneurship. We need to respect that and continue to work as a collective to be taken seriously. Also, we need to be a good example to the younger generation who aspire to us. I do think a lot of this comes with experience and personality. Katie Price entered the business of glamour modelling, for which she became known and very successful for, but that was her business. She has since then moved away from it and is respected in a whole different light by many women. With regards to Luisa, some would say that she uses the title of businesswoman to be taken seriously but use still her sexuality to become popular. Is this really the right way to go?
She does send mixed messages because she does label herself as a businesswoman next to her sex addict title. Fair enough she doesn't really care for what people think of her but all the honesty, rudeness and total lack of respect she is showing in the Big Brother house will get her into a lot of trouble and, as an intelligent businesswoman, I would think she would have evaluated that.
What she doesn't seem to understand is that her ruthless and abrupt attitude might have worked in her favour in The Apprentice because, being a finalist, the edit worked in her favour but CBB is a whole new ball game. She is now dealing with other celebrities, who all have worked hard to get where they are and will not stand for it. I think she will quickly realise from the boos of the crowd and confrontation from her fellow housemates that treating people in this manner is just not cool!
All I can say is "Let the games begin..."