Was it all a strategy? Big Brother’s Natalie Negrotti is totally A-OK if she doesn’t pursue a romantic relationship with her castmate James Huling outside the house. The former NFL cheerleader, who was evicted during the September 8 episode, opened up about the pair’s showmance in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly.
“He’s caring, he’s understanding and he’s an all-around good guy with good character. He has the best character out of any guy I have ever met. I would love to be in a relationship with James. He is everything I look for in a partner. He is the ying to my yang,” Natalie, 26, tells Us. “He is in Texas and I am in the Northeast. If we are compatible outside the house, it would be great to be in a relationship. If not, I am happy being friends.”
Natalie and the BB vet, 32, rarely showed off PDA during season 18. Natalie often considered James her soulmate, but her intentions were questioned after she blamed him when she was put on the block. The tension led to a blowout, with James accusing her of using him to get further in the game.
“It was a very heartbreaking experience for me. Of course, I was bitter going home. We are all in this game to win the money,” Natalie, now the sixth juror, tells Us. “At the end of the day, I said things I didn’t mean. I never wanted to hurt him or throw him under the bus. I campaigned to keep him. I am happy he stayed and I have no bitter feelings.”
Despite the fight, Natalie doesn’t regret coupling up during the CBS series. “I met James and he is so, so special to me,” she says. “This season being in a showmance was good.”
For more with Natalie, read the rest of her Q&A below.
US WEEKLY: Did you ever play dumb to fly under the radar?
NATALIE NEGROTTI: To be honest, I came in being myself. Playing the ditzy card got me really far. I would just be more cautious of who I worked with and things that I have said.
US: Would you be in a showmance again if you played another season?
NN: I would definitely do a showmance again if it was James and we were playing together. Other than that, I do not see myself playing in a showmance.
US: Besides James, who would you want to see win?
NN: I would love to see Nicole [Franzel] and Victor [Arroyo] make it far in the game.
US: What was your favorite competitions?
NN: My favorite comps were the black box because I won HOH and I had a pulled neck. I was superproud of myself and I loved it. I also really like the MacGyver comp. I am really good at being a spy. If Corey [Brooks] didn’t beat me to it, I would have won the veto … that I would have used on James.
US: What were your least favorite?
NN: The ones I least liked were Ready, Set, Wow and all of the math comps. I don’t do math. I don’t like mental comps either.
US: Are you really this peppy in real life?
NN: Yes! I am even peppier in real life. I am very energetic. I love to be positive and giving. This is just my personality. This is me. My friends at home will tell you that I am very wild and very hyper all the time. I am human and I do have my down/sad moments but I always try and stay positive.
The next Big Brother airs on CBS Tuesday, September 13, at 8 p.m. ET.
Relive Natalie’s eviction and her argument with James in the videos above!
