Attitude Awards 2025: I Kissed A Boy’s Lars Fellows defends ‘inspiration’ Zelah Glasson after he was misgendered on Big Brother (EXCLUSIVE)
Lars, a gay trans man, praised Zelah for his representation on screen, giving his take on the challenging watch during last night's (7 October) episode
By Callum Wells
I Kissed A Boy‘s Lars Fellows has defended Big Brother‘s Zelah Glasson, calling him “an inspiration” after he was misgendered by Caroline Monk on the ITV show.
Lars, a gay trans man, praised Zelah for his representation on screen, giving his take on the challenging watch during last night’s (7 October) episode.
Monk was issued a formal warning by Big Brother for using “offensive” and “unacceptable” language, misgendering transgender housemate Glasson and asking questions about his genitals.
“It’s just another example of people not really fully understanding the trans experience” – I Kissed A Boy’s Lars Fellows
Speaking exclusively to Attitude at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, he said tonight, “I think he handled it well. I think, as trans people, unfortunately, I think we’ve learned to kind of bite our tongue a lot. And I feel like he was very gracious the way he handled it. I can’t say I would have handled it the same, but it’s just annoying because I feel like once someone knows that you’re trans, they then try to undermine you by kind of your gender identity.”
“I feel like it’s just another example of people not really fully understanding the trans experience, which is a shame to see. But, I mean, he handled it well, but it’s just… It’s just a shame to see, I guess. We’ve dealt with a lot of stuff in life. We’ll be completely fine.”
“It was just awkward and I feel like it just… it shows more, you know, it shows badly on them. Not him. He’s not the problem.”
“Z is such an inspiration. Z is doing amazing” – Fellows on Zelah Glasson
He added, “Z is such an inspiration. Z is doing amazing, like, the representation and just so nice to see more trans men, like really putting themselves out there and, you know, having these conversations with people, allowing kind of… in this hostile environment now around trans people being that visible presence to open up more discourse, more conversations and just showing that we’re like really amazing people.
“I’m really rooting for Z. Like I can’t wait to kind of see him when he comes out and just speak to him and just kind of compare experiences. It’s nice to always see fellow trans men really doing their thing.”
During a game of spin the bottle with her fellow housemates, Monk’s awkward exchange with Glasson began when she asked: “If you had a cock, what would you do with it?”
Zelah has spoken openly about his transition in the house, revealing in his VT that he had lived as a woman for 23 years, and has discussed his identity with his housemates.
“She’s a girl” – Caroline Monk misgendering Zelah Glasson in the Big Brother house
The uncomfortable interaction escalated when Caroline asked another question in the drinking game to pansexual housemate Nancy.
“If you could shag anyone in this house on a desert island – there’s only one person left, and you’re able to make babies to start a new civilisation – who would you shag?” Caroline asked.
Nancy, who has revealed to her housemates that she is pansexual, asked: “So it has to be a guy?”
“But you haven’t got a willy though, have you?” – Caroline continuing to question Zelah’s identity
Housemate Genny reminded the PR agent of the 22-year-old’s sexuality, to which Caroline replied, “You like pans?”
Nancy said that Zelah would be her answer to Caroline’s question. “She’s a girl,” Caroline replied loudly, causing housemates to look uncomfortable, cover their faces, and try to stop the game.
She did not stop there: “But you haven’t got a willy though, have you?” Realising what she had said, Caroline added: “Is that really bad?”
The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, now in its 14th year, celebrates LGBTQ+ trailblazers and allies across music, TV, film, sport, and beyond. This year’s ceremony brought together stars and supporters from across the entertainment world.
Order your copy of the Attitude Awards issue now or check out the Attitude app.