I want to start with your experience watching the season back. After they leave the house, Big Brother alumni tend to engage with the episodes in their own way and on their own time. What prompted you and Taylor to decide to watch things so soon after the season ended?I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that, as people who live in two different states, we are granted the luxury of being together right now. So we did acknowledge the fact that if we don’t do this now, we could obviously link up and do it later. But the fact that we’re here together now, and we’re supporting one another, that was one of the factors into considering diving into the season. The second one is, throughout interviews, and podcasts, a lot of the season is being referenced, and we’ve been given asked for our thoughts on a lot of things were not necessarily educated or informed about. So we didn’t want to address things or make comments, not having a full and informed decision. And a lot of it also had to do with both of our emotional stabilities. I know some other cast members and previous alumni have still not even watched their seasons. So we both just felt like we were pretty well situated; we’re here to support one another. And we’re still going through interviews; we’re still going through podcasts. So it would be productive to know more rather than less when addressing certain circumstances. So we just both came to the conclusion to watch in small bits and pieces–that’s why we’re only on Episode 14–what occurred.What’s particularly interesting about your watching experience is that you choose to stream your reactions on Instagram Live. I’ve seen fans speak positively about that, getting to see the season again vicariously through your eyes. But what made you decide to show your unfiltered responses in such a public environment?I think we did it more for ourselves than the fans, because we enjoy the support and the love that they do have. It was almost comforting knowing they’re there after living with them for so long. It’s almost like it’s like the live feeds from the house. And, from a fan perspective, Taylor and I do love to engage and support the fans. I felt like it offered a lot of clarity. We received so much the first time we did it; there wasn’t much thought process to it. I think it wasn’t even our idea initially. Someone went live when the whole cast was watching. And we saw the fans loved it. And we’d love to make them happy. Giving them that perspective and an opportunity to engage with us is something Taylor and I really appreciate. We thought, “They loved it. It gives a little perspective on our ideas”. And sometimes if I see something or she sees some things, it gives us the opportunity to offer a little clarity. Unfortunately, the edit is 24/7 footage down to a 45 minute episode. It’s hard to get everything that happened and everyone’s perspective. So we definitely thought it was an interesting choice. I obviously want to make sure Taylor was comfortable with it. And I don’t even know how it came about. Just one time, I think she was like, “Should we go live?” And people loved it, and it was reciprocated with a lot of positivity and love. So we were like, “Why not?“I feel like I would have my press pass revoked if I didn’t ask something about “Jaylor.” (Laughs.) Coming out of the house, you were both all in on the hashtag and various social media posts shipping you two. But I did see Taylor tweet something a couple of days ago that read, “Joseph is an amazing person and I love the Jaylor Stan’s DOWN. But I hope everyone can still see me as an individual who overcame unbelievable odds to achieve a monumental accomplishment for the BB franchise. I am not defined by my adjacency to a man.” It’s a sentiment that I’m sure you agree with as well. But from your perspective, did anything in particular prompt that response?I can’t speak for Taylor directly. She did obviously share her sentiments in that tweet. She felt like–and I agree with her–Taylor has changed history. Being the first Black woman to win regular season of Big Brother, along with AFP, that is monumental in so many aspects beyond reality TV. Especially considering the story she had. So I think what her thought process was doing–and of course, I’m sure she can elaborate on this further–was just that in certain interviews, or in certain podcasts, although she broke history, the primary juice of the conversation was her relationship with me. Which is obviously extremely important to her, and something that she definitely loves to talk about. But I don’t think so freshly after what she just did, she wanted to be her primary reason for being contacted or anything of that nature. And I agree there should have been more dialogue around what Taylor Hale actually did in regard to the game. And she loves a lot of the Jaylor stuff; she jokes about it all the time. But I think she just wanted to make sure that that wasn’t undermining her accomplishments and her monumental achievements, which I completely agree with.I definitely do as well. I know it’s also been expressed in other interviews that you two were going to be going to therapy, both separately and together, to debrief your time in the house. What led to that decision on your part?Taylor and I have spoken about this continuously. I was going to therapy before the show just to check in on my mental health and make sure everything is good. As someone who struggles with ADHD and anxiety, I was definitely already doing that. So that wasn’t really a new implementation for me. I don’t want to speak for Taylor, because I’m not too sure where she stood with it. But we definitely don’t see therapy as something that should be, only associated with trauma or negativity. It’s as simple as being like, “Oh, I’m gonna go get a physical and check in on my physical body.“We’re both very big that it doesn’t hurt to go check in on the mental characteristics of our mind. And that being said, considering we played a social game where perception and reality is warped for three months, we didn’t think it would be counterproductive to have those conversations and get checked a little bit. (Laughs.) So it was it was a very productive and open-minded discussion. We didn’t see anything you know, abnormal about it. It was truly as simple as, if I went and did a physical competition, and then was like, “I’m gonna go to the doctor to get checked out to make everything, make sure everything’s good.” We’re doing the same approach with our mental.I think that attitude can’t be stated enough, especially with how timely it is with yesterday being World Mental Health Day. Now, that being said, there have certainly been people from your season who have said some of the things–good or bad–they said or did in the house were a result of various battles with their mental health. As someone who has now gone through the process of being in the house, do you have any thoughts on the cast members who make those claims?So I obviously cannot speak for my other cast members. My mother struggled with mental health issues, which is why it’s a near and dear topic to my heart. And I know it can definitely have its difficult times; I’ve watched it. So I cannot speak for any of their decisions, or any of their thought processes. I have no idea what they’re going to going through, and why conclusions were made or thought processes were reached. So all I do is I wish them the best. And hope they get better and they prioritize their mental health and that a productive and positive outcome results at the end of this.Let’s go back to watching through the season. What’s the biggest dynamic, either from conversations or Diary Room sessions, that has surprised you the most to see?I think it’s been affirmation, knowing that my paranoia was a little well-found. I did assume, because obviously, no one came to me and said, “There’s a girls’ alliance. Po’s Pack is a thing,” until later on in the game. So watching myself early on, I’m a little concerned that these are occurring. And then actually seeing the perspective of them occurring is a little reassuring, in a sense. I would have felt extremely bad if I felt like I was on the tail end of the house and that was just my paranoia getting to me. That Po’s Pack and “Girls Girls” weren’t a thing and I just overthought everything. So watching the perspective of what was going on in the house, while I wasn’t necessarily associated with those conversations, is definitely interesting. But overall, I would also say another thing is where Taylor was truly situated in the game. I mean, I really didn’t know it could be to that extent while I was in the house. I definitely did not see that; there were a lot of conversations, obviously, I wasn’t a part of or made aware of. Which makes me even more happier, and I think she’s more deserving of the win she had. I didn’t think it was as difficult as it truly was watching it.I know you’ve said in other interviews your goal was to take the Leftovers down to seven, then you had your mind set on your ideal four or five. But before the house got split, did you have a set Final Two partner in mind?So things were staying definitely open to me. Even in the yard, we had Final Two talks and people are saying what they need to do. But the twist forced a Final Five and a different game. So all circumstances under there were just being paused until we could get back in the house. So I would say right before the twist, in the trajectory, I’m going with Taylor, she’s very likely to be my Final Two. But obviously, then the twist occurs and that throws the whole game for a loop. You’re playing a completely different game. This isn’t regular Big Brother; this is now a final five. Someone who wasn’t a direct target is now being targeted. There’s no privacy in the yard. So your typical secret conversation in hiding is not occurring; everybody can see everyone in the yard. So that was like a whole other game I was going into. So coming back into the house, I would love to like just reassess everything and see where everybody stands and then go from there. But obviously, leading up to the twist, I was starting to set in stone with Monte and Taylor to being my Final Three.On that note, I know you have spoken about your reaction to Kyle’s unfounded prejudiced comments about there being a “Cookout 2.0” between all the BIPOC houseguests. But I want to focus on Michael and Brittany here. Clearly what Kyle did was in the wrong. But people in the house and online made note of them sitting on the comments for a few weeks, only to reveal them when they felt their backs were against the wall. And even before that, I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but there were moments where they and Kyle would almost try to “babysit” you, Taylor, and Monte to make sure you weren’t alone together to possibly strategize behind their backs. Do you have any reaction to that?Yeah, I mean, granted, from a game perspective, I was close with Monte and Taylor. So from a strategic standpoint solely, I can see the concerns. At the time, I didn’t think Monte and Taylor were so close. But at least to me, if you wanted to take a guess of who I was close with, it wasn’t hard to see. So those concerns with me, Monte, and Taylor, and the babysitting, I could see it from a game standpoint. I just mentioned my Final Three would have likely been us three. But I haven’t really dived deep into the comments with not seeing the episodes. So any opinions further would not be very informative.Let’s speak about representation, something you were very clear was a reason why you wanted to play. And that came in many forms. You represented the Middle-Eastern community, and even got to meet someone else who did that in three-time player Kaysar Ridha shortly after leaving the house. But something that was also shown on the feeds was you opening up about living with ADHD. What has the response been from both the Middle-Eastern and neurodivergent communities since leaving the house?There’s a common theme from both communities: Normalization. That’s exactly what I always get. It’s so much thanks. They were like, “Your personality, a lot of your thought process, the way you act is just so normal to me, and maybe might not be normal to others. But we understand you, Joseph. And thank you for putting that out there and normalizing it.” Britini from last season, I’ll never forget, came up and thanked me. She was like, “Thank you for speaking about ADHD. Thank you so much for just normalizing it.” And I appreciate her so much because she did that same thing for her season. Similar with the Middle Eastern community. They were like, “Thank you, Joseph. We know it’s not easy to get on to media. And it’s so nice and refreshing to turn on the TV and when we see an Arab, it’s not in a negative light. So thank you for that.” There are so many messages, those really touched me sincerely. And they’re like, “You don’t know what you did for my kid watching you the whole season, when I say your name and Arabic.” I get so many messages about ADHD in school. The fact that I was able to manage through it and what advice I can give. It’s just, so reassuring to know that people who share the same struggles are me are benefiting from watching me and my story. And just me playing Big Brother as a whole, they were like, “There were so many of your small mannerisms we noticed. The way you speak, the speed at which you speak, your pacing. It’s all things I have that I feel so uncomfortable and weird about.” And I want to normalize it for them. If pacing helps your thought process, then do so. If you speak relatively fast because your brain is processing everything at a higher speed, then that’s perfectly fine. Just let people know and let people be aware, which is why I shared those things on national TV. A lot of times, I forgot I was on TV. (Laughs.) But I was hoping to just to give the houseguests a perspective of who I am as a person. It can be overwhelming dealing with it. We’re all people from different backgrounds. So I just thought, the more information I provided about who I am as a person, the easier it would be to understand me. And I think so many people appreciated that and resonated with it. That is probably one of the most beneficial things I got out of this game is those messages. People are like, “You don’t know what you did for me as a person.” And I appreciate it so much. Those messages always warm my heart. Those messages are more important to me than any amount of money.They say a plant has to open its leaves to get sunlight and be able to grow. And I think you were able to show that firsthand. Because you were so open to the house–and us by proxy–people gained such an appreciation for you. And so you were able to come out to all of this support and love. I know I’m just one of the many voices in the crowd saying this, but thank you for doing that. Those messages are just a drop in the bucket of what your journey on the season means to everyone who watched.Thank you so much. And I really do appreciate that. And one thing I would like to point out is you guys are not voices in the crowd. Every voice is individual and every voice matters. I cannot get back to each and every person. But I do try to. Every person I touched means the world to me. And if there’s any way I can try and recognize that, I want to. Because I’m a person just like the rest of everybody else. And whatever platform I’m on, every one is just as important as the next. And I really want to prioritize that and make that happen. So the biggest thing I can do is try to show my story. And then people similar to me, I’m hoping, can resonate with it and some positivity can leak out to a story that is Joseph Abdin.Next, check out our interview with Big Brother 24 winner and America’s Favorite Houseguest Taylor Hale.
