Two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird has revealed she was rejected after applying for a Sandwich Artist position at Subway, laying bare the challenges she’s faced finding work since leaving reality television.
The beloved Australian TV personality first rose to fame in 2003 when she won the third season of Big Brother Australia, taking home the $250,000 prize.
She made history two decades later by becoming the first contestant to win the competition twice after returning for Big Brother: Royalty vs. New Contenders in 2023, before finishing runner-up on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2025.
Despite her reality TV success, Bird has revealed the less glamorous side of life after the cameras stop rolling.
The 52-year-old shared a screenshot of a rejection notification she received after applying for a job with the fast-food chain, alongside the caption: “Bugger …..I can’t even get a job making sandwiches.”
The SEEK message read: “Hi Regina. Thank you for your interest in the Subway Sandwich Artist – Gold Coast Uni Hospital job at Yapbus Pty Ltd.
“It looks unlikely that your application will progress further. You may or may not still hear back from the employer.”
The post prompted an outpouring of support from fans, with many encouraging the popular reality star not to give up.
“Hang in there @reggiebirdbb …. you are strong & you will be okay,” one commenter wrote, while another said: “Keep smiling, Regina. There is an opportunity out there somewhere for you and an employer willing to give you a chance.”
“Take care of yourself and remember this always. You are loved,” a third penned.
Others suggested Bird channel her personality into podcasting or radio instead.
“Make today your first podcast! This is a great place to begin…. Love you, Reggie,” one commenter wrote.
“I reckon you’d be great at radio or podcasting. I’d listen,” another added.
“I reckon you’d be great at radio or podcasting. I’d listen,” wrote another.
Bird pocketed $250,000 from each of her Big Brother victories and has worked in a range of roles over the years, including as a flight attendant for Virgin Blue and a manager of a fish-and-chip shop in Tasmania.
The mother-of-two has previously spoken candidly about how difficult it has been to secure employment since becoming a household name through reality television.
Appearing on the Mental As Anyone podcast in 2024, Bird told host Jonathan Moran she often “feels like a failure”.
“I’m starting to think, why doesn’t anyone want to give me a job? I want to work, and that starts to make you feel like… no one wants you,” she said.
“I could answer phones, you know, I’m good at talking to people.”
Bird also reflected on living with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye condition that has left her legally blind and significantly narrowed the types of work she can do.
She compared her remaining vision to “looking through a straw”.
“I’m limited to what I can do because my eyes are so stuffed. I’ve now got nine degrees of pinhole vision, no peripheral vision and no night vision left,” Bird said.
“I only just see what’s in front of me. It’s like looking through a straw – that’s how I explain it to people.”