Max Balegde, the TikTok star, is taking on the jungle in Australia, facing fears and challenges in the latest season of I’m A Celebrity.
Darwen: Max Balegde has officially entered the jungle for the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity, which kicked off this month. With 3.6 million TikTok followers, he jumped into the adventure on January 12, and some of his wild moments have already aired, including a thrilling leap off a ledge.
He shared on his YouTube channel that the show’s production team reached out to him a few months back. Max mentioned that his strong social media presence in Australia played a big role in getting the invite.
Interestingly, while the UK version is filmed in Australia, this Aussie edition takes place in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Max was a bit taken aback when Channel 10 contacted him, saying, “I didn’t know if I wanted to do this, it seemed very extreme.”
He’s feeling a mix of fear and excitement, admitting he’s always been a fan of the show. “I can’t wait to meet my campmates,” he said, even though he’s nervous about the whole experience.
Before his rise to fame, Max worked at a local fish and chip shop. Now, he’s facing his fears head-on, even worrying about how to style his hair without his usual products. “I’m literally scared of everything,” he confessed, mentioning his anxiety about the challenges ahead.
Max has been seeing a hypnotherapist to help him adjust to the jungle life. He’s terrified of heights, snakes, and especially spiders. The thought of doing an eating trial makes him feel sick. “I can’t fathom putting a bull’s c**k in my mouth,” he said, laughing nervously.
Despite his fears, he’s eager to push himself out of his comfort zone. “I’m sh***ing myself big time,” he admitted, but he’s curious to see how everyone will get along in such extreme conditions.
Other contestants include former reality stars, comedians, and athletes, like an Olympic swimmer and an ex-rugby player. While the show isn’t available in the UK, fans can catch clips of Max on his TikTok and the show’s official Instagram at @imacelebrityau.
