Unfortunately for her, Tuesday’s Big Brother Australia episode delivered a rather different response.
As news.com.au described the poolside exchange, Ebony told Austin she could see an ice-cream date in their future and urged him to make it happen. Other housemates were close enough to hear the pitch, which did not exactly improve the landing.
Austin asked why. Ebony insisted they both wanted it and told him to “man up”. He declined, explaining: “Friends don’t go on dates.”
That is a fairly substantial obstacle to a romantic afternoon, even before anyone has chosen a flavour.
In the diary room afterwards, Austin seemed unsure whether Ebony had been serious about the romance or simply determined to get ice cream. He leaned towards the latter, saying he did not think either of them genuinely wanted a date.
Mel Tracina Has A Theory About House Romances
The awkward exchange arrives as host Mel Tracina has been discussing why connections formed inside the house can struggle once contestants leave.
Speaking to PEDESTRIAN.TV, Mel compared the experience to a holiday romance: intense, exciting and removed from everyday responsibilities. Returning to normal life can leave people realising the connection belonged to that particular setting.
She described it as “just a moment in time”, rather than a guarantee that the relationship will work outside the house.
Mel is happy to play matchmaker from the sidelines, although she admitted her predictions from last year’s audition tapes were completely wrong. The friendships, romances and clashes that actually emerge can still surprise her.