The 2025 season of Celebrity Big Brother has been a hotbed of tension, but Ella Rae Wise’s latest move in the Diary Room has sent shockwaves through the house and beyond. On April 14, 2025, the The Only Way Is Essex star, 24, dropped a bombshell by nominating her close co-star, Love Island alum Chris Hughes, 32, for eviction, branding him “fake” and accusing him of playing a strategic game. The nomination, aired on ITV1 at 9 PM, has sparked fierce debate among fans, with some praising Ella’s boldness and others questioning her motives, especially given her rumored jealousy over Chris’s bond with JoJo Siwa. This article unpacks the drama, Ella’s reasoning, the house dynamics, and the fan frenzy, drawing from episode details and social media reactions.
The Nomination That Shook the House
Ella’s nomination came during a critical round ahead of Tuesday’s eviction, where housemates were tasked with naming two peers to face the public vote. In the Diary Room, Ella didn’t hold back, targeting Chris with a pointed critique: “My first nomination is Chris. Just because I don’t know 100 percent if he’s being his genuine self, and I wouldn’t know that because the only time we speak is if we ask each other if we’re OK and is there anything that we want. We haven’t had any other conversation other than that. I feel like he’s keeping himself to one person only, and that’s obviously JoJo. He hasn’t allowed himself to make connections with anyone else other than her.” Her words, delivered with conviction, stunned viewers, given the pre-show buzz that Ella and Chris might spark a showmance.
The accusation of “fakeness” wasn’t just a casual jab—it tied into Ella’s broader frustration with Chris’s behavior. She suggested he was “playing a massive game” by aligning solely with JoJo Siwa, 21, whose vibrant personality has dominated the house. Ella’s second nomination wasn’t revealed in the episode, but her focus on Chris stole the spotlight, especially since JoJo reciprocated by nominating Ella, citing “forced” conversations and “catty” gossip. JoJo told Big Brother, “Conversations with Ella I feel are very forced, and I feel I really have to try to come up with something that we can talk about. I also feel like I’m really on eggshells, and I kind of overheard her say something today when I was in the garden with Chris—something about me and Chris whispering at night—so that got me thinking ‘would I expect drama in a way’.” This mutual nomination has fueled speculation of a brewing feud, with Chris caught in the middle.
The Chris-JoJo-Ella Triangle
The nomination drama can’t be fully understood without dissecting the complex dynamics between Ella, Chris, and JoJo. Since entering the house on April 7, Chris and JoJo have formed a tight bond, marked by playful moments like JoJo giving Chris a back massage and writing on his hand with a marker. Their closeness, while platonic—JoJo is in a relationship with nonbinary partner Kath Ebbs—has raised eyebrows, with some fans questioning boundaries and others defending their friendship. Ella, however, has openly expressed discomfort, telling housemate Angellica Bell that JoJo’s loud persona isn’t “her cup of tea” and questioning whether Chris is authentic by sticking so closely to her.
Fans have theorized that Ella’s nomination stems from jealousy, a sentiment amplified by her recent split from TOWIE co-star Dan Edgar, 34, just days before entering the house. Ella confided to JoJo and Angellica about the breakup, tearfully admitting, “I just knew he wasn’t going to be what I wanted him to be.” This vulnerability, coupled with pre-show reports that she promised Dan not to flirt with Chris, suggests Ella may have entered with romantic expectations that didn’t materialize. On X, one viewer wrote, “Ella’s calling Chris fake, but it’s obvious she’s upset he’s not giving her attention. She’s jealous of JoJo, plain and simple.” Another posted, “Ella thought she’d have a showmance with Chris, but he’s all about JoJo. Her nomination feels personal.”
Ella addressed the lack of connection with Chris directly, telling Angellica, “I thought I would have bonded with Chris the most, but nah. … I don’t care, I don’t fancy him, so I ain’t bothered.” Yet, her nomination speech and body language—described by some fans as “petty” and “childish”—suggest otherwise. The episode also showed Chris breaking a house rule by discussing nominations with Donna Preston, leading to a punishment where he was confined to a “wheelie bin of shame” and forced to write an apology rap. This incident, while unrelated to Ella’s nomination, added to his vulnerability, making her move seem strategically timed.
Ella’s Strategy or Emotional Outburst?
Ella’s decision to label Chris “fake” has split fans into two camps: those who see it as a calculated play and those who view it as an emotional reaction. Supporters argue she’s playing the Big Brother game smartly, targeting a strong player who’s insulated himself with a single ally. “Ella’s not wrong—Chris is sticking to JoJo like glue. That’s a game plan, and she called it out,” one X user tweeted. Others, however, believe her nomination reflects personal grievances rather than strategy. “Ella’s acting like Chris owes her a friendship. Calling him fake because he’s not into her is weak,” another fan wrote.
Context from Ella’s TOWIE tenure sheds light on her approach. Since joining the show in 2019, she’s been known for her outspokenness and emotional transparency, navigating high-profile romances with Pete Wicks and Dan Edgar. Her breakup with Dan, detailed in a Sun interview, was raw—she described feeling “sad” but resolute, unwilling to “waste years trying to change someone.” This mindset may explain her impatience with Chris’s aloofness, interpreting it as inauthenticity rather than a personality mismatch. Her flair for drama, honed on TOWIE and shows like Ex on the Beach, also suggests she’s comfortable stirring the pot, even if it risks backlash.
House Dynamics and Broader Impact
The nomination has ripple effects across the house, already reeling from Mickey Rourke’s exit on April 12 for aggressive behavior and inappropriate comments, including a sexual remark to Ella that left her in tears. With Rourke gone, Ella’s clash with Chris and JoJo has taken center stage, potentially reshaping alliances. Housemates like Trisha Goddard, who shared a racist attack story, and Danny Beard, a frontrunner per Radio Times odds, may be drawn into the fray as Ella seeks support. Chris’s rule-breaking punishment has also weakened his standing, making him a prime eviction target if public sentiment sways against him.
JoJo’s nomination of Ella adds fuel to the fire, framing her as a source of “drama” that could “kill the vibes.” This mutual animosity hints at a deeper divide, with Ella’s quieter, Essex-rooted demeanor clashing with JoJo’s American exuberance. Cultural differences aside, the house’s pressure cooker environment amplifies small slights, as seen in past seasons where nominations exposed hidden tensions. A 2024 Ofcom report noted reality TV’s role in magnifying interpersonal conflict, and Ella’s bold move fits this pattern, keeping viewers hooked.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
Social media is abuzz with takes on Ella’s nomination. Some fans applaud her for shaking up the game, with one X post reading, “Ella’s got guts calling out Chris like that. He’s been coasting with JoJo—time to face the heat.” Others see it as a misstep, predicting she’s alienated potential allies. “Ella’s digging her own grave. Chris and JoJo are a power duo—why pick that fight?” another user tweeted. Speculation about a love triangle persists, despite Ella’s denial of romantic interest. “Producers wanted Ella and Chris to hook up, but JoJo stole the script,” one fan quipped, echoing Mirror reports of ITV pushing a romantic narrative.
Ella’s emotional state—still raw from her breakup—has also drawn empathy. Her tearful moment with JoJo and Angellica resonated with viewers, one of whom wrote, “Ella’s hurting from Dan, and Chris ignoring her probably feels like another rejection.” Yet, her nomination has shifted perceptions, with some calling her “toxic” for gossiping about Chris and JoJo’s late-night chats. The episode’s editing, lingering on Ella’s frustrated expressions, has only amplified the jealousy narrative.
What’s Next?
As Tuesday’s eviction looms, Ella’s nomination puts Chris in the crosshairs, but JoJo’s counter-nomination means Ella could also face the chop. Digital Spy suggests the public vote will hinge on fan loyalty—Chris’s Love Island base versus Ella’s TOWIE following. The house’s reaction to the nominations, aired on April 15, will reveal whether Ella’s gamble pays off or isolates her further. If Chris stays, their rift could deepen, especially with JoJo as his vocal defender.
Ella’s bombshell reflects the high stakes of Celebrity Big Brother, where personal feelings and strategic moves collide. Whether driven by hurt, jealousy, or game-savvy instinct, her decision to call Chris “fake” has cemented her as a polarizing figure. As the show continues weeknights at 9 PM, all eyes are on Ella to see if she doubles down or seeks peace in a house that thrives on chaos.
