Will America Bring Back Kaysar? Please?
by Angel Cohn
Kaysar Ridha, 24, who was voted out of the Big Brother house last week, is hoping that the famed Godfather: Part III quote "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in" will apply to him come this Thursday, when either he, Michael or Eric gets a new lease on life. (In a "twist" for BB, America has been given a chance to bring back one of the three eliminees who chose to stay sequestered.) TVGuide.com caught up with Kaysar after his eviction to see why he thinks he deserves that second chance.
TVGuide.com: Well, the good news is you might get to go back.
Kaysar Ridha: It's great news, absolutely. I think I really have a good shot at [it], knowing how I played the game.
TVGuide.com: Why should people vote for you instead of Eric or Michael?
Kaysar: I believe I played this game to the best of my ability, and with integrity. I believe I earned people's trust and respect. I play the game and don't really bash people's character as a means to winning the prize.
TVGuide.com: I probably shouldn't admit this journalistic integrity and all but I voted for you a few times already.
Kaysar: Thank you! I'm flattered.
TVGuide.com: Well, you earned it, because as Head of Household you were behind one of the biggest upsets in Big Brother history.
Kaysar: It was a promise that I made to the viewing public and to myself and those I kept close to me. I told [those involved] that it's not over yet [when I was nominated]. I sort of sat quietly while they were planning things that I was very unhappy with, and I kept telling Michael and Janelle and those around me, 'Don't talk back, don't use their methods of getting to them. You have to get even, and the only way to get even is to upset the balance of power and really, really stick it to them."
TVGuide.com: You were really quiet until Michael was evicted.
Kaysar: I would have loved it if Michael was there to share in the joy of being HOH, but I felt as though he was taking things the wrong way and letting things get to him.
TVGuide.com: Did his eviction speed up your strategy at all?
Kaysar: No. I wanted to maintain consistency. I wanted to make sure that I stayed dormant. The beauty of the whole plan is that people thought I was naοve, they thought I was doing things for certain reasons. They had no clue as to what I was thinking. Not even the people close to me did.
TVGuide.com: Were you surprised when Maggie became HOH and decided to use your plan against you?
Kaysar: Maggie's actions were expected. I kind of spelled it out for the whole house that you can't play based on your emotions. I expected them to mimic my strategy.
TVGuide.com: Were you excited to go on the show?
Kaysar: Do you want my honest answer?
TVGuide.com: Of course.
Kaysar: I had a lot of apprehension. I wasn't very excited, because given my race, ethnicity and religious background, I was afraid of how I was going to be depicted. I wanted to be on my best behavior. I knew it was all or nothing I was either going to not do it, or I was going to go in with every ounce of whatever it is that I've learned throughout my life.
TVGuide.com: Do you think you did a good job?
Kaysar: I left that house with a smile on my face. I left hugging every single person and every person respected me. I didn't get angry and I didn't feel bad, because I went out honorably.
TVGuide.com: Do you think your housemates learned a lot about your religion?
Kaysar: I think so. My intention was not to turn it into some kind of Sunday-school environment; I just wanted to bring a human touch to what being Muslim is. If people had questions or wanted to bring something to the table, I was very willing to converse with them. Other than that, I wanted to put religion, ethnicity and race on the back burner.
TVGuide.com: Do you think you'll keep in touch with anyone other than Michael?
Kaysar: I feel as though Janelle is a good friend of mine now, and I feel just the same with Howie and Rachel. They are sensible, smart and strong individuals who, when given the opportunity to backstab me, chose not to.
TVGuide.com: For all your fans, I have to ask: Are you dating anyone?
Kaysar: [Very flustered] I'm not dating anybody. I'm not sure how to answer that question. I'm at a loss for words. I can ramble on about anything except this.
TVGuide.com: You are surprised that people find you attractive?
Kaysar: I am surprised, I wasn't prepared for this.
TVGuide.com: Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you.
Kaysar: I'm not embarrassed... just a little red right now.
TVGuide.com: All right, I'll go easy on you now. What do you plan to do after the whole Big Brother experience?
Kaysar: Coming into this house, I wanted to sort of discover what I was capable of doing, and I think I've gotten a good understanding of that. Now I want to go out and really apply myself. I plan to really make a difference. You never know what opportunity may present itself after this.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Insider/
