Grande Fratello 3 is the third season of the Italian edition of the reality franchise Big Brother. It marked a turning point in the way the show was produced when compared to previous seasons. The size of the House was increased to almost and was made almost entirely of glass.
Luxury Suite
Grande Fratello 3 saw the introduction of a luxury suite; a soft room filled with every luxury that the Housemates were not allowed in the main house. Every week the winner of a task would be allowed access to this room, along with one Housemate of their choice. The winner of this task was also allowed to purchase some gifts for themselves or their companion, from the prize fund.
Nominations
This year the nominations process was changed - unlike previous years, this year the Housemates would each week nominate three of their fellow Housemates for eviction - rather than two as in previous years.
Housemates
Twelve Housemates entered the Big Brother House on opening night, with four Housemates joining later. These Housemates consist of:
Andrea
Andrea Francolino was born on 27 April 1979. He was born in Matera and works as an artist, painter and sculptor. In the House, Andrea was linked with Phaedrus, and also became the protagonist of a violent dispute against Pasquale, which cost him a lot of support and saw him Evicted upon his first Nomination. In the House, he also began a relationship with Claudia, a relationship which continued outside of the House and finished in 2006 when Andrea decided to live in Milan to continue his art-job.
Angela
Angela Sozio was born in Bari on 12 March 1973. She was born into a wealthy family, and at the age of eighteen enrolled on a course in accountancy, eventually getting a job at the Faculty of Economy and Trade in Bari. She is very energetic, enjoys dancing and photography, as well as having a keen interest in fast cars and motorcycles. She has two tattoos, including one on her wrist, and whilst in the House formed a very strong friendship with both Floriana and Fedro. After being Evicted she became a popular figure on Italian Television.
Claudia
Claudia Bormioli, born on 4 August 1977 in Macerata is an ex-student in Communication Sciences, but now works as a singer for her own enjoyment. In the House, she began a relationship with Andrea, which has since continued outside of the House.
Erika
Erika Terzi was born on 12 February 1976, her surname meaning "third" in Italian. She dreams of being a celebrity but was the first to be Evicted after losing the ballot against Marika.
Fedro
Fedro Francioni, the owner of two testing laboratories, was born on 26 July 1969. In the House, he became a leader and authority figure, but despite his position of respect within the House began to argue with Floriana and Pasquale, who became his main protagonists. After sixty-seven days in the House Fedro Voluntarily Walked after hearing of the death of his Aunt.
Floriana
Floriana Secondi was born in Rome on 5 May 1977 and is a bartender and waitress, whilst also enjoying athletic sports and holding an interest in black and ethnic music genres. Coming from a broken home and poor upbringing Floriana attributes her stay at college in sorting out her life. In the House, Floriana received a record number of Nominations, with forty-four in total, but despite this eventually emerged as the winner on Day 99. Since leaving the House Floriana has opened a chain of nightclubs and had a child.
Franco
Franco Biccica, born on 10 December 1974 in Tuscany, is the owner of a chain of clothing retail outlets. He entered the House on Day 71 to replace Fedro with his girlfriend Manila. Franco eventually made it to the final four - finishing in fourth place with 2% of the Vote, as the time in which the audience had to get to know Franco was very short.
Luca
Luca Argentero, a bartender and economics and business graduate, born on 12 April 1978 in Turin, currently works as a model and actor. In the House Luca got on very well with all the Housemates - this low profile helped him to slide to the final, where he finished in third place with 9% of the Public Vote.
Manila
Manila Barbati, a dance teacher from Milan was born on 16 September 1974. She entered the House on Day 71 with her boyfriend Franco but was Evicted after only a Week.
Marianella
Marianella Bargilli, a model, was born on 27 February 1971. Marianella was the second of four sisters in an entirely female family after her Dad left to live in Brazil. She has worked both as a model and spokeswoman for Napapijiri brand clothing in Bologna. Since 2000 she has lived in Rome.
Marika
Marika Suppa, born on 21 September 1976, was born in Bari but moved to Milan as a young girl. Before entering the House she worked as a waitress in a bar. She was the first Housemate to be Evicted by Public Vote.
Massimo
Massimo Zino, born on 9 July 1977 is a law student from Rome. He was in the House only a few minutes before losing the Public Vote between him and Raphael.
Pasquale
Pasquale Laricchia, born on 4 August 1972 is a personal trainer from Milan. He entered the House along with his girlfriend Victoria. Their situation proved detrimental to them, however, as they ended up being Nominated together six times out of nine. He became popular with the Public in the House because of his cheeky sense of humour and hilarious proverbs and unsolicited advice. He eventually lost out and was Evicted on Day 78, when Nominated against three competitors who ended up all finishing in the top three. In the House, he promised to marry Victoria, but this never happened as the couple split up after leaving the House, but remain good friends.
Raffaello
Rafaello Orselli, born on 13 June 1966 is a skipper. He entered the House after one Week after winning the Public Vote against Massimo. Despite his attractiveness, Raphael was shy and remained on the outskirts of the House for the duration of his stay, which led to the Public Evicting him upon their first opportunity.
Sergio
Sergio Squillacciotti, born on 3 April 1970, worked in a cigarette factory before entering the House. In the House, he clashed with Marianella, Andrea and Luca.
Victoria
Victoria Pennington, an American born in Texas but raised in Alabama entered the House on Day One along with her boyfriend Pasquale. After visiting Italy Victoria fell in love with the country as well as Pasquale, and permanently moved there in order to spend more time with him. In the House Victoria and Pasquale proved unpopular with their Housemates - facing the vote together six times before Pasquale was Evicted, but their devotion to one another saving them from Eviction. After Pasquale's Eviction Victoria opened up more and eventually managed to make it to the final, where she polled second place. She survived 8 evictions, the most in the history of Grande Fratello.