Vanessa Nimmo was born in South Africa but has lived in Leeds for the last 10 years.
The blonde 26-year-old, whose mum Ann lives in north Leeds, was studying business studies at Leeds Metropolitan University when she decided to audition for Big Brother.
Vanessa and her fellow contestants walked into the Big Brother house as series five was launched live on Channel 4 last night.
Friends today described Vanessa as "vibrant and fun loving" and guaranteed she would create a stir within the house.
Long time friend Deborah De Vittoris shared a flat in Leeds city centre with Vanessa for more than a year.
She said: "Vanessa is a real extrovert. Men will instantly fall in love with her and the girls will love to hate her. She is really feminine and a head turner."
Deborah said she first realised her friend might be a contestant after reading snippets of gossip in the national press.
"I read there was someone called Vanessa from Leeds who was 26 and a stunner in the running and I knew straight away it was her. She has not answered her phone for ages.
Message
"In fact she rang my mobile a few weeks ago and left a message saying she had something big to tell me.
"But I never had chance to ring her back as I have been so busy with work."
Deborah, who runs Leeds-based event management firm Hairy Lemon, said she thought Vanessa would be a great asset in the house.
"She is extremely clean and tidy and a great cook," said Deborah. "She is also quite sporty and a team player so that will stand her in good stead when it comes to the challenges."
"Who can say whether she will win but I'm sure whatever happens she will leave the house with lots of offers of work – and probably marriage!"
andrew.hutchinson@ypn.co.uk