Henri Castelli, the 47-year-old actor from São Bernardo do Campo, is officially confirmed among the participants of Big Brother Brasil 26. The information was revealed during the reality show’s premiere this Monday, January 12, 2026, placing the artist in the select Camarote group. The return of a well-known television name to the country’s most watched house promises to stir up social media and bring a special flavor to this year’s edition, as Castelli was one of the most popular heartthrobs of the 2000s.
The confirmation happened live on the premiere night and marks the actor’s return to a major open TV project after a period away from the spotlight. Therefore, his participation is seen as a strategic move by the production to win back the audience that followed his peak in soap operas. Thus, BBB 26 begins with an extra ingredient of nostalgia and curiosity, especially for those who remember his roles in hits like ‘Cobras & Lagartos’ and ‘Flor do Caribe’.
Trajectory and expectations for the game
Besides his career in drama, Henri Castelli is also remembered for his high-profile relationships, such as his marriage to top model Isabeli Fontana and his relationship with actress Fernanda Vasconcellos. This personal history, combined with his experience in front of the cameras, creates an expectation about how he will handle the intense coexistence and the games of the reality show dynamics. Meanwhile, the Pipoca group had already been defined on Sunday (11th), after the closure of the famous Glass Houses spread across Brazil.
The presence of other veterans from past editions, also revealed in the premiere, adds more layers of strategy to BBB 26. With this, the season promises a tense balance between newcomers and experienced players, between the fame of the Camarote and the unpredictability of the Pipoca. The question remains: will the popularity of yesteryear translate into public votes or make him an easy target within the game?
Thus, BBB 26 begins with a cast that mixes nostalgic memories and new bets. Henri Castelli’s journey, in particular, will be closely watched to see if the 2000s star can reinvent himself and win over Brazil once again, now under the scrutiny of millions of screens and the daily pressure of the house. So, get ready for another electrifying chapter in the history of the reality show that defines the course of national entertainment every year.
