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Sarasota Man Picked For Big Brother TV Show

Photo courtesy of CBS

James 'Crazy James' Zinkand, of Sarasota, will appear on the upcoming season of 'Big Brother.'

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

TAMPA - A 21-year-old Sarasota man is among the 16 players on the ninth installment of CBS' "Big Brother," which debuts Tuesday.

James Zinkand, 21, also known as "Crazy James," is taking time out from his bicycle trip around the world to be on the reality show.

CBS announced the lineup today. The CBS biography on him says he "describes himself as insane and crazy and has a few very different personalities, depending on his mood."

"He grew up in a broken home and had to learn to be different to get the attention he needed from others," the news release continues. "He was the 'freak' in high school who wore costumes to school when it wasn't even Halloween.

"He is close with his mom and has one sister, both recently divorced."

His favorite movie is "Fight Club" and his favorite music is by The Clash. Zinkand has seven tattoos. He is currently single, but was engaged to an older woman at one point.

At Sarasota High he was known for his trademark pink Mohawk haircut and his "Pink Bus" videos on YouTube. More than 7 months ago, he launched his bicycle trip. The goal was to make it on $100. Reportedly, he slept on a lot of couches and dined on roadkill in Montana.

The other occupants of the "Big Brother" house range in age from 21 to 29. There is an electrician, a paralegal, a college student, two bartenders, a realtor, a DJ, a public relations manager, a roofer, and an advertising media buyer. One is a former Penthouse Pet.

Zinkand told CBS that he probably will be walking around in his underwear all the time. "Maybe, after week six, I'm just going to … be naked. What are they gonna do?" he says.

This is the first-ever all single cast and apparently love, or something like it, is expected to blossom.

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