TikToker Max Balegde On How The I’m A Celeb Jungle Changed His Perspective On Life

Laura Masia

Feb. 13, 2025, 11:10 p.m.

Growing up in the UK, TikToker Max Balegde watched I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here religiously. But even as his online following grew, he never expected to find himself donning the khaki, and eating beans, rice and various animal body parts in the South African jungle.

Although the famous online star found himself in a camp with a bunch of Aussie celebs who lowkey had no idea who he was, Max quickly won the hearts of his campmates and viewers watching on at home, landing him a coveted spot in the top five.

Our true comedy king!!!! (Image: I’m A Celebrity… Get me Out Of Here / 10)

Despite the experience being one of the best thing he’s ever done, hearing the hosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris say he was eliminated before the final three didn’t bring down his vibe at all.

“My gosh. I watched back that moment and I think you can see on my face that I was just ecstatic to be there,” Max told PEDESTRIAN.TV just hours after his elimination.

“Honestly, once I got to the final five, I just didn’t care if I went home. I was just so shocked that I made it that far and everything else from there was a bonus.”

READ MORE I’m A Celeb’s Max Balegde Shares How Surviving The Manchester Arena Attack Impacted His Life

Although he provided non-stop laughs for the audience at home, Max has been pretty surprised to see the outpouring of support flowing in for him by Aussies on social media.

“The biggest surprise for me has been seeing how positive everything’s been,” he admits.

“Some of the reactions to the stuff I was doing in there are incredible. You just don’t imagine that anyone is forming any opinions on the little things you’re doing every day so I just felt honoured.”

@imacelebrityau

Great at being celebrities, not so great at pranks 😅 #ImACelebrityAU | Watch on @Channel 10 and 10 Play

♬ original sound – I’m A Celebrity AU

For viewers watching I’m A Celeb at home, it’s a show filled with non-stop hilarious, bonkers moments. However, for the celebrity contestants, most of their time is spent waiting around in camp, passing the time chatting or reflecting on their own lives. According to Max, this self-reflection completely changed his outlook on life.

“Oh my god, the jungle has changed my perspective on so many things,” he admits.

“Before this experience, I would put so much pressure and importance on things that I now just seem to not care about.

“I really have learned to value and appreciate the relationships in my life. For example, usually I’d hang up a call with my mum and say ‘I love you’ at the end of it. But all that I could think about whilst I was in there was how much I wish I could show my mom that I love her.

“You know, get her an experience, take her on holiday and just do so many things with the people that I love. That’s been an incredible lesson to learn, and I’m so grateful that I’ve got it so that now I can really start in the outside world showing the people I love how much I truly appreciate them”.

@max_balegde

NEWS JUST IN: MAX BALEGDE HAS LEFT THE JUNGLE‼️⭐️🐛 There are no words to describe how immensely PROUD we are of our Max – he has conquered (SO MANY) fears, made incredible friends and showed the world his charming, sensitive and hilarious personality. We’ve had the wildest ride taking you along his jungle journey and we genuinely cannot thank you all enough for the love, the support, the laughs and the votes taking Max all the way to the final 5! (what an achievement!!!) Petition for Max to keep up the beard post-jungle 😮‍💨 It’s been our pleasure – until next time, Maisie and Andrew xoxo

♬ Epic News – DM Production

Despite the many disgusting and heart-racing challenges the Aussie I’m A Celeb jungle produced, Max says he’s still down for round two if the British iteration of the show gives him a buzz.

“It would be really difficult to recreate the magic and warmness of this experience if I were to do the UK one,” Max admits.

“But genuinely with the feelings of gratitude and accomplishment I have right now, I’d be a fool to ever turn down that opportunity again.”

As for other reality shows? Well, Max says he’d prefer to be the host but he’d take the opportunities on a case-by-case basis.

Wouldn’t we all, doll?

I’m A Celeb is now down to its final three campmates: Sam Thaiday, Matthew Johnson and Reggie Bird. Who will win? Well, we’ll have to wait and see.

Tune in to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here on 10 or 10Play.

The post TikToker Max Balegde On How The I’m A Celeb Jungle Changed His Perspective On Life appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .