Interview with Dustin Erikstrup of "Big Brother 8"

Is Dustin happy with how did on Big Brother, a show of which he was never a big fan in the first place? “It was my goal to make it to the show, and I made it that far, [and to] the jury. So I'm pleased to say the least.”

Gay viewers were especially intrigued by this season which not only had two gay houseguests, but Nick, a straight guy who flirted and cuddled with Joe and who shared his list of the five hottest male stars. Part of the strategy of the game has always been the possibility of a “showmance” between two houseguests, so with two out men plus Nick, anything seemed possible. But what did Dustin think of Nick's gay-acting antics? “Nick is a great guy. He's straight. His flirtation strategy worked with Joe though.”

But Joe also realized Nick was straight, having told us, “I think Nick's sexuality is that he's very comfortable with his own sexuality. He's not worried about how he's perceived. He's an example for what all straight men should be — willing to flirt, willing to do that, because at the end of the day, you know if you're straight or not. His ability to accept me, his ability to smile and wink at me just as he would anybody else, really shows that he's got a lot of integrity.”

When asked if Joe felt he was in any way representing the gay community, he flatly rejected the idea saying, “You know, I think it's ridiculous if people want to try to use me as an example of a homosexual. I'm not a representation of all men. I'm not a representation of all homosexuals.”

So does Dustin feel any responsibility in representing gay men on a nationally broadcast program? “Yes and no. I feel that Joe did a wonderful job of representing a stereotype and playing that role does him well. For me, I try to be just me. If I come across as a gay man, I hope I did the community justice. I represent me in life and in this game. It's not in my nature to hold back my opinions and feelings and I'm sure I offended the community as well. It wasn't until I was in the house did I think, 'Oh God, the gays are watching me.'”

One of our questions that Dustin couldn't answer dealt with homophobic comments made on the live feed by some of the other houseguests including Kail, Zach, and Dick. But Dustin told Entertainment Weekly that when Dick referred to him as “princess” he shrugged it off saying, “Honestly, he was calling Carol a princess and Jessica a princess in Weeks One and Two for the way that they didn't do anything around the house. And he just decided to attack my sexuality in a low blow, and you know, I didn't really take it offensively. Him calling me a princess, I could have really cared less. Him attacking Jameka's religious beliefs and Amber's motherhood — those are the attacks that I took personally.”

Dustin wasn't without his controversial comments as well. Many viewers were shocked by his conversation with Amber when they discussed Dustin's dog which he referred to as a “n***er bitch” because she's black and female.

Dustin's comments have been called offensive for being sexist and racist. When offered the chance to address the issue, Dustin said, “A female dog is a bitch. I'm not a racist and my actions speak louder than words. I've had just as many African- American friends and roommates as I have white. I apologize if I offended anyone. My words are not intended to hurt anyone and I think that was clear within the context of my conversation. How can a gay man be racist? Isn't that that most contradictory thing on the planet or what?”

As for who Dustin most trusts, he answered, ‘Amber and Jameka, hands down.'” But as to who has the best chance to win, Dustin is far less certain. "It's a toss up at this point. I have no idea where loyalties lie anymore.”