PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Jackie Stallone is most known in the United States as an astrologer, dancer, women's wrestling promoter, and, of course, the mother of Hollywood icon Sylvester 'Sly' Stallone. However, she will go down in pop culture history as the creator of one of the most memorable and cited reality TV moments of all time on 'Celebrity Big Brother' back in 2005.
Jackie, who died at the age of 98, was at the core of one of the show's greatest-ever pranks when she was dropped into the home halfway through the series to surprise Brigitte Nielsen, her former daughter-in-law. And she'd served up a nugget of television more golden than the lame gown she was wearing only seconds after crossing the door of the Borehamwood home. The housemates, which featured Caprice, John McCririck, and Bez from Happy Mondays, were taking part in a renaissance-themed shopping job, all dressed as members of the royal court, when they were warned to be upstanding for the arrival of the Queen Mother. Brigitte, who had been married to Jackie's son Sly from 1985 to 1987, was already acquainted with the new addition to the family.
Jackie Stallone delivered one of the most iconic moments for reality TV
During the live broadcast, fans watched a vintage automobile drive up outside the renowned home, followed by Jackie, who exited fairly impressively and proceeded inside. As the interior door creaked, Jackie emerged from behind it, before the cameras switched to a close-up of an obviously surprised Brigitte. "Oh, my God, Jackie?" Brigitte yelled, plainly unsure what to make of meeting her ex-mother-in-law for the first time in over two decades.
Then, in an expression that was a half-high camp, part Bond villain, Jackie shrugged her shoulders and said, "Yeah... Jackie."
Jackie established herself in the national consciousness at that moment, with those two simple lines being uttered a million times over - and 15 years later, they're still instantly traceable to her. It also set the tone for the remainder of Jackie's time in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house, as it quickly became clear that her surroundings were not up to her expectations.
"I never knew I was coming to a dump like this, frankly," she said to her housemates within minutes of her arrival.
Jackie voiced her complaints over not having enough A-listers to mix within one memorable Diary Room entry, lamenting about the "nobodies" in the house and the lack of culture they offered. "How about sending in a lovely harpist, and she can play a nice song for us while we dine?" she suggested, evidently having never watched an episode of 'Big Brother' before.
Jackie's CBB time was brief — she was evicted after four days, much to her joy – but there's no denying that it was the mother-in-law of all twists.
'My mother was an alien one of these days'
Sly feels his mother had a significant impact on his life. Unfortunately, she died in 2020 at the age of 98, but he recalls her lovingly. 'The Family Stallone' star found several aspects of her quite appealing. She was not your typical lady who followed the rules of society. She was quite cool. This is why he labeled her an alien.
In a 1977 interview with Brian Linehan of Canada, the teenage 'Rocky' star made a startling disclosure about her. His mother, according to the two-time Academy Award contender, was far ahead of her time. Jackie, who was born in Washington, DC in 1921, was an entertainer like her son. However, she did not achieve the success she had hoped for, so she moved on to try new things.
Fortunately, she discovered one. Her interest in exercise and weightlifting led her to become the first lady to launch a daily TV program and a gym for women's fitness. She was the one who introduced Stallone to the gymnasium in his early days. The 76-year-old actor claimed his mother was obsessed with her physique. It didn't mean she didn't value mental development, but her priorities were different, and it wasn't something usual at the time. This gave him the impression that she was a colorful woman out of place and time.
“All definitely, my mother was an alien one of these days. I expect I see two antennae come out of her head. There’s no question about it she realized it. Old Jacqueline is a brilliant woman but quite eccentric if I do have some resemblance of a sense of humor I caught it from her,” Sly said.
She became a celebrity astrologer and hosted her own show in the mid-1990s. Before that, she worked in promotion and was the face of the 'GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling' campaign.
Viewers can catch Sly with his family and daughters in 'The Family Stallone' on Paramount + every Wednesday.
