Big Brother is back for its 26th season in 2024, with new changes and a fresh cast of contestants in Big Brother US season 26. The show started in 2000 and has a group of people living together in a huge house. Cameras record them all the time. They face different challenges and compete for a big prize of $750,000.
Season 26 of Big Brother started on CBS on July 17, 2024. Fans are excited to see how the new HouseGuests get along in Episode 1. Keep reading to learn more about the contestants in Big Brother US season 26 and who is hosting this season.
Who is the host of ‘Big Brother US Season 26‘?
According to CBS, Julie Chen Moonves is back as the host for Season 26. She has been hosting the show since it first started in July 2000.
Advertisement People sometimes call her the “Chenbot” because she is precise on camera and always stays objective. She has shown these traits throughout her time on the show.
In June 2024, Moonves confirmed her return on Instagram and teased something wild for Season 26. She said it will be “unlike any season we’ve had yet”:
“This summer, things aren’t what they seem. [‘Big Brother 26’] will be different from any season we’ve had before, and it’s only a month away.”
Who’s Who in Big Brother 2024: Meet the 16 Houseguests Competing for the $750,000 Prize
1) Angela Murray
- Age: 50
- Occupation: Real estate agent
Angela Murray, who is 50 years old, comes from Syracuse, Utah, and works as a real estate agent. She told a magazine that she had wanted to be on Big Brother since she first saw the show and decided to apply after her kids grew up and moved out.
Angela believes she can win the grand prize because she is good with people and can spot when others are plotting against her. She plans to be herself without apologies and hopes to be the first 50-year-old woman to win the grand prize.
2) Brooklyn Rivera
- Age: 34
- Occupation: Business administrator
Brooklyn Rivera, a business administrator, comes from Dallas, Texas, but is now in Los Angeles, California for Big Brother. She and her husband watch the show constantly and even involve their kids in planning how she would compete.
Brooklyn is sure she can win because she is tough and determined. She aims to be the first married mom to win the show and plans to use talking as her secret weapon to outsmart the other HouseGuests.
3) Cam Sullivan-Brown
- Age: 25
- Occupation: Physical therapist
Cam Sullivan-Brown, a physical therapist from Bowie, Maryland, travelled to Los Angeles for Big Brother. He joined the show because he sees it as a fun social experiment he’s experienced throughout his life. Cam hopes to make friends and compete in the game simultaneously.
He thinks his friendly nature and ability to get along with everyone will help him win. Cam describes himself as both “charismatic” and “competitive.” He plans to use his charm and smart strategies to connect with some of the older contestants, hoping it will give him an advantage as the game goes on.
4) Cedric Hodges
- Age: 21
- Occupation: Former Marine
Cedric Hodges, a 21-year-old former Marine from Boise, Idaho, joins the Big Brother 2024 cast. He wants to compete to inspire his siblings and strengthen their family bond.
Cedric’s ability to adapt to any situation is his key strength. He believes the social part of the game is important and thinks his ability to adjust will help him win.
5) Chelsie Baham
- Age: 27
- Occupation: Nonprofit director
Chelsie Baham, a 27-year-old Rancho Cucamonga, California director, is excited to join Big Brother. She’s been a big fan of the show for ten years and wants to win the game herself.
Chelsie believes her love for the show and strategic thinking will help her win. She plans to use her smarts to play well and build real friendships with the other HouseGuests.
6) Joseph Rodriguez
- Age: 30
- Occupation: Video store clerk
Joseph Rodriguez, a 30-year-old video store clerk from Tampa, Florida, is joining Big Brother 2024. He’s a big fan of reality TV and likes to compete in poker.
Joseph thinks he’s good at all parts of the game without being too flashy. He plans to start off low-key, hiding his excitement and not acting like a big threat so he can sneak through to the end and win.
7) Kenney Kelley
- Age: 52
- Occupation: Former undercover cop
Kenney Kelly, a former cop from Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest contestant in Big Brother Season 26. He got interested in the show after seeing New England police officer Derrick Levasseur win Season 16 and wants to impress his wife, a fan.
Kenney plans to use his age and experience to win. He wants to take things one week at a time, stay in the middle of the pack, and use his skills to read people to come out on top.
8) Kimo Apaka
- Age: 35
- Occupation: Mattress sales rep
Kimo Apaka, a mattress sales rep from Hilo, Hawai’i, is excited to join Big Brother. Since childhood, he has loved the show and tried several times before finally getting on Season 26.
Kimo believes his love for the show will help him win the $750,000 grand prize. His strategy is to use his Hawaiian roots and “aloha spirit” to get along with everyone and build good relationships with his fellow contestants.
9) Leah Peters
- Age: 26
- Occupation: VIP cocktail server
Leah Peters, a VIP cocktail server from Miami, Florida, originally hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She wanted to join Big Brother because her mom and sister, who are big fans, thought she would be perfect for the show.
Leah believes she will win simply because she has a “26” tattoo and feels it’s meant to be. Her strategy is to get to know the other contestants first, then use her social skills to make friends and fit in.
10) Lisa Weintraub
- Age: 33
- Occupation: Celebrity chef
Lisa Weintraub, a 33-year-old celebrity chef from Los Angeles, California, is excited to join Big Brother. She decided to compete because she wanted to challenge herself and prove she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.
Lisa’s confidence is her biggest strength. She told People she is “the best” and is “in it to win it.” She plans to use her cooking skills to impress the other contestants, make friends, and show off her personality to win.
11) Makensy Manbeck
- Age: 22
- Occupation: Construction project manager
Makensy Manbeck, a 22-year-old construction project manager from Houston, Texas, is one of the younger contestants on Big Brother. Even though she’s a newer fan of the show, she believes she has what it takes to succeed.
Makensy feels confident because she’s strong socially, mentally, and physically. She plans to start quietly, make friends first, and become more competitive later on.
12) Matt Hardeman
- Age: 25
- Occupation: Tech sales rep
Matt Hardeman, a 25-year-old tech sales representative from Roswell, Georgia, is excited to join Big Brother. He sees this as a chance to step out of his usual routine, be himself, and make new friends.
Matt believes he is good both physically and socially. He wants to show that he has more to offer than just his looks and strength. He also knows his weaknesses but hopes that being friendly and approachable will help him win people over and succeed in the game.
13) Quinn Martin
- Age: 25
- Occupation: Nurse recruiter
Quinn Martin, a nurse recruiter from Lawton, Oklahoma, has watched every season of Big Brother since Season 11. Joining the show is a dream come true for him.
Quinn believes his mix of skills will help him win. He was a dual-sport college athlete and works well with people. He plans to lie, cheat, and steal only as a last resort, hoping to connect with emotional contestants to avoid being betrayed.
14) Rubina Bernabe
- Age: 35
- Occupation: Event bartender
Rubina Bernabe, an event bartender from Los Angeles, joins Big Brother with a strong sense of belonging. Though not a hardcore fan, she feels her tough experiences and hard work make her a great fit for the show.
Rubina believes people need “a Filipino in their life” and wants to use her heritage as motivation to win. She aims to avoid being a big target and plans to bring “big sis energy” to keep things real with the other HouseGuests.
15) T’Kor Clottey
- Age: 23
- Occupation: Crochet business owner
T’Lor Clottey, from Atlanta, Georgia, originally from London, England, owns a crochet business. She loves taking risks and trying new things, which made her want to compete on Big Brother and make her two moms proud.
T’Lor plans to win by using her life skills and her degree in sociology to read people well. She aims to warm up to everyone with her positive energy before showing her competitive side.
16) Tucker Des Lauriers
- Age: 30
- Occupation: Marketing and sales executive
Tucker Des Lauriers, a marketing and sales executive from Brooklyn, New York, joined Big Brother to play “human chess” with new, competitive people. He has lived away from family during school and spent several summers in Los Angeles.
As the youngest in his loud, wild Italian family, Tucker knows how to compete and get along with all kinds of people. He plans to cook meals for the other contestants to help them relax and share secrets, using his love for food as a strategy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the contestants in Big Brother US Season 26 each have their own unique backgrounds and strategies that will make this season thrilling. With such a diverse group, seeing how they’ll compete and interact is exciting. Keep watching to find out who will come out on top and win the grand prize!
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