In the two-hour Sunday night finale, nonprofit director Chelsie Baham, 27, emerged victorious on “Big Brother 26.” She won the main prize of $750,000. The 22-year-old construction worker Makensy Manbeck placed second and took home a $75,000 prize.
Third place went to 25-year-old physical therapist Cam Sullivan-Brown.
The Head of Household competition concluded with a match between Manbeck and Baham, which Manbeck won.
In order to remove Sullivan-Brown, who was now the seventh and last juror, Manbeck made the decision to bring Baham along to the final two.
In an interview with host Julie Chen Moonves, Sullivan-Brown stated that the girls “deserved” to see the game through to the finish and expressed his lack of surprise at being kicked out.
“I think it will be very tough to sit next to Chelsie,” Manbeck remarked in response to a question on whether he made the correct decision in evicting her. However, I do admire her decision and loyalty.
He added that if Baham had prevailed in the ultimate HOH, he would have advanced the team to the final two.
“I intended to stay with Chelsie for the duration.” I adore her a great deal. We’ve been in each other’s lives from the beginning. That was merely a quick game. A tiny dexterity,” he clarified.
The remaining six jury members, Quinn Martin, T’Kor Clottey, Leah Peters, Angela Murray, Kimo Apaka, and Rubina Bernabe, then questioned Baham and Manbeck about their individual games in order to determine who to vote for. Sullivan-Brown then joined them.
Using “the power of my words,” Baham claimed in her address to have persuaded Manbeck to take action against Martin and Peters. She also informed the jury that she preferred not to depend on safety measures like competitions.
“I had a plan. I was gregarious. I have skill,” she remarked.
Throughout the season, Manbeck refuted claims that Baham had any influence on her strategic choices. Because of her physical strength, she also referred to herself as a “competition beast” and said that she “had a target on my back walking into this house.”
All seven of the jury’s votes went to Baham. As confetti showered down on her, she broke down in tears as she left the home to welcome the rest of the cast.
Martin, Murray, and Tucker Des Lauriers were the final three contenders for America’s Favorite Houseguest, as determined by the show’s viewers. The $50,000 award was won by Des Lauriers.
In 2025, “Big Brother” will return for Season 27.