Big Brother has crowned its latest winner for season 28.
Rick Devens won by a jury vote of six to one during the Thursday, October 1, live finale, receiving the $750,000 cash prize. Taylor Brown came in second place earning $75,000.
Taylor, 27, won the first part of the last Head of Household competition while Devens, 42, was victorious in the second. The pair faced off in the final round where Devens was victorious and decided to evict Drew Campbell.
Devens also took home the prize of America’s Favorite’s houseguest earning an additional cash prize of $50,000. He also earned $10,000 from the pharaoh’s curse twist earlier this season.
Season 28’s theme took the houseguests throughout history with the dining room table time machine. The time machine also brought the reality TV icons Devens, Dee Valladares and Angela Murray in the mix to compete against a group of newbies.
Devens, who is best known for competing on Survivor: Edge of Extinction and Survivor 50, was the front runner to win the whole game. The former news anchor not only won several competitions but also formed multiple powerhouse alliances. Devens also made bold, daring moves including saving his ally Dee with the Diamond Power of Veto, which Devens earned during week 2 from the BB Time Capsule.
While Drew was tight with Devens and the other icons all season long, he made a name for himself in the game. Drew also won multiple competitions and was in the middle of two big alliances. Many have described Drew as a “weasel” all season long, but the strategy earned took him all the way to the finale.
Taylor, for her part, took the opposite approach as she laid low at the start of the game. She formed an instant bond with Latrice “Lala” Verrett and coached her on how to navigate the competition. After Lala was evicted and became the first member of the jury, Taylor started winning competitions when she needed them most including the final four HoH, which secured her spot in the finale.
Ahead of the finale, Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves exclusively told Us her thoughts on the final three.
“It’s anyone’s game. I’m so excited, and I’m happy no matter who wins because I’m very happy with this final three,” she gushed.
Chen Moonves shared that she was rooting for Taylor to win it all.
“I think she’s someone who won when she had to know not to let emotions get the best of her. Didn’t have loose lips or you know her ego like lash out,” she explained. “If that meant she stayed confined to her pod a lot, it’s a strategy, and I love that she loves Jesus so much, and she and she gave him the glory when she won that last puzzle competition. I just love her.”
