‘Big Brother’ Season 21 Houseguests Break Down Their Strategies to Win $500,000 This Summer (Exclusive)

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

'Big Brother' Season 21 Houseguests Break Down Their Strategies to Win $500,000 This Summer

Another summer, another season of Big Brother is here. But first, cast interviews! Us Weekly talked with each of the 16 new houseguests — from a model and a server to a therapist and even a wine safari guide (whatever that is!) — to get an idea of their plans for the game. We focused our questions on alliances, competitions and ultimately whether they would choose money or loyalty. In the end, someone will take home that $500,000 prize, but who has the winning strategy to get there? [ami-related id="1176615" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-showmances-through-the-years/" title="‘Big Brother’ Showmances Through the Years" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/jeff-and-jordan-and-jessica-and-cody.jpg"] While the twists for this year have yet to be revealed, Julie Chen is returning as host. Meanwhile, this season’s house decor boasts a camping theme, complete with kayaks, archery and a rowboat. The Big Brother 21 two-night premiere begins on CBS Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET. Then on Wednesday, July 10, the CBS series moves to its regular schedule: Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, live evictions on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. [ami-related id="1287055" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-controversies-through-the-years/" title="‘Big Brother’ Controversies Through the Years" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Big-Brother-Season-21-Cast.jpg"] Scroll through to see what the houseguests told Us about their game strategy:

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

'Big Brother' Season 21 Houseguests Break Down Their Strategies to Win $500,000 This Summer

Another summer, another season of Big Brother is here. But first, cast interviews! Us Weekly talked with each of the 16 new houseguests — from a model and a server to a therapist and even a wine safari guide (whatever that is!) — to get an idea of their plans for the game. We focused our questions on alliances, competitions and ultimately whether they would choose money or loyalty. In the end, someone will take home that $500,000 prize, but who has the winning strategy to get there? [ami-related id="1176615" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-showmances-through-the-years/" title="‘Big Brother’ Showmances Through the Years" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/jeff-and-jordan-and-jessica-and-cody.jpg"] While the twists for this year have yet to be revealed, Julie Chen is returning as host. Meanwhile, this season’s house decor boasts a camping theme, complete with kayaks, archery and a rowboat. The Big Brother 21 two-night premiere begins on CBS Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET. Then on Wednesday, July 10, the CBS series moves to its regular schedule: Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, live evictions on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. [ami-related id="1287055" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-controversies-through-the-years/" title="‘Big Brother’ Controversies Through the Years" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Big-Brother-Season-21-Cast.jpg"] Scroll through to see what the houseguests told Us about their game strategy:

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Cliff Hogg III

Age: 53
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Current City: Houston, Texas
Occupation: Petroleum Engineer

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

First quality is it's got to be someone who is logical in the way they approach the game. I also want someone who is somewhat trusting who is going to be able to believe what I'm telling them and work with me, without too much paranoia.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

If I need to, I'll throw a competition. I don't know if that's going to be top of my mind every time, but sure, if I needed to advance my game a little bit, I'm all for it.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

If I had the choice, I'm going to take the person I'm not as close to in the final to give me a better chance of winning the game.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Nicole Anthony

Age: 24
Hometown: Long Island, New York
Current City: Long Island, New York
Occupation: Preschool Aide

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

So when it comes to an alliance partner, I definitely want someone I feel like has good vibes. Walking into the house, you assess everybody and you gauge your type of person. I know that sounds very odd because everybody says that, but you connect with people and that's what I want. I want somebody who takes the game seriously, but also wants to have some fun and enjoy the game. I don't want to be aligned with anybody who's a bully at all, anybody who's mean just to be mean, anybody who's nasty just because they find it funny. I have no tolerance for that. I will not be aligning with anybody I consider not to be a good person.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

As of right now, going into the show, absolutely not. I will not throw a competition. I'm the type of person, I play to win. I'm going to play and win. I've never in my life given up on anything. I never said "ehh, I'll do this halfway" or "I'll give up if the going gets tough." It's not going to happen. If I'm going into a competition, I'm going to do my absolute best. I can't guarantee I'm going to win it, but I will do my absolute best.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

Truthfully, I would probably bring my close ally. I'm a very loyal person and a large part of the way I run my life is - "Will I be able to sleep at night?" If I bring somebody I'm not close to, yeah I might win, but will I be able to sleep at night? Probably not. If I bring someone who has shown their loyalty to me and I've shown my loyalty to them, I don't see why not bring them. If I win, obviously that's tremendous. If they win, yes it will be hard for me to swallow, but at least I know they were a good person, they were good to me, and they deserved it.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Sam Smith

Age: 31
Hometown: West Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Current City: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Truck Driver

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

Definitely friendship and I think they have to be like me. You got to be outgoing together, we got to bond. I think that's what I'm looking for, someone I can really mesh with. But also someone who can be quiet because I don't want it to become a spectacle where they see me. I want them to be able to leave the room quick and say, "I'll talk to you in two days." You trust me, I trust you. We got each other. Let's do this.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I would throw a competition because I'm not going to win the first HOH. I'm definitely going to throw that, however, I'm going to try to pretend to win it because if I happen to maybe win it, I make rethink my decision, but if I lose, I'm on record saying I threw it. So we're good there. I think I would definitely try to throw the first HOH. I don't think I'll ever throw Power of Veto. I'll try to win those every single time.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

Even if I had a good alliance with somebody and I trusted them fully, like Derrick and Cody, if I love them to pieces, but I knew they were a threat, I would 100 percent leave them behind. I would take someone else who's not a threat because I'm here to win the money and for my family. I'm not here for a friend who can be gone tomorrow. Sorry, it sucks. It is what it is. I'm here to win.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Analyse Talvera

Age: 22
Hometown: Northridge, California
Current City: Simi Valley, California
Occupation: College Soccer Star

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

Definitely trust. Someone I can get along with and someone who is fun to be around and has the same personality as me.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I would definitely throw a competition because if it's able to benefit me and not put a target on my back, that way I don't have two people up and get blood on my hands, then I will definitely do that.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I think I would choose someone I'm not close with and can beat just because I want to win the money. It's a better chance for me to win the money.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Kemi Faknule

Age: 25
Hometown: Elkridge, Maryland
Current City: Brooklyn, New York
Occupation: Marketing Strategist

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

The main qualities I'll look for is someone who is trustworthy and their ability to keep a secret. I need someone who can be a little stealth.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I would definitely throw a competition if I felt like I was winning too many and people were on to me. I would try not to though. I'm a naturally competitive person, so I like to beat people at pretty much everything.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I'm taking someone I'm not close with. I'm sorry, but I'm here to win the money, not to make friends. We can be friends outside the house.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Christie Murphy

Age: 28
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Current City: Keyport, New Jersey
Occupation: Boutique Owner

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I think I'm going to look for someone who is definitely more of a physical competitor since I'm not the most physical person. I want someone who is athletic and I also want someone who lays a little bit under the radar and very level-tempered, who won't make too many waves in the house.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Yes. I will throw a competition. I have no problem falling first in an endurance competition and that's because I'm so confident in my mental abilities and my memory. I feel like I'm going to wipe through all the mental competitions and I don't want to seem like a triple threat.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

That's the hardest question. I think at the end of the day, I would want to take my closest ally. I would still rather take second place and keep my integrity rather than be a sellout, lose a potential vote and a potential friend in the real world. I'd be fine with second.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

David Alexander

Age: 29
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current City: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation: Photographer

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I look for someone who is trustworthy, a hard competitor and someone who has my back.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Yeah, I'll absolutely throw a competition. If it's in my best interest of my alliance or alliance partner, or to make sure it works for the long game to win that half milion.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I would choose someone I'm not close with who I'm likely to beat. The reason being I'm here to win a half million dollars, ultimately, this is a short time frame to win that. This is the best chance to win.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Jackson Michie

Age: 23
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Server

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

Obviously loyalty is No. 1, but also somebody I can get along with and be friends with inside or outside the house. I'll be living with these people, so it's got to be someone I can get along with. Birds of a feather flock together. Someone I'm similar to and at the same time, someone who can help me further my game without jeopardizing my game.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Absolutely. You have to do what you have to do in this house. Whether it's win or lose a competition, you need to know your lane and you need to stay in it to do what's necessary. Sometimes you need to be a little aggressive, sometimes you need to pull back. Going in aggressive gives you a target, so sometimes you need to lessen that a bit and you have to throw a competition to smoothen things out and keep an even keel.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I'm there for $500,000. I'm not there for friends.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Jessica Milagros

Age: 30ish
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Current City: Oak Park, Illinois
Occupation: Model

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I think what I would look for is someone who I felt in my gut was genuine and strong.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I think it would depend. I would never throw a veto competition. That's a for sure no. I may or may not throw an HOH competition, depending. I definitely don't want to win the first one. I already know that.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I want to say I would take my No. 1 ally. I really want to be genuine and stick to my promises.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Isabella Wang

Age: 22
Hometown: Mount Olive, New Jersey
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Public Health Analyst

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I will definitely look for someone who is outgoing as I am so we can have a bunch of mini alliances everywhere. And someone who I feel is trustworthy.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I will throw a competition if it means it's absolutely necessary for my alliance, but otherwise I'm really competitive.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I'm definitely taking the person I can beat because I'm here to win the money.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Nick Maccarone

Age: 27
Hometown: Sewell, New Jersey
Current City: Sewell, New Jersey
Occupation: Therapist

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I'm going to look for a couple different characteristics. So No. 1, I definitely want an athlete, both male and female, someone who looks athletic. I also really want someone who is smart. So if they are athletic and smart, that's just a double whammy, which is amazing. I also want someone short. I feel like short people always do amazing in wall comps. I might need them to win a wall comp. So I need someone short on my team. I know that's weird, but that's just my observation from every time I've watched.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I would definitely throw a competition if I had to. I'm still up in the air about the first comp, whether I want to win or not. It really just depends on how much of an athletic or physical threat I would look like. If it's something like last year with Tyler where he just had to put the balls into the cylinder, I would definitely win that type of competition. But if it's really a tough physical one, I probably won't want to win it. Going further in the season, you also have to strategize which comps you do want to win, and which ones you don't. For sure, I'd have to throw some if I needed to.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I didn't really watch Season 16, but I do know the whole Derrick and ... sorry I don't remember his brother's name. That whole scenario with Cody taking Derrick, knowing he was going to lose. That was his day one. Right? Isn't that how it worked? I get it. I feel like you have to be loyal to that partner. You got there, most likely, because of that person. So you have to reward them with that. Obviously taking that other person you know you can beat would be nice, if that's my day one, I'm bringing them.

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Ovi Kabir

Age: 22
Hometown: Oakridge, Tennessee
Current City: Knoxville, Tennessee
Occupation: College Student

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

Someone who is loyal, someone who has an idea of the game, but is open to learning a bit more about it and somebody who wants to work with me and try to better my game to. If I see someone who is just about their own game, I know at the end of the day, that person will worry about themselves and cut me at the end. I need to make sure I find an alliance partner who will look to me for help and also lean on me because they don't feel like they have everything together.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Yeah, I would definitely throw a competition if need be because I think it's important to be seen as a strong competitor, but I don't want to be seen as a threat in the game. If I see my current strategy in the game at that point is pretty solid, I don't need to worry about winning a competition, I'm going to throw that competition because it will paint a bigger target on my back that I don't need.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I would have to definitely take the person I'm not close to and can definitely beat. That close ally, as much as I'll love them in the house, I'm loyal to them for that part of the game, but the first person I'm loyal to is my family back home. I need to get that money, that $500,000. I've been a fan of this game for so long and I want to win. So whatever gives me the best shot of winning this game at the end, no matter who it is, I'm going to take them to the end.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Kathryn Dunn

Age: 29
Hometown: Irving, Texas
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Occupation: Digital Marketing Executive

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

That is going to be something that's super tricky because that's essentially going to be the person that carries you through the competition. I really don't want somebody that is going to be involved in the drama because I don't want them putting a target on my back. They will get evicted and I'll be alone. Probably someone who is keeping a pretty level head in the house. I'm actually kind of thinking it would be a good idea to get a final 2 alliance with someone on the other side of the house. Of course I have to really trust that person. But just so they can be spying for me and seeing what the other team is thinking, if they are trying to put me on the block that week, what's going on, so we'll see. Hopefully there will be someone who is looking for the same thing in an alliance partner on the other side of the house. Getting that person is going to be super tricky.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Yes and no. I think it's really important to take a bird in the hand. If you're in the lead for the competition, that could be your only chance to get HOH. Or Power of Veto. The only time I'll probably ever throw it would be if there's a super rocky week and everyone is kind of geared toward my alliance. In the way that if I didn't put them up on the block, the whole house would turn against me. If it was a super controversial week. But other than that, I think it's important to play your hardest and see where the game falls. Take what you can get.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

That's tricky because I don't want to say an answer that's all like, "World peace. Yes, I would take my ally." But man, I think if you play a solid game and if you're meant to win, you'll win. There are so many unknowns that go into it. The whole jury can vote against you just because they're jealous or just because they don't like you. When it's all said and done, it honestly doesn't really matter who you're up against. It just matters what the jury thinks of you. So if I play the game I'm hoping I get to play, then I would feel much better going in with my ally just because man, it would suck to lose to somebody you didn't even like. And especially if you thought you could beat that person. At least if it was someone I got to know and really respected in the game, I could maybe finish second place to them. And be happy about it. When it's all said and done, I don't want to lose to someone I hate. That would be worse.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Holly Allen

Age: 31
Hometown: Lander, Wyoming
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Wine Safari Guide

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I want an ally who has qualities that mirror mine. Being from Wyoming, I was always taught to work hard and be honest. So not only do I want somebody who I can trust through and through, but I want somebody who has the drive that I do. I don't wnat them to get easily distracted and stray off course. I don't want them to lose motivation. I want them to be able to go alongside me, trust me, allow me to trust them, and never ever give up.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I have learned through life when to pick my battles. I'm going to fight tooth and nail to win as many competitions as I can, but if the opportunity arises where it benefits me more to throw a comp, then I will do so.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

If I made a deal at the beginning of the game for a final 2, even if it might not be the smartest game move, I think I would have to go with my heart and make a decision that I know I won't regret later on in life. I would want to win fair and square. I would want to take a deserving person as well so if the half million dollars doesn't go to me, then I can feel damn good about whoever it does go to. So if it's my closest ally that I have a final 2 with, then it's a fair game and a fair vote.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Jack Matthews

Age: 28
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Current City: Tampa, Florida
Occupation: Fitness Trainer

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

Somebody who is absolutely competitive, who doesn't want to lose in any way shape or form, or is willing to fold. Confidence is a huge thing. I'm not a big fan of insecurity. Being confident in who you are as a competitor on the show, as well as your self.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

Yeah, I think throwing a competition if someone looks over to me and says, "I got you for this week," based on something like I won before, if I won the veto before that. I think there's a certain situation for everything. I'm definitely into the idea of respecting somebody's competitiveness and honoring their competitiveness. If I had felt like they had earned it, I'd definitely honor the idea of throwing it.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

I'm taking the ally because I'm going to be stuck in that house with them. I have to spend an extra 30 days with that person. So for sure, I definitely have confidence in myself with my plan and how I carry myself through this house. I do believe the jury will tend to like me, whether it's my gameplay or the way that I treat people.

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Tommy Bracco

Age: 28
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Current City: Staten Island, New York
Occupation: Broadway Dancer

What main qualities will you look for in an alliance partner?

I'm going to look for somebody who is No. 1 authentic. I want somebody who's real, who I can really trust, who I can build a strong bond with and really count on. But, here's the thing, I also want them to be a bigger target than I am. I never want to befriend somebody where I'll be the bigger target than them. That way, when people have a chance to separate this duo, they are going to vote them out before me.

Would you ever throw a competition? Why or why not?

I will 1000 percent be throwing competitions. I am a dancer and growing up as a dancer, I'm really physically fit. I'm ready to compete in these endurance competitions. I know I'm going to be great. But I do not want to show up as a threat. I don't want people to know how great I am at these competitions until halfway through. So for the first half of the season, I plan to throw a bunch of the competitions. Not to lay low, I still want to be my crazy, fun, authentic self, but I want to not play so hard in the beginning.

If you had the choice to take your No. 1 ally to the final two (knowing it would be a close vote), or someone you're not close with (but can likely beat), which do you choose and why?

This is a really tough question. I think knowing myself, if I had to choose, I would choose somebody where it would be a close vote. The reason why is because I think that gains the respect of the jury. I think jury management is something so many players forget about. I think I can talk my way out of or into anything I want to. But I think about Paul and he was one of the best players in history. But he didn't have great jury management. I think it would go a long way bringing somebody who everyone respects, who everyone loves. That would show the jury what kind of person I am, that I deserve the $500,000 over them anyway.