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Big Brother has been a platform for unexpected connections and deep bonds, and season 26 is no exception. Matt Hardeman, the first evicted contestant, forged a strong bond with fellow houseguest Makensy Manbeck.
Matt spoke candidly about his time on the show, his feelings for Makensy, and his path to Big Brother in a recent podcast with Julie Chen Mooves, the show's host. He said,
"Makensy is amazing; I am super excited to meet up with her after the show. She is a fellow Christian. We only had 10 short days together but it was a long 10 days."
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He further spoke about how his connection would have led to something meaningful if he were to continue in the show and root for Makensy Manbeck to win Big Brother season 26.
Matt and Makensy in Big Brother: A bond formed in “10 short Days”
During his 10 days in the Big Brother house, Matt Hardeman grew close to Makensy Manbeck, a fellow Christian with similar values. Despite his early eviction, Matt said on a podcast that he would have pursued a romantic relationship with her if he had stayed longer, due to her positive energy and shared faith.
Matt expressed his desire to get to know Makensy better once she exits the show, hinting at the potential for a relationship beyond the Big Brother house. He spoke warmly of their time together, emphasizing that the bond they formed in such a short period was meaningful and significant to him. He added that it was chapter one of their relationship in the show, and he hopes to have more chapters with her.
Matt Hardeman’s journey: From struggles to strength
Matt's life had been full of challenges and a deep journey of faith before he moved into the Big Brother house. He mentioned that he used to watch Julie's podcast and it inspired him to audition for the show, explaining that her words had a significant impact on him and encouraged him to take the risk.
Matt Hardeman, a devoted Christian, talked about how his faith had a major impact on his life. Matt's father put him in a private Christian school, where he at first struggled with his beliefs and felt judged and left out by his peers. This made him give up his faith during his freshman year and start doing undesirable things like smoking, drinking, skipping classes, and even giving up football, which he used to love.
An important turning point came when his principal told him what would happen if he didn't change his ways. Matt paid attention to this warning and gave his life to his faith by getting up early every day to read the Bible. This dedication not only helped him get in touch with his spirituality, but it also led him to run programs that encouraged kids to play football.
He finished college in just two years and then went on to get a master's degree in Christian leadership from Darcy College of Seminary while working part-time to pay for it. Matt admitted that choosing this path wasn't easy, as he lost friends along the way. However, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his new life and was determined to follow where his faith led him—even to the Big Brother house.
