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The winners of Big Brother Season 26 and America's Favorite Houseguest were announced in the show's exciting finale. This season was known for its competitive twists, intense social gameplay, and surprises. As the season wrapped up, host Julie Chen Moonves revealed the winners of the three major cash prizes.
Chelsie Baham won the coveted $750,000 as the winner of BB26, while Makensy Manbeck, the runner-up, took home $75,000. The announcement of America's Favorite Houseguest, a title chosen by viewer votes, was among the most anticipated events of the evening.
Following a public voting period, during which fans selected their favorite contestant from the season, Tucker Des Lauriers claimed the $50,000 award. Tucker, who had been a strong player before his eviction on Day 45, thanked viewers for their support and delivered an inspiring message about staying true to oneself.
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Tucker Des Lauriers: America’s favorite houseguest of Big Brother season 26
Tucker stood out from the other contestants from day one by winning BBAI arena challenges. Due to his success in challenges, he became a target early in the season and was known for being highly competitive.
Tucker's personality, charm, and ability to connect with the audience left a lasting impression on viewers, even though he was eliminated midway through the game. His fellow houseguests saw his eviction on Day 45 as a strategic move, but it only increased his popularity outside the house.
Upon receiving the $50,000 prize, Tucker expressed his gratitude to the fans.
"Thank you for understanding me. I hope I can inspire people to be confident in being themselves, whether you’re a goofy, wild, weird dude or not," he said.
Tucker's victory marked a significant moment in the Big Brother show's history, as it was the first time someone in his position, neither a finalist nor a juror, claimed the fan-voted award. After the announcement, Julie remarked,
"This is a history-making moment. This is the first time that a non-finalist and non-juror has ever won."
The voting and legacy of America’s Favorite Houseguest in Big Brother
Big Brother 26 fans had three days to vote on the official CBS website for America's Favorite Houseguest. Tucker Des Lauriers came out on top, followed closely by Angela Murray and Quinn Martin, the other two fan favorites.
All sixteen houseguests of Big Brother season 26, including pre-jurors and finalists, were eligible for the award, making it a highly competitive vote. The viewers’ choice prize is a fan-favorite feature of the show as it allows the audience to reward their favorite player based on more than just game performance.
Some of the most iconic members of America’s Favorite Houseguest group include Taylor Hale from Season 24, Da’Vonne Rogers from Season 22, Nicole Anthony from Season 21, Tyler Crispen from Season 20, Keesha Smith from Season 10, Janelle Pierzina from Season 7, and Jeff Schroeder, who won the title twice in Seasons 11 and 13.
Tucker now joins this esteemed group, standing out for his ability to win over fans despite his early exit from the competition.
Fans can watch the finale episode of Big Brother season 26, which is currently streaming on CBS.
