"Handed over the prize money"— Big Brother fans divided by Chelsie winning season 26 over Makensy

Big Brother season 26 aired its finale this week on Sunday, October 13, 2024. The segment saw the final three — Chelsie, Cam, and Makensy — compete in a series of competitions to determine the final 2. By winning two out of three HoH competitions, Makensy had the power to decide who she wanted to take in front of the jury with her.

She picked Chelsie to accompany her to the final two and the jury members then voted for who they wanted to win season 26. Chelsie received the majority of the votes and became the recipient of the grand prize of $750,000, while Makensy won $75,000 as the runner-up.

Fans of the CBS show commented on Makensy taking Chelsie to the jury and the latter winning the show:

"I’ve never seen a player give away the win before. MJ handed over the prize money for loyalty on a game that runs on deception and deceit."

Big Brother fans comment on the finale (Image via X@WandSeller)

"Literally she was controlling the second half girl, that's the mastermind. And poor MJ thought she was aware of everything!! Deserving winner atlast and all credit goes to her puppet MJ!! Otherwise normal person wouldn't have taken her to final 2!!" a fan commented.

"Wait until MJ watches the playbacks & sees how easily she was manipulated by this “I’m so godly” fake ass b*tch & handed her the money by being “loyal” to a professional liar. I wish I was there when MJ sees that Chelsie said she would have taken Cam over her!" a tweet reads.

Fans of Big Brother season 26 praised the contestant's victory:

"Chelsie is now the first ever -woman to win unanimously -second HOH to win the season -4th HG to enter the house and then win and has also tied the record for most HOH's in a season! history making QUEEN!" a person wrote.

"the new era of Big Brother has been so refreshing…congratulations to Chelsie on a phenomenal game & joining the ranks of legends," a fan commented.

"This girl worked & earned this; Chelsie is very deserving of being the winner of BB26. Congrats!" a tweet read.

Big Brother season 26 fans further said:

"CONGRATS CHELSIE But Makensy with one of the dumbest moves in big brother history. basically handed her $750,000," a person wrote.

"CONGRATS TO CHELSIE BAHAM ON WINNING BIG BROTHER 26!!! d*mn what a STRONG finish another great winner in the books," a fan commented.

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"I was strategic, I was social, I was skillful"— Big Brother season 26 finalist Chelsie discusses her gameplay

In the Big Brother season 26 finale, which aired on Sunday, October 13, 2024, Chelsie and Makensy, the final two, pled their cases to the jury ahead of their decision. She said that she told herself in the beginning that she didn't want to have to rely merely on winning competitions to survive.

Chelsie said she wanted to ensure her victory even if she lost competitions and explained that she did it in three ways.

"I was strategic, I was social, I was skillful. I made wise decisions, knew when to speak, knew when not to," she said.

The cast member added that she was social throughout season 26 and ensured there was always a bigger target next to her. Chelsie stated she made sure people saw a bigger threat than she was and that she had "one-on-one conversations with everybody."

Recalling her wins in season 26, she said she won "the most" HoH competitions, and put up 12 nominees and eight houseguests for evictions. She added that she had only been on the block once since Day 38.

"I played a competitive game, I won when I wanted to, not when I had to," Chelsie said.

The season 26 contestant chimed in on the final HoH competition against Makensy and said she knew she would be in the final two regardless.

Fans reacted to Chelsie winning the show and were divided. While some believed she deserved the win, others believed Makensy made a mistake that cost her the title.

Episodes of Big Brother season 26 are available to stream on Paramount+.