The One Trait You Need to Win ‘Big Brother,’ Per Julie Chen Moonves
How to Win Big Brother: Host Julie Chen Moonves Shares Her Secret Strategy
The Big 1,000-Episode Celebration
Big Brother is hitting a huge milestone! On August 27, the show will air its 1,000th original episode—making it the first primetime show ever to reach this number. To celebrate, CBS is planning a special 90-minute episode featuring:
- A live eviction
- Return visits from memorable past houseguests
- A brand-new twist for the current houseguests
Before the big night, host Julie Chen Moonves joined a panel at the Televerse Festival in Los Angeles. The panel—titled "Big Brother: 1,000 Episodes Inside the House"—also included executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan, plus Season 24 winner Taylor Hale.
Julie’s Winning Advice: "Do the Derrick"
When asked what it takes to win, Julie didn’t hesitate. She pointed to Derrick Levasseur, the winner of Season 16.
"I think if you want to win, you’ve got to do the Derrick Levasseur, which is you cannot have loose lips."
Who Is Derrick Levasseur?
- Won Big Brother 16
- Stayed loyal to his alliance partner, Cody Calafiore
- Kept his mouth shut—he didn’t spill secrets or gossip
- Played a smart, quiet game that flew under the radar
Julie’s Translation for Future Players:
- Be a little boring (strategically speaking)
- Don’t talk too much
- Keep your plans to yourself
Important Callout: Julie admitted this makes for bad TV—"That would be terrible for us on the show." But for winning? It works.
There’s No Single "Winning Personality"
Julie reminded everyone that 27 different people have won—and they’ve all played differently.
| Winner | Style |
|---|---|
| Dick Donato (Season 8) | Loud, chaotic, banged pots and pans |
| Dr. Will Kirby (Season 2) | Manipulative, told people "Vote me out" (reverse psychology) |
| Derrick Levasseur (Season 16) | Quiet, loyal, strategic |
| Taylor Hale (Season 24) | Social, resilient, jury management |
Julie’s take: "There is no formula because you never know what kind of chemistry is going to exist and what other personalities you have to coexist with because someone might bring out the worst in you."
The Showmance Factor
A showmance = a romance that starts inside the Big Brother house.
- Some players stop caring about winning because they’re focused on their partner
- But many showmances have made it to the final two—either together or solo
- Several showmance participants have gone on to win
So… it can help or hurt. It depends on how you play it.
Current Season: Big Brother 28
- Airing now: Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS
- Finale: October 1
- About 6 weeks left—plenty of time for blindsides, twists, and shifting alliances
Who do YOU think will win? Drop your prediction in the comments!
Summary: Julie Chen Moonves’ Blueprint for Winning Big Brother
| Key Takeaway | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Loose lips sink ships | Keep your strategy secret—like Derrick Levasseur |
| Quiet > Loud | Being "boring" on camera often means you’re playing smart |
| No one path exists | Winners come in all personalities—loud, sneaky, social, strategic |
| Chemistry is everything | You can’t control who you’re stuck with—adapt or die |
| Showmances are risky | They can carry you to the end… or distract you from the game |
FAQ: Your Big Brother Questions Answered
1. Who is Julie Chen Moonves?
She’s been the host of Big Brother since Day 1 (Season 1, 2000). She’s also married to former CBS executive Les Moonves.
2. What does "do the Derrick" mean?
It means play a quiet, loyal, low-key game. Don’t gossip. Don’t brag. Stick to your alliance. Let others make noise while you pull strings.
3. Has anyone won by being loud?
Yes! Dick Donato (Season 8) won by being chaotic and aggressive. Dr. Will Kirby (Season 2) won by pretending he didn’t care. Different strokes!
4. What’s a showmance?
A romance that starts inside the house. Some are real, some are strategic. They can be a shield—or a target.
5. When is the 1,000th episode?
August 27. It’s a 90-minute special with alumni returns, a live eviction, and a new twist.
6. Where can I watch Big Brother 28?
- Live: CBS (Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 8/7c)
- Streaming: Paramount+ (live & on-demand)
Final Thought: Big Brother isn’t just about competitions—it’s about people. The winner isn’t always the strongest or the smartest. It’s the one who reads the room, keeps secrets, and adapts when the chemistry shifts.
Who’s playing the Derrick game this season? Only time—and the live feeds—will tell.