Big Brother Season 27 Ends with a Bang: Ashley Hollis Victorious, Then Unleashes on Vince Panaro

Well, Big Brother Season 27 wrapped up, and let's just say the drama didn't stay locked inside the house. Ashley Hollis, the 25-year-old attorney from Chicago, snagged the massive $750,000 prize. But before she even had time to properly celebrate, she took to Instagram to send a scorching message to her runner-up, Vince Panaro. Talk about a post-finale mic drop!

Ashley Hollis Secures the Big Brother Season 27 Win and the Grand Prize

The season 27 finale, which aired on September 28, saw Ashley Hollis crowned the winner. This wasn't just any win; it was a dominant one. After making it to the final three with Vince Panaro and Morgan Pope, Ashley won the final Head of Household (HOH) competition. She chose Vince to sit next to her in the final two. The jury then cast their votes, and Ashley secured her victory with a resounding 6-1 vote, sending Vince home with the runner-up prize.

When asked about her plans for the $750,000 prize money, Ashley told Entertainment Weekly she wasn't going to spend it wildly. She stated she plans to "live within my means," take her family on a trip, give a "good chunk" to her parents, and save the rest for future plans like buying a house. Practical for a Big Brother winner!

The Epic Post-Finale Showdown: Ashley Hollis vs. Vince Panaro on Social Media

The heat between Ashley and Vince was simmering all season, but it boiled over after the finale. On September 29, Ashley shared a video on Instagram, a compilation of clips showing Vince talking trash about her inside the Big Brother house.

In one clip, Vince claimed, "Ashley doesn't know what the f--k is going on. She doesn't know which way is up? Why does she get to get carried?" Another moment showed him saying, "That's why I hate that she's even come this far. She does not deserve to be here."

Ashley wasn't about to let those remarks slide. She fired back in her Instagram caption, writing, "There’s truly no better feeling than beating a cry baby in 6-1 vote whewww." She then directly addressed Vince, stating, "Should’ve gotten me out week one babes! Oh wait, you failed at that because I won the power of veto and took myself off the block!" Ouch.

Vince, who walked away with $75,000 for second place, had not publicly responded to Ashley's message at the time. However, several other Big Brother alums jumped in to support Ashley. Season 26 contestant Leah Peters commented, "I mean.... Clocked," while Tucker Des Lauriers added, "Hahaha let's goooooo!!" Jimmy Heagerty, who played alongside Ashley on season 27, even quipped, "Get her jade." It seems Ashley wasn't the only one with feelings about Vince.

Jimmy Heagerty's Season 27 Regrets and His Thoughts on Vince Panaro

It turns out Ashley's dislike for Vince was shared by others. Jimmy Heagerty, who was evicted from season 27 on August 7, previously admitted he regretted not focusing more on trying to get Vince out of the house. He told the Cincinnati Enquirer in an interview published August 11, "Do I wish I'd maybe taken a shot at somebody like Vince? Absolutely." This just reinforces the idea that Vince might have rubbed a few people the wrong way during the game.

Ashley Hollis's Winning Strategy: Channeling Elle Woods and Hilary Banks

Ashley Hollis didn't look to past Big Brother winners for inspiration. Instead, she drew lessons from fictional icons: Elle Woods from Legally Blonde and Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She told Us Weekly that these characters are "very intelligent women, but people don’t necessarily know that outwardly."

She explained that they keep "some of their cards hidden" while remaining "spunky and fun and bubbly," which helps them be well-liked. Ashley saw this as a way to avoid being seen as an early threat in the game. "In Big Brother terms, they’re not necessarily a threat," she said. "There are a few people that don’t necessarily like this person, and so they have a target on their back, just enough just to keep them around long."

Ashley, a lawyer herself, chose not to reveal her occupation to most of the houseguests until later in the game. This strategy became critical when she was targeted in week one after taking an extra-long shower. She reflected, "I mean, my social game was in the absolute gutter. Because when you are on the block week one in your target, you essentially have the plague."

Winning the first Power of Veto saved her, allowing her to stick to her strategy and build alliances. She actively sought out "cracks in anybody’s relationships," using those openings to form bonds and use other players as "shields." Her path was certainly not easy, but her approach clearly paid off, leading her to victory against the very person who tried to send her home first. She even called it "poetic" to win that final HOH and beat Vince after his week one attempt to evict her. Despite the gameplay, Ashley stated she "did really grow to like Vince as a person" and believes he "really is a nice guy," even if his gameplay tactics were confusing.

Vince Panaro: The "Weasel of All Weasels" and His Messy Game

Vince Panaro was undeniably a central figure in Big Brother Season 27, labeled by some as the "weasel of all weasels." His gameplay was a masterclass in making alliances with everyone, only to disappoint them. The season became an exercise in watching Vince alienate those around him until he had few left, inside and outside the house.

His strained relationship with his initial final-two ally, Kelley Jorgensen, began when her choice to go on the block voluntarily often resulted in her staying there, usually thanks to Vince. Keanu Soto also made the mistake of trying to build a gamelong relationship with Vince, only for them to repeatedly betray each other. It was a chaotic dynamic.

The "Cheatmance" That Captivated Big Brother Season 27 Viewers

One of the most talked-about storylines involving Vince was his "cheatmance" with Morgan Pope. This bizarre frenemy dynamic started with increasingly intimate physical contact—"unnervingly long hugs, cuddles, and hand caresses"—that made other houseguests and viewers uncomfortable, especially after Morgan's earlier crush, Zach Cornell, left the house.

Vince had a girlfriend of seven years, Kelsey, on the outside. Her absence from Vince's loved-ones video message was noted as a bad sign. The late-night chats between Vince and Morgan became very personal, going beyond mere "comfort," as they described it. The situation became high-stakes, not necessarily because viewers wanted Vince and Morgan together, but because the real-life implications for Vince's relationship outside the house were palpable. This "cringe-inducing stuff," as one observer put it, was a major factor, especially as Vince began to openly question his relationship status. The fact that these two likely ended up in the finals together added another layer of intrigue to this particular Big Brother scenario.

Big Brother Season 27 Finale Viewership: A Strong Comeback for the Series

The season 27 finale wasn't just big for Ashley Hollis; it was a major win for CBS in terms of viewership. The two-hour live finale on Sunday attracted an average of 4.3 million viewers. This marks the show's biggest audience in over three years, since a final episode of Season 24 hit 4.5 million viewers on September 18, 2022. It was also a significant 33% improvement compared to the Season 26 finale's 3.2 million viewers.

Overall, Season 27 had a robust performance. As of September 25, it had been streamed for 8.4 billion minutes, a 27% increase from the prior year. Episodes averaged 5.1 million viewers after 35 days of availability, up 23% from the previous season's Live + 35 Day average. Live + Same Day data showed Season 27 averaging 3.2 million viewers per episode, with the finale outperforming that average by 33%.

Big Brother's Cash Prizes: What Winners, Runner-Ups, and Favorites Take Home

Big Brother is known for its intense competition, and a significant part of that is the cash prizes at stake. Here's how the money breaks down:

How Much Money Does the Big Brother Winner Get?

Since Season 23 in 2021, the Big Brother winner has taken home a massive $750,000. This was an increase from the original $500,000 prize. Host Julie Chen Moonves announced this change during the Season 23 premiere. Past winners like Ian Terry (Season 14) used their half-million winnings for practical things like student loans, tuition, a home, and a car. Dan Gheesling (Season 10) invested most of his prize, making practical purchases like a condo down payment, and continued working daily.

How Much Money Does the Big Brother Runner-Up Get?

While not the grand prize, the runner-up still earns a substantial amount. As of 2024, the second-place winner receives $75,000. Before Season 23, this prize was $50,000. Makensy Manbeck, a Season 26 runner-up, noted the money as a "bonus," appreciating the self-worth gained during the process alongside the cash.

How Much Money Does America’s Favorite Houseguest Get?

Big Brother also allows fans to reward their favorite player. Introduced in Season 7 as America's Choice Jury Prize, it later included all houseguests. America's Favorite Houseguest is chosen by fan votes on the CBS website. The prize, initially $25,000, was increased to $50,000 in Season 23. For Season 27, Keanu Soto was crowned America's Favorite Houseguest, taking home the $50,000 prize. Keanu, Rachel Reilly, and Cliffton "Will" Williams had the most votes, with Keanu securing over 65% of them.

Do Big Brother Contestants Get Paid Weekly While in the House?

Yes, houseguests on Big Brother do get paid while filming. They receive a weekly stipend of $1,000 for as long as they are in the house. Season 19 contestant Elena Davies revealed this, explaining that even if you're the first person evicted, you still get your first $1,000. Davies, who stayed until day 68, received the full 13-week stipend as she technically filmed the entire season.

A Look at the Big Brother Season 27 Cast and Other Notable Moments

Season 27 brought together a diverse group of individuals into "The Hotel Mystère."

• Lauren Domingue: Age 22, Bridal consultant from Lafayette, La.
• Adrian Rocha: Age 23, Carpenter from San Antonio, Texas.
• Vince Panaro: Age 34, Unemployed from West Hills, Calif.
• Katherine Woodman: Age 23, Fine dining server from Gwinnett County, Ga.
• Jimmy Heagerty: Age 25, AI consultant from Sarasota, Fla., living in Washington, D.C.
• Kelley Jorgensen: Age 29, Web designer from Burbank, S.D.
• Keanu Soto: Age 33, Dungeon master from Miami, Fla., living in McKinney, Texas.
• Cliffton "Will" Williams: Age 50, College sports podcaster from Wallace, S.C., living in Charlotte, N.C.
• Eva Pearl: Age 24, Aura painter from Long Island, N.Y., living in New York, N.Y.
• Rylie Jeffries: Age 27, Professional bull rider from Luther, Okla.
• Isaiah "Zae" Frederich: Age 23, Salesperson from Paducah, Ky., living in Provo, Utah.
• Zach Cornell: Age 27, Marketing manager from Cartersville, Ga.
• Amy Bingham: Age 43, Insurance agent from Stockton, Calif.
• Ashley Hollis: Age 25, Attorney from Chicago, Ill., living in New York, N.Y.
• Mickey Lee: Age 35, Event curator from Jacksonville, Fla., living in Atlanta, Ga.
• Morgan Pope: Age 33, Gamer from Palm Springs, Calif., living in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Big Brother Season 27 Final Three and the Jury Who Decided the Winner

The final three housemates to battle it out were Vince Panaro, Morgan Pope, and Ashley Hollis. Ashley won the final three-part HOH competition, ultimately choosing Vince to face the jury with her.

The jury, responsible for determining the winner, consisted of:

• Rachel Reilly
• Cliffton “Will” Williams
• Kelley Jorgensen
• Lauren Domingue
• Keanu Soto
• Ava Pearl
• Morgan Pope

The jury votes broke down as follows: Rachel, Will, Kelley, Lauren, Keanu, and Ava all voted for Ashley. Morgan was the sole vote for Vince. This led to Ashley's 6-1 victory.

Unmasking the BB Mastermind and Reflecting on the "White Locust" Twist

On finale night, the identity of the BB Mastermind was revealed to be Big Brother alums Jessie Godderz, Frankie Grande, and Eric Stein. These housemates had all been evicted in their respective seasons due to game twists. Frankie Grande even entered the house to host Part 2 of the final HOH competition.

One controversial moment in the season was the "White Locust" twist, which resulted in Rachel Reilly's elimination without receiving a single vote against her. This twist was met with frustration, drawing comparisons to the "Advantage-geddon" from Survivor: Game Changers, where Cirie Fields was eliminated without votes due to advantages played by others. These moments highlight how twists can sometimes overshadow strategic gameplay.

A Messy, Entertaining Season of Big Brother That Kept Viewers Hooked

Despite the "messiness" of Big Brother 27, many found it incredibly entertaining. While some viewers might have been looking for intricate strategy, this season delivered on interpersonal drama and unpredictable moments. The cast was often described as "playing the game poorly," backing off from big moves or changing their minds at the last second. Yet, this made for compelling television, showing emotionally involved players. Remember Ashley Hollis comically trying to switch her live vote in the Diary Room, met with a swift "no, no, no, no" from host Julie Chen Moonves? Those moments created enjoyment.

The relationships were complex, like the "frenemy" dynamic between Keanu and Rachel, whose "little brother–big sister chemistry" shifted constantly. Cliffton "Will" Williams, the "chill yet invigorating 'old person' contestant," offered a relatable "pretending to listen" strategy. Even Lauren Domingue, described as "sweet, stammering, fearful," served a purpose as a capable scene partner for more erratic allies. This season proved that sometimes, the "buffoons" and their dramatic choices can make for some of the most memorable reality television. It encouraged viewers to perhaps take the game mechanics less seriously and simply enjoy the "trashy, early-reality-TV roots" of judging players as their poor choices impacted their games and lives. Viva la mess indeed.