As of December 18, 2025, the most recent winner of the flagship Big Brother US series is Ashley Hollis, who was crowned the champion of Big Brother 27 (BB27) in a decisive 6-1 jury vote. The season concluded on September 28, awarding the attorney the massive $750,000 grand prize and cementing her place in the show's history. Her victory over runner-up Vince Panaro was a masterclass in social strategy and jury management, overcoming a rough start to dominate the endgame.
The question of "who won Big Brother" is a constantly evolving one, reflecting the intense strategic shifts and dramatic moments of the reality television staple. From the show's debut in 2000 to the latest seasons, each winner has demonstrated a unique blueprint for success, whether through competitive dominance, flawless social maneuvering, or calculated manipulation. Understanding the newest champion, Ashley Hollis, provides the freshest insight into what it takes to win in the current era of the game.
The Reigning Champion: Ashley Hollis's BB27 Triumph
Ashley Hollis, a 25-year-old attorney, is the newest name etched into the Big Brother Hall of Fame, having secured the $750,000 prize for Season 27. Her journey was far from easy, beginning with an early ostracization on Night 1 due to a perceived personality clash with early power players. However, Hollis quickly adapted, moving from a target to a key strategic player in the mid-game.
Her winning strategy was defined by a strong social game and carefully timed competition wins. While not a dominant "comp beast," she secured crucial Head of Household (HOH) and Power of Veto (POV) victories when her back was against the wall, ensuring her safety and the eviction of key rivals. The final vote saw her defeat Vince Panaro, a formidable competitor in his own right, by a 6-to-1 margin, indicating the jury's respect for her narrative and overall game management. Meanwhile, the fan-favorite award, America's Favorite Houseguest (AFH), was won by Keanu Soto, who garnered over 65% of the public vote.
In the broader Big Brother universe, the Canadian counterpart also recently crowned a new winner. Bayleigh Pelham clinched victory in Big Brother Canada (BBCAN), successfully navigating a challenging season to defeat Anthony Douglas and Lexus Jackson in the final three. This highlights that across North American versions, a strong, well-rounded game combining social bonds and strategic moves remains the most reliable path to the grand prize.
A Look Back: The Big Brother US Winners Hall of Fame
To truly appreciate the newest winner, it is essential to look at the legacy of champions who defined the game before her. Since the show began in July 2000, the United States version has crowned over two dozen regular season winners, each leaving an indelible mark on the reality TV landscape. The list of winners is a diverse gallery of strategic minds, social butterflies, and dominant competitors.
The Strategic Icons
Certain winners are celebrated for their unparalleled strategic gameplay, influencing the game's direction for years to come. Dr. Will Kirby, the winner of Big Brother 2, is often cited as the show's first true strategic mastermind, pioneering the "floater" strategy and using pure charisma to manipulate the house. A modern counterpart is Derrick Levasseur, the winner of Big Brother 16, who played a near-perfect game by controlling every major vote from the shadows without ever being nominated until the final week.
The Unforgettable Champions (BB17-BB26)
The recent history of Big Brother is filled with champions who had to overcome increasingly savvy competition. Nicole Franzel (BB18) is notable for becoming the first female winner to defeat a male in the Final Two since Season 3. Kaycee Clark (BB20) demonstrated the power of a quiet, loyal social game combined with late-game competitive dominance, securing numerous Vetoes and an HOH when it mattered most. Jackson Michie (BB21) showcased a brutal competitive streak, winning a record number of competitions to secure his victory. The winner of Big Brother 23, Xavier Prather, was the first Black winner in the show's history and a key member of the dominant alliance, The Cookout, which fundamentally changed the show's social dynamics.
The full list of US winners includes:
- Season 1: Eddie McGee
- Season 2: Will Kirby
- Season 3: Lisa Donahue
- Season 4: Jun Song
- Season 5: Drew Daniel
- Season 6: Maggie Ausburn
- Season 7 (All-Stars): Mike "Boogie" Malin
- Season 8: Evel "Dick" Donato
- Season 13: Rachel Reilly
- Season 16: Derrick Levasseur
- Season 17: Steve Moses
- Season 18: Nicole Franzel
- Season 19: Josh Martinez
- Season 20: Kaycee Clark
- Season 21: Jackson Michie
- Season 27: Ashley Hollis
The Blueprint for Victory: Analyzing Winning Strategies
While every season of Big Brother is unique, the winners share common threads in their approach to the game. The evolution of strategy from the early seasons to the modern era demonstrates that a balanced game is the most powerful weapon in the HouseGuest arsenal. The ultimate champion must excel in three core areas: the social game, the physical game, and jury management.
The Social Game: The Foundation of Success
The most crucial element for nearly every winner is the social game. This involves building genuine, trusting relationships with fellow HouseGuests, often leading to alliances that protect the winner through the early and mid-game. Ashley Hollis's ability to recover from a poor first impression and integrate herself into key groups is a testament to this. A strong social player is often seen as less threatening or more loyal, making them a preferable Final Two opponent for a jury who values loyalty and personal connection. Jun Song (BB4) is a historical example of a winner who used a subtle, strategic social approach to win.
The Competitive Edge: When to Win Comps
While winning every competition is rarely the path to victory (as it makes a player a massive target), winning at the right time is paramount. This is known as "clutch comp wins." The Head of Household competition is vital for safety and control, but the Power of Veto is often the most critical power, capable of derailing entire alliance plans. Champions like Jackson Michie (BB21) and Kaycee Clark (BB20) used late-game competition streaks to secure their spot in the Final Two, proving that being a comp beast in the final weeks is highly effective.
Jury Management: The Final Hurdle
The jury, composed of the last evicted HouseGuests, ultimately decides who wins the $750,000. Managing the jury involves ensuring that the evicted players respect the winner's game, even if they were betrayed. This requires a delicate balance of honesty and deception. Ashley Hollis's 6-1 victory over Vince Panaro demonstrates superior jury management, where she successfully articulated her strategic moves and social bonds in the final speech, convincing the majority of the jury members that she was the most deserving champion. The best winners, from Will Kirby to Ashley Hollis, understand that the game is not over until the final vote is cast.
The latest result from Big Brother 27 confirms that the modern game rewards adaptability, resilience, and the ability to craft a compelling winning narrative for the jury. Ashley Hollis joins an elite group of players who successfully navigated the pressures, paranoia, and strategic twists of the game to claim the coveted title of Big Brother Winner.
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