Big Brother’s Dee Valladares Stands By Gameplay Following Eviction
Dee Valladares readily acknowledges that she didn’t excel in the Big Brother competitions, known for their unpredictability.
“Oh my goodness, these challenges seem simple. But they are far from it,” Dee, 29, shared exclusively with Us on Friday, September 25, following her eviction from the CBS reality series. “I lean more towards physical competition over mental. It’s obvious; I struggle with puzzles. That’s just not my forte. Big Brother involves a lot of mental gameplay, which isn’t my strong suit.”
During season 28, Dee — who claimed victory in Survivor 45 in 2023 — surprised many by lasting in the Big Brother house for an extended period, reaching the final 4. She was eventually evicted by Drew Campbell prior to a three-part competition that would decide the final Head of Household.
“I know I keep saying that this isn’t my strength, but that can change with practice, which is the issue,” Dee said, reflecting on her challenges during competitions. “I’ve never really dedicated time to practicing puzzles, and it’s surprising because game shows are my life, yet I naturally excel more in physical competitions.”
In the end, Dee’s social skills and her ability to connect with fellow houseguests played a crucial role in her extended stay.
The fact that one of her closest allies — fellow Survivor contestant Rick Devens — remains in the competition suggests that Dee’s game has its merits.
“I may not be the brightest person in the room, and that’s perfectly fine with me. My strengths lie in understanding people and their psychology more than in the games themselves,” she explained. “The challenges turned out to be much tougher than they appear, and I struggled significantly, but I’m entirely okay with embracing every aspect of myself — both strengths and weaknesses.”
As Dee gets ready to reunite with her houseguests in the jury house, she’s amazed at how close she came to being the first winner of both Survivor and Big Brother.
This possibility fueled her determination until eviction day.
“That was my motivation every day. Yes, winning the money is incredible — $750,000 is fantastic,” Dee said. “But I wanted the title more than the money. Having the chance to make history by being the first to win Survivor and Big Brother kept me driven. I had a reason to push through.”
The former Challenge contestant remarked, “I’m also very content with it because I am genuinely proud of the game I played — and not just proud of the game itself but also the joy I experienced.”
On Thursday, October 1, Dee and the jury will have the chance to cast their votes and elect a winner for Big Brother season 28. While she’s not prepared to disclose her choice just yet, there is someone she is cheering for.
“Honestly, I have never encountered anyone as intelligent as Devens. He truly knows how to connect with people,” she said. “Everyone enjoys being around Devens; he exudes a fatherly presence that people love and feel secure with.”
Big Brother airs on CBS and Paramount+ on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.
