Ashley Hollis from Big Brother Resolved Tensions with Mickey Lee Prior to Her Passing

Big Brother 27 champion Ashley Hollis revealed that she met Mickey Lee in person and that they were on friendly terms prior to Mickey’s untimely passing.

“I saw her in Florida, and we hugged,” Hollis, 26, shared with Us Weekly exclusively. “I just wanted to move past the past. I reached out to Mickey, and I’m so glad she responded.”

Mickey passed away on Thursday, December 25, after experiencing multiple cardiac arrests related to complications from the flu, as confirmed by her family. She was 35.

Following Mickey’s death, Ashley posted a screenshot on Instagram of their text exchange, indicating her desire to “resolve any issues” between them. While some commenters interpreted the screenshot to mean Mickey did not respond, Ashley emphasized her discomfort in sharing Mickey’s words.

“It felt inappropriate to share someone’s private messages,” she told Us. “I want the focus to be on supporting her loved ones and honoring her legacy, hence why I removed the post; it was turning into something else entirely.”

Ashley emphasized in a statement to Us that her main goal is to support Mickey’s family.

“My primary focus is to grieve the loss of Mickey Lee and extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and everyone affected by this tremendous loss,” her statement read. “Mickey was an extraordinary person whose dedication to her community and tireless support for others in Atlanta created a lasting impact. Her efforts deserve recognition and tribute. I urge everyone to concentrate on supporting her family and honoring her legacy. As fellow sisters in Christ, I will continue to stand by her family and cherish her memory. May she rest in peace. 🤍.”

Mickey competed alongside Ashley on Big Brother 27, spending 59 days in the house. The two notably clashed soon after the season when Mickey suggested in a September interview with Entertainment Tonight that Ashley is not “a traditional Black girl.”

Mickey later retracted those remarks, stating, “I misspoke; what I meant to convey was stereotypical Black woman. … I felt like the only Black woman, the only Black person in that house, treated under a stereotypical lens.”

The exact cause of Mickey’s death remains undisclosed. Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves shared a clip on Friday, December 26, from Mickey’s appearance on her “God 101” podcast, where Mickey spoke about being born with a small hole in her heart. Chen Moonves, 55, later clarified that this did not contribute to her passing.

“For those praying for Mickey’s family and loved ones, we want to clarify that the hole in her heart did close, and that was not a factor in her passing,” she mentioned on Instagram on Sunday, December 28. “In memory of her, here’s a snippet of the interview where she discusses it while expressing her faith. You are loved, Mickey, and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, dear Mickey 🙏🏼🪽.”