Who Won Big Brother Season 20? Relive Kaycee Clark's Historic Victory
Here's why she left her mark.
By Emma Dibdin
At the end of a long day, sometimes the best way to feel like you're living your best life is with some comfy PJs, a glass of wine, and gratuitous reality television. In our series"Not-So-Guilty Pleasures," we remove the "guilt" and break down the latest happenings in your favorite TV indulgences.
CBS has announced that season 21 of Big Brother will air with a two-night premiere set for June 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. ET.
In 2018, season 20 ended with Kaycee Clark making history as the show's first openly lesbian winner.
"Being full lesbian, with tattoos and into sports I was just different than what they've seen in past seasons," Clark told The Hollywood Reporter after her victory.
CBS announced on Tuesday, May 21 that Big Brother will return for its 21st season with a two-night premiere set for June 25 and 26. And with just over a month to go until the next installment, there's never been a better time for a refresher on last season, which ended in a historic win for California native Kaycee Clark. Here are a few key facts to refresh your memory.
Kaycee Clark's Big Brother win made history.
When Clark was announced the winner of Big Brother season 20, she became the first openly lesbian winner in the show's 20-year history. Even before her win, the season 20 finale already marked the first time two gay contestants—Clark and JC Mounduix—made it all the way through to the final round.
"Being full lesbian, with tattoos and into sports I was just different than what they've seen in past seasons," Clark told The Hollywood Reporter the morning after she won. "It's so huge to be the first lesbian to win the game. It still hasn't hit me."
In the same interview, she admitted what she plans to do with the grand-prize, which according to Big Brother eligibility requirements, is worth up to $500,000. "I need some new gel," she said. "I want to help out my family and whatever I can do to make life easier for them. And I want to travel with my family and friends and just enjoy life."
She's found love since the show.
Clark went public earlier this year with her girlfriend, model Tayler Jimenez. Per SoapDirt, the pair had a friendship that predates Clark's time on Big Brother, and had appeared on each other's Instagram accounts several times before it was confirmed they were dating.
"Happy Valentines Day!" Clark wrote in her Valentine's Day Instagram post this year. "Just another day to show you how much I love you my Chiquita banana 🍌❤️"
"A very Happy Valentine's Day to mi amor te amo mucho," Jimenez wrote in her own Valentine's Day post this year. "I am so extremely blessed to have you as my partner in crime during this crazy ride called life. You continue to teach me more about my self and self love and self worth every single day and for that I am ever so grateful. I love you baby! Sorry not sorry you're stuck with me for a very long time 😈😊😘"
Kaycee Clark was a professional football player before Big Brother.
Clark is a professional athlete, and has been an active member of the San Diego Surge women's football team since it was formed in 2011, playing as a wide receiver for six out of their past eight seasons.
Kaycee Clark has a YouTube channel—and reunited with Big Brother contestants.
Since winning the show, Clark has taken to YouTube to post several reunion videos with season 20 cast members such as Mounduix, Kaitlyn Herman, Tyler Crispen, Angela Rummans, and Rachel Swindler.
She had a specific strategy for winning the show.
Clark only emerged as a frontrunner midway through season 20, and revealed in her exit interview with TV Guide that this was strategic.
"In the beginning, I didn't want to do too much," she said. "I just want to stay behind the scenes as much as possible because I watch the show. Every season I watch the show and I know when people start doing too much and talking too much and then they get themselves into trouble."
Everything We Know About Julie Chen Moonves
Everything We Know About Big Brother Season 21
Later in the interview, she admitted that "the social game" is a huge part of what makes or breaks a contestant on the show. "Staying low in the beginning, not doing too much, playing behind the scenes, I'm not going to start an alliance, I'm not going to be like 'do this, do that, do this,' and talk about game to whoever. It was literally just all strategy. I'm going to lay low and I'm not going to get that much blood on my hands. I'm going to be here for people as much as possible."
Take note, season 21 contestants!
More From Not-So-Guilty Pleasures
What We Know About Season 14 of RHOA
When Is Season 4 of "Selling Sunset" Out?
"The Circle" Season 2 Is Premiering In April
Bling Empire Has Officially Been Renewed
"Bling Empire's" Creator Says the Show Is Real
An Interview With "Bling Empire's" Christine Chiu
Meet the Cast of Bling Empire
Where Was This Season of "The Bachelor" Filmed?
Where Is "12 Dates of Christmas" Filmed?
"The Bachelorette" Has Two Latina Leads in a Row