Always in our hearts! Before all the backstabbing, twists, and the summer full of Showmances and gameplay began, Big Brother took a moment of silence to remember Season 27 Houseguest Mickey Lee, who tragically died in December 2025.
At the beginning of the Season 28 premiere, a photo of Mickey holding up heart hands after her eviction appeared on the screen for three seconds. “In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990-2025),” it said on the other side of the screen.
Mickey died on December 25, 2025, at the age of 35, from cardiac arrest due to complications from the flu. Just days prior, she was in the ICU in critical but stable condition.
“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening.” The Instagram post on December 26 stated. “Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her authenticity, strength, and spirit, and left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike. She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
“She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
Mickey was voted out in 10th place, just missing the Jury part of the show. She was originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but was based out of Atlanta, Georgia, when she joined the CBS reality show.
Fans reacted to the tribute to Mickey online. “Beautiful way to start off #BB28,” Parade Magazine reporter Mike Bloom wrote on X.
“My daughter and I were just talking about Mickey a few days ago. It’s so heartbreaking. Still can’t believe it. Long live BB Mickey in our hearts,” a fan replied.
“Still hard to wrap my brain around this one,” another said.
“I’m glad they did this. Long live Mickey Lee,” a third added.
“So happy they did this. I know so many fans offline might’ve just found out tonight. I’m so glad they honored her,” an X user said.
“I wish they’d left it up just a little longer. I barely had time to see it,” a fan said.
“I missed that I’ll watch it on Peacock tmrw. So glad they recognized Mickey. I still can’t believe she’s gone. But she reminds us all to live life to the fullest because she did!!,” one last fan said.
Mickey isn’t the only Houseguest the Big Brother community has lost. Season 1 Houseguest Cassandra Waldon died at the age of 56 in 2019, following a car crash, according to Deadline. Season 2 player William “Kent” Blackwelder died in 2017 from a heart attack at the age of 62, according to an online obituary.
Big Brother, Season 28, Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 8/7c, CBS, stream on Paramount+