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Big Brother 26 Winner: Chelsie, Makensy or Cam
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Big Brother 26 Winner: Chelsie, Makensy or Cam

There’s a new “Big Brother” winner in the house.

Chelsie Baham, the 27-year-old nonprofit director, won Sunday night’s two-hour “Big Brother 26” finale. She took home the grand prize of $750,000.

Makensy Manbeck, the 22-year-old construction worker, came in second and won $75,000.

Cam Sullivan-Brown, the 25-year-old physiotherapist, finished in third place.

Chelsie Baham. CBS
Cam Sullivan-Brown, Makensy Manbeck and Chelsie Baham. CBS

Baham and Manbeck faced off in the third part of the final Head of Household match, which Manbeck won.

Manbeck decided to take Baham to the final two and evict Sullivan-Brown, who became the seventh and final member of the jury.

Cam Sullivan-Brown on “Big Brother 26.” CBS

During his interview with host Julie Chen Moonves, Sullivan-Brown said he wasn’t surprised he was evicted and that the girls “deserved” to make it to the end together.

When asked if Manbeck made the right choice in evicting him, he said: “I think it will be very difficult to sit next to Chelsie. But I do respect the loyalty and the decision she has made.”

He also confirmed that he would have taken Baham to the final two if he had won the last HOH.

“I would stay with Chelsie the whole time. I love her so much. We have been together since the beginning. That was just a little game. A little bit of finesse,” he explained.

Sullivan-Brown then joined the other six judges – Quinn Martin, T’Kor Clottey, Leah Peters, Angela Murray, Kimo Apaka and Rubina Bernabe – as they all quizzed Baham and Manbeck about their respective matches to decide who they would to vote.

Quinn Martin, T’Kor Clottey, Leah Peters, Angela Murray, Kimo Apaka and Rubina Bernabe. CBS

Baham argued in her speech that she had “the power of my words” and convinced Manbeck to take action against Martin and Peters. She also told the judges that she didn’t want to have to rely on competitions to stay safe.

“I was strategic. I was social. I was competent,” she said.

Manbeck, meanwhile, denied that Baham influenced her strategic decisions throughout the season. She also called herself a “competitive animal,” noting that she “had a target on my back walking into this house” because of her physical prowess.

Makensy Manbeck. CBS

Baham received all seven jury votes. She was in tears as she left the house to greet the rest of the cast as confetti rained down on her.

Chelsie Baham on “Big Brother 26.” CBS
Julie Chen Moonves. CBS

America’s Favorite Houseguest, voted by the show’s fans, came down to Martin, Murray and Tucker Des Lauriers. Des Lauriers won the $50,000 prize.

“Big Brother” returns for season 27 in 2025.