“I Had a Slim Chance of Winning” — Big Brother Runner-Up Makensy Discusses Chelsie’s Victory

After an exhilarating season filled with unexpected developments, the finale of Big Brother 26 aired on October 13, 2024, at 9 PM ET on CBS. The competition culminated with just three houseguests remaining in the running for the grand prize of $750,000: Chelsie Baham, Makensy Manbeck, and Cam Sullivan-Brown.

Leading up to the finale, Makensy showcased her prowess by consistently winning competitions, including the Head of Household (HoH) and Power of Veto (PoV), making her a formidable contender. She secured her position in the final three by eliminating Rubina and later ousted Cam to claim her spot as a finalist. Despite her impressive track record in competitions, she was unable to sway the jury comprised of eliminated houseguests, ultimately resulting in Chelsie’s victory in Big Brother 26.

In an interview with Parade magazine on October 13, 2024, Makensy shared her perspective on the competition and expressed her views on Chelsie’s strategy before the jury. She confessed that while she initially believed she might receive some votes, Chelsie’s compelling speech caused her to lose confidence.

“Chelsie articulated her gameplay exceptionally well. She had a very intricate strategy and truly knows how to communicate… I admire her. Hearing her explain her game made me reconsider my chances of winning,”Makensy admitted.

Makensy perceives Chelsie’s Big Brother victory as a shared triumph

Despite only receiving a small fraction of the total prize money, Makensy harbored no resentment towards Chelsie, the actual winner of the season.

As the runner-up, she expressed a profound connection with Chelsie, describing Chelsie’s victory as one that she could celebrate as well. Makensy acknowledged that without Chelsie’s strategic involvement, her journey to the final two would have been impossible.

As a Division 1 athlete, Makensy brought a competitive edge to the game, evident in her string of victories throughout the season. She emphasized that while the financial reward was a bonus, her primary goal was to excel in the challenges and reach Day 90 of the competition.

Earlier in the game, Makensy had the opportunity to eliminate Chelsie during the final eviction round, which would have prevented Chelsie from addressing the jury.

“I did contemplate that bringing Cam might have provided an easier path to victory, but perhaps it’s my competitive spirit and loyalty that drove me. I wanted to compete against Chelsie,”Makensy reflected.

During her time in the house, Makensy eliminated Leah early in the game and addressed this move during her jury speech. She clarified that her decision to cut Leah was made entirely on her own, without external influences. Although Chelsie suggested the idea, the intention had already resonated within her.

Makensy noted that she approached the game looking to collaborate with others, and found that partnership in Chelsie. Thus, the choice to evict Leah ultimately served both their interests, propelling them to the final two.

She later commended Leah’s gameplay, expressing surprise that Leah had managed to avoid being on the chopping block until her elimination.

Together, Makensy and Chelsie recognized Leah as a potential threat, a belief that proved accurate as Leah maintained her strategy in secrecy, which influenced Makensy’s decision to eliminate her.

On October 13, 2024, Big Brother 26 concluded with Chelsie officially declared the winner.

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