Big Brother honoring a previous guest, Mickey Leewho died last year.
As the reality show begins its 28th season on Thursday, July 9, a photo of Mickey was shown on screen.
“In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990 – 2025),” the caption next to his photo read.
Mickey died on December 25, 2025 after being hospitalized for multiple cardiac arrests while battling complications from the flu. He was 35 years old.
“It is with great sadness that Mickey Lee’s family announces his passing on Christmas morning,” his family wrote in a statement released on social media on December 26.
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences across the country with his appearance on Big Brother, where his authenticity, energy and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” the statement continued. “He will be remembered for the joy he brought to the lives of so many and the genuine connections he made on and off screen.”
Mickey Lee.
(Photo by Sara Mally/CBS via Getty Images)That same day, Big Brother the host Julie Chen Moonves56, expressed his condolences on social media.
“Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on the ‘God 101’ program. That’s when he revealed to me that he was born with a hole in his heart, and when he was old he survived an ATV accident that should have killed him, but God kept him alive,” wrote Julie on Instagram. “Last night God brought him home 🕊️ Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you on the other side forever.”
A week after Mickey died, man Big Brother alum, Rachel Reillyit was seen through their relationship in the program.
“I guess I didn’t even give myself a chance to cry and look back in 2025 and seeing Mickey’s post makes me think about how much he has impacted so many lives!” Rachel wrote on New Year’s Eve. “I was watching her stories and she was an amazing woman – she touched so many lives and her fabric was woven into so many stories – she influenced my journey and I will always love her for it and I will never forget that about her.”
The Big Brother community has come together to mourn the untimely death of season 27 alum Mickey Lee. Mickey’s family confirmed that he died on Thursday, December 25, after being admitted to hospital for multiple cardiac arrests due to complications from the flu. Mickey was 35 years old. “The Big Brother family is sad today […]
He continued, “I remember telling him the other day in HOH that he is a part of my heart now and always will be and I meant it 😍🥲 it’s so hard to lose a friend and especially a bright light 💕 2025 wouldn’t have made an impact without the trip I took with big brother and Mickey 💕.”
Mickey played 59 days in the game Big Brotherr house in season 27. He was the last guest to be evicted before the judges’ stage began.
Big Brother 28 kicks off with a 90-minute premiere on CBS and Paramount+ on Thursday night. The season will follow new guests as they form bonds with strangers and live their daily lives without access to the outside world.
“This new batch of Houseguests enters a summer where nothing is as it seems, where every twist rewrites the rules, and where time becomes a turning point,” CBS teased in a press release.
