By Megan Riedlinger
8:27am PDT, Jun 26, 2017
"Big Brother" is back! Our favorite summertime guilty pleasure returns for Season 19 on June 28, 2017, so we're getting acquainted with this season's houseguests! Keep reading to meet the crew that will be moving into the "Big Brother" house and hanging out with host Julie Chen all summer long!
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Meet Christmas Abbott! This 33-year-old houseguest hails from Lynchburg, Virginia, though she currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. When it comes to her occupation, the CrossFit athlete tells CBS she's a fitness superstar — and she's also a best-selling author. She names Season 15's Helen Kim as her favorite past cast member and hopes to serve as a "mentor," using her "ability to read personalities and know what people need emotionally" in order to win the game.
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Matthew Clines, 33, is heading into the "Big Brother" house, relocating from his hometown of Arlington, Virginia. The renovation consultant counts Season 16's Donny Thompson as his favorite houseguest from the past, crediting his style ("a great beard" and "wore camo") and the way he remained a "good dude" in the house. Matthew believes his plan to "befriend everyone" will help him take home the top prize.
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Government engineer Dominique Cooper has a straightforward plan for winning Season 19: "Be friendly and maintain integrity." That's a strategy we can get behind! The 30 year old, who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, doesn't have a favorite past houseguest but lists her Bible as being one thing she wanted to take into the "Big Brother" home, noting that it can help her "continue learning and growing" while she's there.
Well, at least we know Jason Dent will be able to lighten the mood! The 37 year old is a professional rodeo clown from Humeston, Iowa, who isn't disclosing his game-winning strategy but admits to CBS that he loved the way James Huling from Seasons 17 and 18 played the game. When it comes to what he's most worried about while living in the "Big Brother" house, Jason replied, "using the bathroom."
Jessica Graf won't have to go far to move into the "Big Brother" house — she currently lives in Los Angeles. Though she was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, the 26 year old currently lives in the City of Angels and works as a VIP concierge. She's clearly a superfan, since she cites iconic houseguest Janelle Pierzina (who appeared on Seasons 6, 7, and 14) as her favorite past houseguest and notes that the two have "very similar personalities." When it comes to how she plans to take home the top prize, Jessica tells CBS: "I'm going to find the best male competitor in the game and the two of us are going to clean house!"
Season 19 houseguest Mark Jansen is relocating from Grand Island, New York, to the "Big Brother" pad. The personal trainer, 26, wants to bring "protein, because you can never have too much protein," into the house, and shares that his strategy will be to "earn people's trust and keep it." But will he engage in a Season 19 showmance? Considering his favorite "Big Brother" cast member is Brendon Villegas from Seasons 12 and 13, we think he just might. Mark explains that he was impressed with Brendon's game because "He basically said, 'It's me and my girl vs. the house. Let's go.'"
Radio personality Elena Davies hails from Texas and currently lives in Dallas. The 26 year old will certainly stir things up, as she openly claims her plan A to win involves "forming alliances and manipulating other houseguests." Elena's favorite past houseguest is James Huling from Seasons 17 and 18, and she's most concerned with parting with her phone while inside — because she'll miss her mom and Instagram.
Our first "Evel" Dick Donato fan! Josh Martinez cites the renowned "Big Brother" villain from Season 8 as his favorite former player, which gives us a hint as to what kind of houseguest he'll be. "I see a lot of his gameplay in the way I'll play," the 23 year old tells CBS. Josh, who currently resides in Homestead, Florida, and works in haircare sales, is brutally honest about his strategy: "Lie, cheat and manipulate." He's going to be fun to watch!
Professional dog walker Megan Lowder, 28, joins the house this season from Phoenix, Arizona, and says she'll really miss her dogs while she's away. She has such a deep love of the game that she can't pick just one veteran to call her favorite. Among the past houseguests Megan loves? Frank Eudy from Seasons 14, 16 and 18, and Paul Abrahamian and Victor Arroyo from Season 18. Her strategy involves finding "the biggest guy" in the house then "gathering a strong team I know can win comps and keep them close." She also plans to find and befriend "that whiny, crying girl that just can't handle the pressures of the house." So which one of her alliance members does she plan to bring to the Final 2 with her? Megan says that has to be the "whiny, crying girl," because "since she didn't do anything the whole time, I'll win."
Cameron Heard's love of the "Big Brother" game is thanks to one houseguest in particular — Season 14's Ian Terry. The 24 year old tells CBS, "I started watching 'Big Brother' because of Ian. I had no idea what [the series] was and my mom told me to start watching 'BB14' because it's like 'Survivor' in a house." Now that he's about to enter the game, the microbiologist has a very complex strategy, explaining, "I'm not going to lie about what I do or much in my past to gain trust of others and, I'm going to use a cycling metaphor here, but I'm going to be like a wheel. I'm going to be the hub of the wheel and everyone is going to revolve around me like spokes on a wheel." Well, let's hope that works!
Alex Ow describes herself as the "center of attention," so the 28 year old will certainly be entertaining to watch. The eco-friendly marketing rep lists Nicole Franzel from Seasons 16 and 18 as her favorite "Big Brother" houseguest ever, explaining, "she reminds me of myself. We look all cute and cuddly, but we're here for one thing — to win 'Big Brother.'" As far as winning goes, she boasts, "I may be small but my mind is sharp. I can manipulate anyone, including boys!"
The oldest cast member in the house this season? Kevin Schlehuber, who's 55! The Boston-based stay-at-home dad is worried about being away from his family for so long but is confident he has a winning strategy. What exactly is his plan to take home the grand prize? "Being myself, I think that will work every time," Kevin tells CBS.
Meet 24-year-old Jillian Parker! This timeshare sales rep from Las Vegas plans on "flying under the radar" before she reveals herself as "a big villain towards the end of the game." She also plans to play it "nice and innocent" at first, then make an alliance with the guys and give away information she gets from the girls. Jillian's favorite former cast member is Daniele Donato from Seasons 8 and 13. She assures viewers, "I'm gonna win this. Just wait and see."
Another "Evel" Dick Donato fan in the bunch is 32-year-old Cody Nickson, who works as a construction sales rep in Plano, Texas. Cody plans to go after the "overbearing houseguests" first, then get rid of "the floaters." He's also planning on never putting himself in a pawn position and wants to try to "be a part of every conversation." Good luck with that, Cody!
Ramses Soto is the youngest member of the house this season. The 21-year-old cosplay artist hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is planning on playing a "social game." "I will use my young looks and fun personality as a shield for whenever I need to make a strong strategic game move. No one will expect me to be a strong-minded and strategic player," Ramses tells CBS. He cites Dan Gheesling from Seasons 10 and 14 as his all-time favorite player, explaining, "He's a great strategist and amazing manipulator. I look up to him so much when it comes to 'Big Brother.'"
Rounding out the cast? Raven Walton, 23, from DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. The dance teacher hopes that she'll be underestimated by her fellow houseguests but insists she has "no problem [with] back-stabbing to make it to the end." She describes herself as "quirky, bubbly and outgoing" and says her favorite former houseguest happens to be someone who shares those same traits — Season 16's Frankie Grande.
