Big Brother 28 winner Rick Devens has responded to the surprising revelation that several Big Brother legends were rooting against him during the competition. However, instead of taking offense, the former Survivor contestant admitted that he understood exactly where they were coming from.
Rick made history on October 1, 2026, when he became the first former Survivor player to win Big Brother. He defeated Taylor Brown in a 6-1 jury vote and walked away with $810,000 in total winnings.
Despite his impressive victory, several former Big Brother players weren’t thrilled about the possibility of a Survivor contestant winning their show.
Rick later learned about their reactions during an interview with Virtual Reali-Tea, but his response showed that he understood the rivalry between the two reality TV franchises.
Rick Devens Understands Why Big Brother Legends Wanted Him To Lose
Rather than criticize the former houseguests, Rick admitted that he probably would have felt the same way if the situation were reversed. He explained that Survivor contestants take pride in their competition, just as Big Brother veterans do.
“Before all this happened, if BB players- and I know BB players have come on Survivor, but I wouldn’t want them winning over a ‘Survivor’ game,” Rick explained.
He added that watching someone from another reality competition win could make it seem as though their show produces stronger players. “That makes them look like they’re better than we are, you know? So, I understand where they’re coming from.”
His response offered a different perspective on the criticism. Instead of viewing the opposition as personal, Rick recognized that former contestants simply wanted someone from their own franchise to take home the title.
Big Brother legends Danielle Reyes and Britney Haynes were among the former players who expressed reservations about a Survivor contestant winning the season. Their reactions reflected the competitive loyalty that exists between the two CBS reality shows.
Rick Devens Had A Playful Response To The Criticism
Although Rick sympathized with the former players, he couldn’t resist making a lighthearted point about the success Survivor contestants have enjoyed on Big Brother.
“I won’t say what it says. Dee and I did pretty well. Cirie did pretty well too,” he joked.
Rick was referring to Dee Valladares, who competed alongside him during Season 28, and Cirie Fields, who previously appeared on Big Brother 25.
Both demonstrated that Survivor experience can translate into strong Big Brother gameplay. Rick then joked about becoming part of the Big Brother family despite the opposition he faced.
“Hopefully now that I’m one of them, they will cradle me in their arms and I will enjoy being cradled there.” He also admitted that winning the competition still felt unbelievable.
“I’m so proud to be part of the BB family, and cannot believe that I’m a BB winner dude. I still have not wrapped my mind around that.” His response combined humor, understanding, and pride rather than turning the disagreement into another reality TV feud.
Big Brother Producers Were Surprised By The Backlash
The controversy didn’t go unnoticed by Big Brother’s producers. During an October 16 interview with Entertainment Weekly, executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan addressed the criticism surrounding Rick and Dee’s participation.
Grodner admitted that the strength of the opposition surprised the production team, particularly because Big Brother and Survivor belong to the same CBS family. However, the producers defended their decision to bring the Survivor veterans into the house.
They explained that Rick and Dee earned their spots because they had the personalities and strategic abilities to compete in Big Brother’s demanding format. Their inclusion also helped generate discussion throughout the season, with fans debating whether established reality TV contestants should compete against newcomers.
Rick Devens Proved He Could Win Both Fans And The Game
Rick’s performance ultimately gave him a strong argument against anyone who questioned whether he belonged in the Big Brother house. He navigated alliances, survived evictions, and made a crucial final decision when he evicted Drew Campbell and chose to face Taylor Brown in the finale.
The move paid off when the jury awarded him six of seven votes. He also won America’s Favorite Player, adding another achievement to his historic season.
Although Rick previously competed on Survivor: Edge of Extinction and Survivor 50, his Big Brother victory marked his first win across the two franchises. His experience on Survivor helped him approach the game differently, particularly when it came to managing relationships and avoiding past strategic mistakes.
Now, with Big Brother already renewed for Seasons 29 and 30, speculation continues about whether CBS will invite more Survivor contestants into the house. For Rick, however, the rivalry doesn’t appear to have created any resentment.
He understands why Big Brother legends wanted one of their own to win, but he also takes pride in proving that a Survivor veteran could succeed in their game. And despite the criticism, Rick seems more than happy to call himself a member of the Big Brother family.
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