Big Brother 28 winner Rick Devens is opening up about the moment he realized he had a real chance of winning the game and walking away with a historic $810,000 prize.
After competing twice on Survivor, Devens finally secured his first reality television competition victory on Big Brother 28. His impressive win earned him $810,000, setting a new record for the largest amount of money won by a contestant in the show’s history.
During a recent appearance on KTLA Morning News, Devens spoke with host Andy Riesmeyer about his journey inside the Big Brother house, the surprising reactions he encountered after returning home, and the controversial decision that helped secure his victory.
Rick Devens Reveals When He Knew He Could Win Big Brother 28
When asked whether there was a particular moment when he believed he could win the season, Devens explained that his confidence grew once the game reached the jury phase.
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Unlike his previous experience on Survivor 50, where he struggled to identify a realistic route to the finale, Devens began seeing opportunities to reach the end of Big Brother.
He admitted that the realization forced him to change his approach.
After spending much of the season joking around and enjoying himself, Devens recognized that he needed to become more focused if he wanted to bring home the grand prize for his family.
The possibility of winning suddenly felt real, and he knew it was time to take the competition more seriously.
Devens also joked that his reality television career had become something of a financial plan, explaining that working in morning television in Macon, Georgia, wasn’t exactly making him rich.
How Rick Devens’ Television Career Helped His Big Brother Game
Before becoming a Big Brother champion, Devens built a career in broadcasting, and he believes that experience played an important role in his success.
Working in morning news taught him how to communicate with different personalities while handling both serious and lighthearted situations.
According to Devens, those skills translated well into the Big Brother house, where building relationships and navigating complicated social dynamics are essential to survival.
His ability to adjust his communication style helped him connect with fellow Houseguests throughout the competition.
That experience, combined with his previous appearances on Survivor, gave him valuable tools for managing the strategic and social challenges of the game.
Rick Devens Addresses His Controversial Decision to Cut Drew
One of the most talked-about moments of the Big Brother 28 finale came when Devens chose to eliminate his close ally Drew rather than take him to the Final Two.
The decision shocked some viewers, especially considering the relationship the two had built throughout the season.
Although Devens admitted that he felt somewhat guilty about cutting Drew, he has since discovered information that makes the move easier to accept.
After leaving the house, Devens learned that Drew had reportedly planned to eliminate him if he had won the final Head of Household competition.
Rather than being upset, Devens found the revelation amusing because it made his own decision feel more justified.
He explained that he always suspected Drew would have a stronger chance of winning against Taylor than against him.
Still, Devens had hoped that Drew might choose loyalty over strategy if the final competition didn’t go his way.
Fortunately for Devens, he won the deciding competition and never had to depend on Drew making that choice.
His decision ultimately paid off, allowing him to reach the Final Two and claim the season’s historic victory.
Rick Devens Praises His Wife for Defending Him Against Online Critics
Winning Big Brother may have brought Devens a life-changing amount of money, but it also came with plenty of attention online.
Now back home with his family in Macon, Georgia, Devens has discovered that not everyone was happy with his victory.
During his interview, he discussed some of the negative comments circulating on social media and revealed that his wife, Becca, had been defending him while he was still inside the house.
Interestingly, Devens had advised her to avoid responding to internet trolls before he entered the competition.
Becca apparently had other plans.
After returning home, Devens learned that his wife had become a favorite among supporters for the way she handled criticism directed at him.
Although their approaches to online negativity were different, Devens made it clear that he appreciated her support.
He even joked that anyone who knows them both would agree that Becca is the better Devens.
Rick Devens Reveals His First Big Purchase After Winning $810,000
With $810,000 in winnings, fans might expect Devens to celebrate with an expensive vacation, a luxury vehicle, or another major purchase.
However, one of his first purchases was something much more personal.
Before leaving to compete on Big Brother 28, Devens had promised his son that he would buy him an expensive LEGO set if he managed to win the competition.
At the time, Devens didn’t believe he had much chance of actually winning, so he confidently made the promise.
Now that he has become the season’s champion, he is making good on his word.
During the interview, Devens revealed that the LEGO Death Star set was already on its way.
It’s a heartwarming ending to an extraordinary reality television journey that saw Devens turn his strategic experience, communication skills, and determination into a record-breaking victory.
For Devens, winning Big Brother 28 wasn’t just about proving himself as a competitor. It was also about bringing something special home to the people who supported him throughout the experience.
What do you think of Rick Devens’ historic Big Brother 28 win? Did he make the right decision by cutting Drew at the finale?
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