The first season of CBS’ Celebrity Big Brother crowned its champion on this Sunday night’s episode.
Marissa Winokur, who won a Tony Award in 2003 as the leading lady of the Broadway adaptation of John Waters’ Hairspray, seized victory and the $250,000 prize.
The 45-year-old was cooped up in a house for 30 days with such contenders as bubbly TV personality Ross Matthews, who was the runner-up.
The lady herself: The first season of the American version of Celebrity Big Brother revealed its champion on this Sunday night’s episode – Marissa Winokur
Once Ross and Marissa became the final two, all of the previously eliminated contestants held the deciding vote on which of them would win.
Former White House aide Omarosa Manigault, former Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills Brandi Glanville and American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth were among them.
Retired MMA fighter Chuck Liddell and NBA player-turned-coach Metta World Peace also competed, representing the world of sports.
Big Time Rush singer James Maslow and Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath contended too, as did Miss Colombia 2014 Ariadna Gutierrez and The Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight Pulliam.
Second place: The 45-year-old was cooped up in a house for 30 days with such contenders as bubbly TV personality Ross Matthews, who was the runner-up
Big choice: Once Ross and Marissa became the final two, all of the previously eliminated contestants held the deciding vote on which of them would win
Group shot: The competition included (back; from left) Shannon Elizabeth, Metta World Peace, Brandi Glanville, Chuck Liddell, (front; from left) Keisha Knight Pulliam, James Maslow, Omarosa Manigault, Ariadna Gutierrez and Mark McGrath
Ross took his defeat in stride, saying: ‘I’m sorry about the lying! But hello, it’s Big Brother!’ on the episode, as quoted in The Hollywood Reporter.
On top of a cool $25,000 for being voted America’s Favorite Houseguest, he also bagged $50,000 for managing to become runner-up.
Prior to the vote, he had explained himself to his former fellow contestants: ‘You have to stay true to your character in this game, but you have to be able to pivot. As the power shifts in the house, you have to be flexible as well.’
Grizzled: Ross took his defeat in stride, saying: ‘I’m sorry about the lying! But hello, it’s Big Brother!’ on the episode, as quoted in The Hollywood Reporter
Shock: On top of a cool $25,000 for being voted America’s Favorite Houseguest, he also bagged $50,000 for managing to become runner-up
‘Be flexible’: Prior to the vote, he had explained himself to his former fellow contestants: ‘You have to stay true to your character in this game, but you have to be able to pivot
Marissa graciously expressed surprise that she won out in the end, saying on the episode that ‘I couldn’t have gotten this far without Ross.’
The season drew a constant stream of headlines via Omarosa, who dished profusely about her experience working for U.S. President Donald Trump.
During one emotional conversation with Ross, she recalled that ‘I was haunted by tweets every single day. Like, what is he going to tweet next?’
Triumph: Marissa Winokur, who won a Tony Award in 2003 as the leading lady of the Broadway adaptation of John Waters’ Hairspray, seized victory and the $250,000 prize
Compere: Julie Chen hostessed the proceedings