Breakout Big Brother stars of the 2010s: Celebrity Big Brother 1

With the 2010s soon to be in the rearview mirror, we decided to look back at Big Brother seasons of the past decade. Over the next several days, we will look at the most notable breakout player from each season (in our opinion) this decade. This will mean Big Brother 12 to Big Brother 21 with Over the Top and Celebrity versions included.

With the 2010s soon to be in the rearview mirror, we decided to look back at Big Brother seasons of the past decade. Over the next several days, we will look at the most notable breakout player from each season (in our opinion) this decade. This will mean Big Brother 12 to Big Brother 21 with Over the Top and Celebrity versions included.

Next, we will be examining the breakout star of Celebrity Big Brother 1. Celebrity Big Brother was a bit different than a normal season of Big Brother. For one thing, the season only lasted 26 days. For another, the final HOH was held at 4 instead of 3. There was only 1 part in the final HOH competition and the winner evicted 2 people. The one person that wasn’t evicted became the other member of the final 2.

Luckily for us, there were plenty of options to choose from for the breakout star of Celebrity Big Brother 1. Unlike Big Brother 19, the celebrities played hard and fast. However, there was one that stood out to us above the rest. That celebrity is Ross Mathews.

Celebrity Big Brother 1’s breakout star: Ross Mathews

Ross played a very aggressive game in Celebrity Big Brother 1. Ross made and broke numerous deals but his loyalty above all in the game was to Marissa Jaret Winokur and that helped take him to the final 2. He also had a big personality and a notable rivalry with Omarosa.

In the first cycle, Ross joined the women’s alliance as a 7th member to help him stay safe. During this time, he was able to build key relationships that would help him last throughout the game. That cycle, he helped Shannon flip the house and evict Chuck Liddell.

In the second cycle, Ross won HOH and nominated Keshia Knight Pulliam and Omarosa for eviction, with the intention of targeting Omarosa. Later in the cycle, Ross’ target shifted to Shannon Elizabeth. His closest ally, Marissa, won POV that week. However, Keshia wanted out, squashing Ross’ plans. Keshia was evicted 7-0.

Ross was able to stay safe during the 3rd cycle. Here, he helped play a big role in evicting Shannon.

In the fourth cycle, Omarosa won HOH and nominated Ross alongside Brandi Glanville, with the intention of targeting Ross. A twist on the POV that week allowed America to pick the POV of their choice that the celebrities would play for. America chose to put the VIP Veto into play. This veto would allow its holder to use it twice if they wished. The HOH would then have to name 2 replacement nominees.

Ross won the VIP Veto that cycle. However, there was no need to for him to use it twice as Metta World Peace wanted out. Ross used the Veto on himself and Metta was named the replacement nominee. Metta was then evicted in a 5-0 vote.

In the fifth cycle, Ross was able to stay safe again. HOH Mark McGrath targeted Ross’ ally Brandi because of Brandi’s rivalry with James. Brandi was nominated alongside Ariadna Gutierrez for eviction that cycle. When Ariadna won the POV to save herself that week, Mark named Marissa the replacement nominee. Brandi was evicted in a 3-1 vote.

In the sixth cycle, Omarosa won HOH and again targeted Ross. Omarosa nominated Ross alongside Marissa for eviction. Ross won the POV to save himself that week. Needing a replacement nominee, Omarosa targeted James Maslow as the next strongest player. At the live eviction, James was evicted 2-1.

At the final 5, Ross won HOH and again targeted Omarosa. He nominated Omarosa alongside Ariadna for eviction. Ross also won the POV that week and chose not to use it. He was able to finally evict his rival, Omarosa in a 2-0 vote.

At the final 4, Ross’ closest ally, Marissa won HOH. By default, Ross was nominated alongside Mark and Ariadna for eviction. Marissa chose to take Ross to the final 2, evicting Mark and Ariadna in the process.

On finale night, Ross became the runner-up of Celebrity Big Brother 1, losing in a 6-3 vote to Marissa. Ross garnered votes from Metta World Peace, Brandi Glanville, and Mark McGrath. However, all was not lost on finale night for Ross. Ross was named America’s Favorite Player (over Shannon Elizabeth and James Maslow) and awarded $25,000.

You could have made cases here for Ariadna, Omarosa, Mark, and James as well. However, Ross’ game stands head and shoulders above the rest. For that, he is our breakout star of Celebrity Big Brother 1.

Who is your breakout star of Celebrity Big Brother 1? Let us know in the comments!