Mickey Lee, a standout from ‘Big Brother 27,’ died on Christmas Day at age 35
Credit: Sara Mally/CBS
NEED TO KNOW
- Big Brother paid tribute to Mickey Lee during its latest episode
- On Thursday, July 9, the series shared a title card for Lee, who died in December at age 35
- Lee was a standout houseguest on last season’s Big Brother 27
Big Brother is remembering one of its own.
During the Thursday, July 9 premiere of Big Brother 28, the reality series paid tribute to Mickey Lee, the Big Brother 27 houseguest who died in December at age 35.
As a group of new houseguests made their television debuts, CBS remembered Lee with a title card, featuring an image of her throwing up a hand-heart. The image was presented alongside the message: “In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990 – 2025).”
Credit: CBS
The nod to Lee comes nearly seven months after Lee died on Christmas 2025, before her family announced her death “with profound sadness” in a statement on her Instagram page. According to a since-paused GoFundMe created days earlier, Lee suffered a “series of cardiac arrests” that landed her in the ICU in “critical but stable condition” at the time.
The fundraiser described the Atlanta-based event curator as “a vibrant, strategic and unforgettable personality” who “captured the attention of fans with her energy, authenticity and bold gameplay.”
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” her family shared in a statement after her death. “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
Credit: CBS
Fellow Big Brother stars, including friend Rachel Reilly, remembered her in tributes of their own after her death.
“She will always be remembered and I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know her for the short period I did- she shared so much light with us and was such an amazing soul,” Reilly wrote.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Series host Julie Chen Moonves wrote in a tribute post that she’ll “see you again on the other side in eternity.” “I pray the good Lord comforts and heals your family and loved ones as we grieve your passing. Amen,” Chen Moonves wrote.
Read the full article here