{"id":251103,"date":"2026-07-10T03:05:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T03:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/10\/big-brother-28-premiere-pays-tribute-to-late-season-27-houseguest-mickey-lee\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T03:05:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T03:05:47","slug":"big-brother-28-premiere-pays-tribute-to-late-season-27-houseguest-mickey-lee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/10\/big-brother-28-premiere-pays-tribute-to-late-season-27-houseguest-mickey-lee\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Big Brother 28\u2019 Premiere Pays Tribute to Late Season 27 Houseguest Mickey Lee"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Big Brother<\/em><\/a> is honoring former houseguest, Mickey Lee<\/strong><\/a>, who died last year.<\/p>\n

As the reality show kicked off its 28th season on Thursday, July 9, a photo of Mickey<\/a> was shown on-screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990 \u2013 2025),\u201d the text next to her image read.<\/p>\n

Mickey died on December 25, 2025<\/a> after being hospitalized due to multiple cardiac arrests as she battled complications from the flu. She was 35.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Big Brother’s Rachel Reilly Honors Mickey Lee on NYE After Her Death<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tBig Brother alum\u00a0Rachel Reilly shared a touching tribute in honor of her late costar Mickey Lee. Posting via X on Wednesday, December 31,\u00a0 Rachel, 41, opened up about the impact Mickey had made on her life before her tragic death. \u201cI think I didn\u2019t even give myself a chance to cry yet and looking back [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWith profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,\u201d her family wrote in a statement released via social media on December 26.<\/p>\n

\u201cMickey 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,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cShe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Mickey Lee.<\/span> (Photo by Sara Mally\/CBS via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The same day, Big Brother<\/em> host Julie Chen Moonves<\/strong>, 56, shared her condolences<\/a> via social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on \u2018God 101\u2019 That\u2019s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive,\u201d Julie wrote via Instagram. \u201cLast night God brought her home \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you again on the other side in eternity.\u201d<\/p>\n

A week after Mickey\u2019s death, fellow Big Brother<\/em> alum, Rachel Reilly<\/strong><\/a>, reflected on their relationship on the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I didn\u2019t even give myself a chance to cry yet and looking back on 2025 and seeing posts of Mickey really has me thinking about how she had such a big impact on so many lives!\u201d Rachel wrote on New Year\u2019s Eve.. \u201cI\u2019ve been watching her stories and she was such an incredible woman \u2014 she\u2019s touched so many lives and her fabric is woven throughout so many stories- she made an impact in my journey and I\u2019ll always love her for it and never forget that about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Rachel Reilly and More \u2018Big Brother\u2019 Alums React to Mickey Lee\u2019s Death<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Big Brother community has come together to mourn the untimely death of season 27 alum Mickey Lee. Mickey\u2019s family confirmed that she died on Thursday, December 25, after being hospitalized due to multiple cardiac arrests due to complications from the flu. Mickey was 35. \u201cThe Big Brother family is heartbroken today. Mickey was a [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

She continued, \u201cI remember telling her one day in the HOH she\u2019s part of my heart now and she always will be and I meant that \ud83d\ude0d\ud83e\udd72 it\u2019s so hard to loose a friend and especially such a bright light \ud83d\udc95 2025 wouldn\u2019t have been as impactful without the journey I went on with big brother and Mickey \ud83d\udc95.\u201d<\/p>\n

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