‘I’m Done’: ‘Big Brother’ Star Nicole Franzel Says She’s Retired From CBS Show
Nicole Franzel was one of the contestants of Big Brother 22: All-Stars. The self-proclaimed social media influencer broke a record this summer as the houseguest with the most days living inside the house. Franzel was close to the $500,000 grand prize but was savagely cut by winner Cody Calafiore in the end. For the reality star, it’s been too emotional and she’s now saying she will never return.
Why is Nicole Franzel not returning?
Franzel returned to Big Brother for a third shot at the half-million-dollar grand prize. The contestant had won season 16 when she edged out Paul Abrahamian thanks to Da’Vonne Rogers casting a final vote in her favor. Franzel tried to play with the same strategy once again for the All-Stars season, laying low during the first half of the game and making big moves in the end.
It was looking bright for Franzel when she won the first of three Head of Household competitions during the last week of Big Brother. However, in the last game, Calafiore was able to win over Franzel who ultimately picked Enzo Palumbo to take to the Final 2. Franzel was counting on Calafiore to take her to the end as she had been working close to him throughout the season.
Franzel was shocked, just like the rest of the viewers, that she didn’t have a seat in the Final 2. The “influencer” was notably upset that she was not given an opportunity to plea her case to the jury as to why she would be the winner. Instead, Franzel became part of the jury and helped Calafiore secure the top prize with a unanimous vote in his favor over Palumbo.
Being cut off from society for months was weighing heavy on Franzel. When she gave an interview she was asked if she would play Big Brother again and she said she wouldn’t.
“I’m done. I’m retired. My heart can’t take anymore, so I’m out,” Franzel told Us Weekly.
‘Big Brother’ will return
Franzel might not be returning for another season of Big Brother, but the show will make a comeback next summer. The eye network confirmed that the Julie Chen-hosted competition will be back for season 23.
“At Big Brother, we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date!” Mitch Graham, senior vice president of alternative programming for CBS, said in a statement to TVLine. “We could not be prouder of the entire team who delivered a fantastic season under such extreme circumstances. It feels fitting for this unprecedented season to conclude with an announcement of the show’s return next summer.”
As you know, the winner of the competition takes home $500,000. For making it to the final and being a runner-up, that player takes home $75,000. During the finale, America also has a say and votes for their favorite player of the season.
For season 22, Rogers took home America’s Favorite Houseguest prize and made history as the first Black contestant to do so.
Big Brother might have ended but CBS All Access has the whole season now available for viewers to watch.
