“Big Brother” alumni continue to make headlines long after leaving the iconic house, with several former contestants experiencing major milestones that have fans buzzing across social media. From dramatic personal transformations and career frustrations to blossoming romances and surprise family announcements, these reality stars prove that life after “Big Brother” can be just as eventful as their time in the game.
Whether they’re calling out networks, relocating for love, or welcoming new additions to their families, these contestants show how their “Big Brother” experience was just the beginning of their public journeys.
Derek Frazier Calls Out CBS for Casting Cookout Allies
Derek Frazier, who finished as runner-up on “Big Brother 23,” publicly called out CBS in March 2025 for excluding him from additional reality shows while his fellow Cookout alliance members have secured spots on other network competitions.
In a pointed social media post, Frazier wrote, “CBS, thank you. Since Big Brother 23, five out of six members of The Cookout have competed on CBS competition shows, and I appreciate you making it clear how you feel about me.”
The 33-year-old reality star expressed his disappointment directly, adding, “Trust me, it doesn’t feel good, I definitely feel left out.” His frustration stems from watching other Cookout members, such as Xavier Prather, Azah Awasum, Kyland Young, and Tiffany Mitchell, appear on shows like “The Challenge: USA,” while he remains on the sidelines.
Frazier’s comments came shortly after speculation emerged that “The Amazing Race” season 38 might feature “Big Brother” alumni, including some of his former alliance members. The reality star has undergone a remarkable transformation since his 2021 appearance, sharing that he has “lost over 71 pounds, working out seven days a week” and has been working full-time as a director since 2021.
Defending himself against critics, Frazier clapped back at trolls telling him to get a regular job, stating, “And let me just say this for all the people telling me to ‘get a full-time job,’ I’ve been a director full-time since 2021, for the last three years.” He captioned a December 2024 TikTok video showcasing his weight loss: “Call it a comeback. To everyone who said ‘no,’ ‘too fat,’ or ‘you’ll never be picked again’ — thanks for the fuel,” per Us Weekly.
Matt and Makensy Turn Big Brother Romance Into Real Relationship
Season 26 contestants Matt Hardeman and Makensy Manbeck have successfully transitioned their brief “Big Brother” connection into a thriving real-world romance. Despite Hardeman’s early eviction on Day 10, the pair reconnected after the show concluded and have been dating for six months as of April 2025.
The couple’s relationship has progressed significantly, with Manbeck telling Us Weekly in January 2025, “Matt’s in Atlanta and I am moving to Atlanta. I’m so, so excited”. The 22-year-old Texas native explained her decision to relocate, sharing that “I actually grew up here for 10 years so I really like it here. I love the community that he’s built here and I think it’s just time for me to have a little change and I want to be close to him.”
Their relationship became Instagram official in December 2024, with fans celebrating their connection. Hardeman explained their approach to going public: “We wanted to make sure that from the moment we connected post-finale to December 4 that we navigated something authentically and as genuine as possible with one another,” per Us Weekly.
The couple recently celebrated their six-month anniversary, with Manbeck creating a personalized gift featuring photos from their relationship. Both contestants have expressed interest in potentially competing together on “The Amazing Race” in the future.
Tyler Crispen Welcomes Baby Girl and Announces Engagement
“Big Brother 20” runner-up Tyler Crispen delivered the ultimate surprise announcement in January 2025, revealing both the birth of his first child and his engagement simultaneously. Crispen wrote on Instagram, “The best secret of all time. Your mama and I love you more than anything in this world,” when announcing the arrival of his daughter, Carter Rae Crispen, born January 12.
The 29-year-old reality star has kept his fiancée’s identity private, referring to her only as “My fiancé (oh yeah, double surprise)” in his Instagram post. He thanked their close circle for helping maintain the secret throughout the pregnancy.
Crispen previously explained his decision to keep relationships private during an appearance on “The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp” podcast, sharing that “it just strengthens the connection because it can be hard for someone that is in the public eye to be with someone that’s not.”
The announcement marked a significant life change for Crispen, who was previously engaged to fellow Big Brother contestant Angela Rummans. The former couple dated for four years before ending their engagement in December 2022. Since welcoming his daughter, Crispen has embraced fatherhood, updating his social media bio to reflect his new role as a “Girl Dad.”
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3 Major Updates From Former ‘Big Brother’ Contestants This Year