Big Brother Honors Mickey Lee, 35, With Season 28 Tribute After 2025 Death

Q: Did 'Big Brother' know about the heart defect that made a 35-year-old contestant fatally vulnerable to the flu?

Probably yes, at least in some form, but there is no public evidence that the show has confirmed exactly what it knew or when. What is public is that Mickey Lee told Julie Chen Moonves on her “God 101” podcast, shortly before Lee’s death, that she had been born with a hole in her heart. That means the show’s host was aware of the condition. It is also reasonable to infer that production may have known, because “Big Brother” contestants typically undergo medical screening before being cast, and a congenital heart defect is the kind of condition such exams could reveal. What is not established is whether producers specifically understood that the defect made Lee especially vulnerable to severe flu complications, or whether the condition was active, repaired, or otherwise medically significant during her time on the show. The available reporting does not include any statement from CBS or the production team addressing that point. The known facts are narrower: Lee, 35, died on Dec. 25, 2025, after multiple cardiac arrests tied to flu complications, and she had a pre-existing heart condition described as a hole in her heart. Medical guidance from the CDC does show that underlying heart conditions can increase the risk of serious flu-related complications. So the best-supported answer is that “Big Brother” likely knew Lee had a congenital heart defect, but there is no public proof that the show knew it made her fatally vulnerable to the flu.

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 10

Season 28 opened Thursday with a memorial title card for former contestant Mickey Lee, showing her photo and the message, “In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990 - 2025).”
Lee, known for her bold run on “Big Brother 27,” died on Christmas Day 2025 at 35 after a series of cardiac arrests tied to flu complications, according to her family.
Days earlier, a GoFundMe campaign said the Atlanta resident was in intensive care in critical but stable condition and surrounded by loved ones and medical staff.
Julie Chen Moonves and other “Big Brother” alumni later paid tribute, with the host calling Lee’s death heartbreaking after recently interviewing her for the “God 101” podcast.