Who is Mickey Lee?

Last updated July 11, 2026

Mickey Lee, the Big Brother 27 houseguest and Atlanta event curator, died December 25, 2025 at age 35 from cardiac arrest tied to flu complications. Big Brother 28 honored her with an on-air tribute during its July 9, 2026 premiere.

Quick facts

Full name: Michaela Chalon "Mickey" Lee
Born: March 31, 1990, Jacksonville, Florida
Died: December 25, 2025, age 35 (cardiac arrest tied to flu complications, per family and CBS News)
Occupation: Event curator and creative professional (Atlanta)
Big Brother season: BB27 (2025) — evicted day 59, 10th place
Tribute: Honored during the Big Brother 28 premiere, July 9, 2026

Why people are searching for Mickey Lee

The Big Brother 28 premiere on July 9, 2026 opened with an on-screen tribute reading "In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990-2025)," seven months after the BB27 houseguest died on Christmas Day 2025.

About Mickey Lee

Michaela Chalon "Mickey" Lee competed on Big Brother season 27, which aired on CBS in 2025. Born March 31, 1990 in Jacksonville, Florida, she lived in Atlanta and worked as an event curator and creative professional. She died on December 25, 2025, at 35. When Big Brother 28 premiered on July 9, 2026, the show opened its season by honoring her memory.

Lee was a capable and memorable player. She aligned early with the side of the house connected to returning veteran Rachel Reilly, and in one of the season's defining moves used a special power to dethrone Rylie Jeffries as the week 4 Head of Household. Evicted on day 59, in week eight, she finished in 10th place — and left holding up heart hands to the cameras, a gesture that became her signature.

According to her family and reporting from CBS News, Lee suffered a series of cardiac arrests stemming from complications of the flu in December 2025. Supporters organized a GoFundMe campaign during her hospitalization, and her family announced that she passed away in the early evening on Christmas Day.

Seven months later came the on-air tribute. As reported by Deadline, the Big Brother 28 premiere showed the photo of Lee holding up heart hands after her eviction, with the text "In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990-2025)." The Big Brother community remembers her for her energy, humor, and heart.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mickey Lee on Big Brother?

A houseguest on Big Brother season 27 (2025) — an event curator from Jacksonville, Florida who lived in Atlanta. She was evicted on day 59 and finished in 10th place.

How did Mickey Lee die?

According to her family and reporting from CBS News, she suffered a series of cardiac arrests stemming from complications of the flu. She died on December 25, 2025, at the age of 35.

How did Big Brother 28 honor Mickey Lee?

With an on-screen tribute during the July 9, 2026 premiere — a photo of Lee holding up heart hands after her BB27 eviction, captioned "In loving memory of Mickey Lee (1990-2025)," as reported by Deadline.

What was Mickey Lee known for on Big Brother 27?

She aligned with Rachel Reilly's side of the house and used a special power to dethrone Rylie Jeffries as the week 4 Head of Household before her week-eight eviction.