Janelle Pierzina has generated a significant amount of hype during her tenure on CBS's Big Brother, and to this day, she remains a fan favorite among the cast.
Pierzina appeared in seasons 6 (2005),7 (2006), 14 (2012), and 22 (2020) of Big Brother. She also participated in season 2 of Peacock's The Traitors and The Amazing Race season 31.
Her presence on Big Brother was a bubbling dose of drama, but she carried herself with an authentic heart. Don't forget that in the mid-2000s, reality TV thrived on drama, emotions, and the flesh for competition. Yet, the industry is still robust, and viewers are just as attached as ever.
These days, Pierzina's career has shifted to being a licensed realtor in her home state of Minnesota. In our exclusive interview, she looks fondly on her tenure with Big Brother, her life now, and the one thing she would have liked to have changed.
Would you mind sharing your experience of being on Big Brother for multiple seasons and working with CBS?
Perzina: It was a great experience. My first season [which was season 6 in 2005] was obviously my favorite because it was super fresh and new for me. CBS has always been really great to me. I've been working with them for 20 years now, so it's been really nice and I had a great time doing Big Brother.
How has your life changed since being on the show, or did you take anything from the perspective a bit?
Peirzina: I think doing the show has definitely changed my life quite a bit, actually. For the better, really. I sell houses now, so people recognize me in the hometown I'm in, and they use me as their realtor. It's definitely benefited my life, not hindered it in any way, so that's always good.
Would you change anything from your time being on Big Brother?
I have to think back to my very first season. I think in hindsight, I should have talked to Howie from my alliance in season six and told him that it wasn't wise to get rid of James [Rhine] because James wasn't going to put us on the block. He was just playing both sides, and we could deal with him later.
I was nervous then to say that to him because he had a secret partner and I could tell from just the way that they were acting that they made a special deal with Maggie and I wasn't included in the deal, not that I cared, but I didn't want to step on Rachel's toes, so to speak. I didn't really say anything because that was her partner, but it did hurt all of our games.
As for filming, I had to do what I was told [by the network]. I really wish I had stuck to my guns in season 22 and told the producers that I'm over 40, and I deserve to sleep more than the 20-year-olds.
Do you remain close with anyone since wrapping up the show?
Peirzina: I'm still really close with my original alliance [from] season six. We actually all went on a cruise together this June. We're still really close. Beau [Beasley] was in my wedding. He's from season six. Then Rachel [Reilly], who's on the current season [27], is also another really good friend of mine. I'm still really good friends with Britney Haynes. She and I were on season 14 and did The Amazing Race together.
What advice would you give to people who desire to go into the reality TV industry?
Pierzina: The advice that I would give them is just to have fun with it. It goes by so quickly, and if you're not having fun, I don't think it will be a good experience for you. But as long as you're having fun doing whatever show it is, whether it's Survivor, Big Brother, The Traitors, or whatever, just have fun with it. It can go by quickly, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should be taking in.
Could fans see a potential return to the Big Brother House and the franchise?
Pierzina: I don't think so. You know, I've played four times, and I really have had a great time doing it. Every single time that I do it, I have fun, and I enjoy it. However, I don't think I really want to come back again. The filming schedule is long. I'm at a different stage in my professional life, and I just don't see myself taking three months off to film a show.
That's understandable, as we can't recreate the original moments, but we do have good memories from it. Are you enjoying the current season, and is there anything you'd like to add?
Pierzina: I'm enjoying the current season. I think it is turning out to be good. I hope Rachel can continue to do well. And I'm also rooting for Keanu [Soto] and Kelley [Jorgensen].
What was your favorite moment from the show or any of the seasons in general?
Pierzina: My favorite moment from any season is Keesha Smith's birthday and all the fights that season 10 had that day. That's my favorite season. And Keesha's birthday was the best. I love that moment, and I love those fights - [there's] nothing like good drama to stir up the pot every now and then.
Big Brother season 27 is currently airing on CBS. You can catch all the seasons on Paramount+
*This interview has been edited for clarity.*