Rick Devens has officially cemented his status as a reality TV icon, securing the victory in 'Big Brother' Season 28. His triumph marks a historic crossover, making him the first contestant to win 'Big Brother' after previously competing on 'Survivor'. Devens, who appeared on 'Survivor' Seasons 38 and 50, took home a substantial prize of $750,000, along with an additional $50,000 as America's Favorite Houseguest and $10,000 from in-game competitions.
Devens' casting was part of a larger twist for the season, which saw three veteran reality players – dubbed 'icons' – join a house of new contestants. Alongside fellow 'Survivor' alum Dee Valladares and 'Big Brother' veteran Angela Murray, Devens formed a formidable alliance that dominated the season. His strategic prowess was evident in his final Head of Household decision to evict Drew, a move he admits was driven by a genuine concern that Drew could have swayed jury votes against him.
Reflecting on his journey, Devens credits his 'Survivor' background with giving him a distinct edge. "On Survivor, everything is so much faster, so you turn a vote at the last second almost out of necessity," he told The Hollywood Reporter. This fast-paced, adaptable mindset contrasted with 'Big Brother's' often slower, more deliberate voting process, allowing him and Dee to actively seek out last-minute flips. He also highlighted the importance of not fearing an early exit, which empowered him to make bold pitches repeatedly until they stuck.
Addressing criticisms from other houseguests who claimed the 'icons' had unfair advantages, Devens was quick to dismiss the notion. He pointed out that the new players had numerous opportunities to target the veterans. "I feel like if you wanted us out, you could have gotten us out. Get it together, newbies," he quipped, emphasizing that their collective numbers (14 to 3) over 11 weeks should have been more than enough.
Beyond the 'Big Brother' house, Devens revealed a surprising anecdote: he had to cancel a cameo appearance in James Gunn's 'Man of Tomorrow' (a.k.a. 'Superman 2') due to his commitment to 'Big Brother'. The opportunity arose because Gunn was filming in Devens' hometown of Macon, Georgia. While Devens missed out, his family still attended the set and were reportedly treated exceptionally well by Gunn. Devens, a self-proclaimed huge fan, expressed his eagerness to connect with the director now that he's free. "James, I will go wherever you are. Let me visit whatever set you’re on," he declared.
Looking ahead, Devens is open to future reality TV ventures. While he'd find it challenging to commit to another long 'Big Brother' season until his children are older, he'd be more inclined to return to 'Survivor' due to its shorter duration. However, he admitted an 'All-Winners Big Brother' season would be difficult to decline. He also expressed interest in competing on 'The Traitors' and even 'The Amazing Race' with his wife, Becca, acknowledging their potential to be "very entertaining." Interestingly, his own children, initially 'Survivor' fans, are now leaning towards 'Big Brother' after seeing the comforts of the house and costumes. He wholeheartedly supports them pursuing either show, offering to prepare them mentally and emotionally.
Devens also offered recommendations for future crossovers: 'Survivor 50' alums Rizo Velovic and Tiffany Nicole Ervin for 'Big Brother', and 'Big Brother' Season 28's Kamu Kirk for 'Survivor', praising their respective gameplay and resilience.