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Big Brother Season 17: Houseguests Revealed

By Mark Drum
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After 37 weeks, the wait is finally over! We've been introduced to the 14 houseguests of this season's Big Brother 17 cast. In what has become a tradition, Big Brother Alum, Jeff Schroeder is interviewing the incoming houseguests and this is our first glimpse into who these houseguests are. With America watching, Robyn Kass and her team have scoured the country finding a unique blend of individuals to bring to the house. For the first time ever the cast reveal was live for those subscribing to the Live Feeds, however you can now see their videos on cbs.com/bigbrother. After three hours of watching the press junket here is my first impression analyst of the cast from their interview and bio.

Jason Roy (25)

Hometown: Fall River, MA

Current City: Swansea, MA

Occupation: Supermarket cashier

  • Jason may not have his "girls," but he'll have seven new ladies to befriend this summer. I expect him to get to at least jury but not close to winning this game. Jason's biggest strength will be his social abilities and I believe his downfall will be following the group. Which only means I've dubbed Jason as a "floater." I will give him some credit in wanting to form an alliance with the ladies, but an all girl alliance hasn't really succeeded since Season Six.

Meg Maley (25)

Hometown: Collingswood, New Jersey

Current City: New York City, NY

Occupation: Server

  • Nothing really stood out for me from Meg. But that doesn't mean I would count her out from playing the game. I believe socially she'll do well, but we will see how she does in competitions. If she says she's a super fan then I won't be surprised if she lays low and establishes relationships with the other houseguests.

Becky Burgess (26)

Hometown: Denver, CO

Current City: Denver, CO

Occupation: Retail Manager

  • After watching all the videos and reviewing everyone, nothing was memorable about her. I pretty much forgot Becky was cast as a houseguest. So this may be a blessing and a curse. Becky will need to form relationships with houseguests to get far in this game. For now consider Becky on my "floater," list.

Audrey Middleton (25)

Hometown: Villa Rica, GA

Current City: Villa, Rica, GA

Occupation: Digital Media Consultant

  • No relation to the Duchess of Cambridge, however there is an interesting fact that has yet to be revealed about Audrey. Even before finding out about the interesting fact, watching Audrey (not to be confused with the name Aubrey) was pleasant. She seems to have a very level head and had one of the longer length bios. Audrey has a story and we'll see where she'll end up in the Big Brother house.

Austin Matelson (30)

Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA

Current City: Woodland Hills, CA

Occupation: Professional Wrestler

  • Judas as he's more commonly known as I believe is a gentle giant. Here's hoping Austin is nothing like Devin from last season. He does seem to have a bit of knowledge of the game. But with his physical stature he'll be seen as a threat to other players during competitions. Austin is definitely no Jesse and I can see Austin going far in the game.

Shelli Poole (33)

Hometown: Marietta, GA

Current City: Atlanta, GA

Occupation: Interior Designer

  • Shelli will be a pawn, a number and a jury vote. She's nothing more than a "floater," in my eyes. Plus being the "oldest" cast member this season that may be a hinderance. Shelli however is definitely easy on the eyes and may use that to her advantage.

James Huling (31)

Hometown: Sumter, SC

Current City: Wichita Falls, TX

Occupation: Retail Associate

  • A regular hillbilly Asian American right here. James seems very down to earth, laid back and Southern. I look forward to seeing how he'll interact with the other houseguests. I expect to see James in an alliance and using that to further his game. His story is really great story and look forward to watching him.

Clay Honeycutt (23)

Hometown: Dickinson, TX

Current City: College Station, TX

Occupation: Graduate Student at Texas A&M

  • A self-professed "super fan" of only a few months, Clay is definitely one of this year's eye candy for the Big Brother house. He even had Jeff Schroder man crushing on him in his interview. Clay seems to be a genuine person and will not have any issue befriending the ladies. Though I will suspect the other houseguest to see him as a threat to any other their games if he were to make it to finale.

Steve Moses (22)

Hometown: Gouverneur, NY

Current City: Gouverneur, NY

Occupation: College Student

  • Steve has one of the longer length bios of the houseguests. He's definitely a student of the game and in life. Steve was even compared to Season 14 winner Ian Terry by Jeff Schroeder. He quickly stated his own individuality and was flattered by the remark. Steve has a good chance of going far, if anything he'll at least be on the jury to cast the vote for the winner.

Liz Nolan (23)

Hometown: Miami, FL

Current City: Miami, FL

Occupation: Marketing Coordinator

  • Liz fell really flat for me in her interview. Also she was nearly close to a wardrobe malfunction. A born and raised Miami girl, I expect her to be in a showmance, maybe even with Steve, I don't see Liz winning the half million dollars.

Da'Vonne Rogers (27)

Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Poker Dealer

  • Pronounced Day-von, she is single mom with a lot of sass. She was the most likable from all the interviews for me. Da'Vonne is keeping her occupation a secret, but I have a suspicion she'll recognize a few of the other houseguests. I'm not putting all my money on Da'Vonne, but she's an early favorite for my America's Favorite Player.

Jace Agolli (23)

Hometown: Dunwoody, GA

Current City: Venice Beach, CA

Occupation: Personal Trainer

  • Jace has already gotten accustom to the California lifestyle, but says he's a Southern Boy at hear. He definitely sounded in his interview he did his quick research on the game. I won't be surprised if Jace relies on his fellow houseguests who are professed "super fans," to help him along the way in understanding the game.

Vanessa Rousso (32)

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Current City: Las Vegas, NV

Occupation: Professional Poker Player

  • "Lady Maverick," as poker players know her, will be keeping that part of her life a secret to her houseguests. With a Poker Dealer in the house, will that effect her game or will the form a poker alliance? Vanessa seems very well put together and look forward to seeing how she'll handle the unexpected twists along the way.

John McGuire (27)

Hometown: Scranton, PA

Current City: Jefferson Township, PA

Occupation: Dentist

  • Dentist by day, guitar player by night. "Johnny Mac" as he likes to be called was loud, excited and raring to play the game. John reminded me a lot like Judd from   Season 15, with his party hard and have fun mentality. I can't wait to see how he'll interact with the other houseguests and if he'll have a showmance.

Predictions & Final Thoughts

Who I predict will win this game after seeing their interviews would have to be Clay. He seems very personable; he will be forming alliances with houseguests he can trust. I think if Vanessa and Austin can get out of the first week without being recognized they could go far. My prediction of the first evicted houseguest has to go to Becky because I keep trying to remember who everyone looks like and she's the only one that isn't as memorable as the rest.

This season's cast seems very vanilla and people are already upset with the lack of diversity. I think Robyn Kass and her team have again done an excellent job searching for these diverse houseguests. In the end the producers of the show have final say of who is cast. Every season has their own story, unique trademark and controlled chaos. What will be this season's be? Tune in next week for the TWO DAY Premiere of Big Brother Season 17 Wednesday, June 24 at 8pm on CBS 62 Detroit!

Mark Drum is a Farmington Hills, MI native and Big Brother fan since 2000. Mark is a graduate from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Theatre Arts.

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