Jillian MacLaughlin, a 27-year-old from New Glasgow became the first winner of Big Brother Canada. MacLaughlin won $100,000, a new car and a $25,000 shopping spree with the title of Big Brother Canada Champion.
MacLaughlin secured her place in the final three by winning her fourth head of household competition, which guaranteed her place in the finale episode.
In the finale episode, the final three houseguests had to compete in a competition that had three parts to win a spot in the final two and the power to decide which houseguest would also go to the final two. MacLaughlin did not win the final competition, but was saved by competitor Gary Levy, who elected to evict MacLaughlin’s ally Emmett Blois instead of her.
MacLaughlin and Levy then faced the last seven houseguests evicted from the show who formed a jury and argued why they thought they deserved to win. The winner of Big Brother Canada is decided by votes cast by the last seven evicted houseguests.
In the end, MacLaughlin won with a vote of four to three, but not without some last minute reality television drama. Topaz Brady, an evicted houseguest who was on the jury, put her hand in the air when host Arisa Cox read out that she had voted for MacLaughlin and proceeded to protest. Cox said the voting rules were clearly stated and video evidence was played to show that Brady had in fact voted for MacLaughlin. With Brady’s vote, MacLaughlin secured enough votes to win and became the first Big Brother Canada champion.
MacLaughlin’s hometown fans were cheering her on in New Glasgow at Glasgow Square Theatre Thursday evening as the finale aired.
"It went crazy down there," Sue Publicover, Jillian's aunt said.
"What a twist," she said of Brady's accident vote for Jillian.
But she maintains that Jillian deserved the win.
"She (Topaz Brady) was told the rules and told what to do," she said. "It's not Jillian's fault. I think it's fair. A game's a game."
Family members said that the one difference between the show and reality is that Jillian never lies.
"She’s playing the game. She’s the sweetest girl and a wonderful teacher," Publicover said. "I’ve never heard her lie in my life, but she’s taken pretty well to it."
Shannon Giles, a cousin of Jillian, is one of the people who suggested she try out.
"I always thought she was special and very competiitve," Giles said.
She said Jillian is also very friendly and outgoing.
Another cousin, Julia Davis said Jillian has always been the kind of person who stood out and was happy to see her success on the show.
"She didn't get too intense about it," Davis said.
Jillian MacLaughlin, a 27-year-old from New Glasgow became the first winner of Big Brother Canada. MacLaughlin won $100,000, a new car and a $25,000 shopping spree with the title of Big Brother Canada Champion.
MacLaughlin secured her place in the final three by winning her fourth head of household competition, which guaranteed her place in the finale episode.
In the finale episode, the final three houseguests had to compete in a competition that had three parts to win a spot in the final two and the power to decide which houseguest would also go to the final two. MacLaughlin did not win the final competition, but was saved by competitor Gary Levy, who elected to evict MacLaughlin’s ally Emmett Blois instead of her.
MacLaughlin and Levy then faced the last seven houseguests evicted from the show who formed a jury and argued why they thought they deserved to win. The winner of Big Brother Canada is decided by votes cast by the last seven evicted houseguests.
In the end, MacLaughlin won with a vote of four to three, but not without some last minute reality television drama. Topaz Brady, an evicted houseguest who was on the jury, put her hand in the air when host Arisa Cox read out that she had voted for MacLaughlin and proceeded to protest. Cox said the voting rules were clearly stated and video evidence was played to show that Brady had in fact voted for MacLaughlin. With Brady’s vote, MacLaughlin secured enough votes to win and became the first Big Brother Canada champion.
MacLaughlin’s hometown fans were cheering her on in New Glasgow at Glasgow Square Theatre Thursday evening as the finale aired.
"It went crazy down there," Sue Publicover, Jillian's aunt said.
"What a twist," she said of Brady's accident vote for Jillian.
But she maintains that Jillian deserved the win.
"She (Topaz Brady) was told the rules and told what to do," she said. "It's not Jillian's fault. I think it's fair. A game's a game."
Family members said that the one difference between the show and reality is that Jillian never lies.
"She’s playing the game. She’s the sweetest girl and a wonderful teacher," Publicover said. "I’ve never heard her lie in my life, but she’s taken pretty well to it."
Shannon Giles, a cousin of Jillian, is one of the people who suggested she try out.
"I always thought she was special and very competiitve," Giles said.
She said Jillian is also very friendly and outgoing.
Another cousin, Julia Davis said Jillian has always been the kind of person who stood out and was happy to see her success on the show.
"She didn't get too intense about it," Davis said.
