ATLANTA — “Big Brother” host Julie Chen Moonves paid tribute in an Instagram post to former contestant Mickey Lee, who her family said died Christmas Day at 35. Chen Moonves said the two had spoken recently for her faith podcast and wrote, “I will see you again on the other side in eternity.” The posts were shared Dec. 26, 2025.
In her message, Chen Moonves said Mickey Lee had told her she was “born with a hole in her heart” and had survived a serious ATV accident as an adult. The host framed the loss through her Christian faith, sharing condolences to Lee’s loved ones and asking for comfort as fans and former houseguests mourned. Details of the tribute were reported by People and E! Online.
What we know about Mickey Lee’s death and the tributes
Lee’s family announced her death in a social media statement, describing Mickey Lee as someone whose “authenticity, strength, and spirit” resonated with viewers and castmates. They asked for privacy and said memorial details would be shared later. Entertainment Weekly reported that “Big Brother” executive producers also remembered Lee in a statement, calling her “a bright light” and offering condolences to her family.
CBS News Atlanta reported that supporters had launched a GoFundMe days earlier after Mickey Lee suffered “a series of cardiac arrests,” with the station attributing the medical crisis to flu complications. The fundraiser described Lee as being treated in an intensive care unit and facing mounting medical costs. CBS News Atlanta said no additional details about her death were released by the family.
Mickey Lee’s “Big Brother” journey, in her own words
Before she became a staple of live-feed conversation, Mickey Lee was introduced as a 35-year-old event curator from Jacksonville, Florida, living in Atlanta, Georgia, when CBS unveiled the season’s cast. That early snapshot of her background and job — long before the season’s alliances and twists hardened — is captured in a July 8, 2025, cast roundup published by TheWrap.
After her eviction, Mickey Lee spoke publicly about her gameplay in exit interviews, including a Sept. 5, 2025, conversation with Rob Has a Podcast that revisited the season’s big moves and the decisions that made her a polarizing, compelling houseguest. That interview — posted weeks after the show’s midseason shakeups — is archived at RobHasAwebsite.com.
For now, the most consistent request from those closest to Mickey Lee has been simple: space to grieve. As tributes continue to circulate across the “Big Brother” community, her family has said it will share service details when they are ready.
