Big Brother 21 cast: Jessica Milagros, Kathryn Dunn, Nicole Anthony among the women
So what are our big takeaways here? For starters, we’ve got eight women — which, combined with the eight men, means that we’ve got 16 newbies! Hopefully, that means that there are not going to be any returnees at all this time around. Can we agree that Big Brother is better when all of the players are just starting to explore the game? Let them find their own footing.
Among these women, there are some who are really just exploring the game — as in they don’t know much about it at all and they’re just starting to find their way. Some are a little more familiar with it, but there are a lot of great characters in the mix and that could set the stage for a really fun summer. We have selections from all of the women’s CBS bios below, alongside our question impressions on all of them.
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Holly Allen (31)
Hometown: Lander, Wyo.
Current City: Los Angeles
Occupation: Wine Safari Guide
Three adjectives that describe you: Spontaneous, sarcastic and relentless.
Favorite Activities: Fostering dogs, hiking with wine and road-tripping with a camera in hand.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I haven’t watched it enough to have a favorite.
Fun Fact – I used to go down the Oregon Trail every summer in a covered wagon. With a bonnet on my head.
Our impression
Holly hasn’t seen the show much, and the #1 thing we know about her is that she’s got a romantic history with Bachelor Nation alum Luke Bell (you can read more about that here). Nothing too fascinating to see on the surface.
Nicole Anthony (24)
Hometown: Long Island, N.Y.
Current City: Long Island, N.Y.
Occupation: Preschool Aide
Three adjectives that describe you: Hard working (I always give my 100%), determined (If I want something, I won’t stop until I get it) and hilarious! (I crack myself up constantly.)
Favorite Activities: Reading (novels, the classics, fan fiction, blogs, people’s analysis of song lyrics or discussion of a movie, ANYTHING!), listening to music (because it does it all: it makes me Zen, pumps me up, etc.) and drawing (I have some bad ass artistic skills hiding up my sleeve).
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? The Big Brother houseguest that I liked the most was Paul Abrahamian. He was authentically himself, didn’t take BS from anyone, and ran that house while most everyone else mindlessly followed. I admire his ability to stay true to himself and not feel the need to apologize or explain his reasons. He played the game, and played it well.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? Yes, my strategy for winning the game is to play it as authentically and objectively as I can. In other words, I want to stay true to myself and connect with people on real, personal levels while also remembering to play the game non-emotionally for what it is: a game. Yes, the other people are my game pieces, but they are still people.
Fun Fact – I love solving puzzles and mysteries. Because of this, I have played all of the Nancy Drew video games!
Our Impression
Nicole’s someone who should be interesting to watch — she’s got a little bit of that superfan vibe! We’re just shocked that Paul, of all people, is the person she is the most like.
Kathryn Dunn (29)
Hometown: Irving, Texas
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Occupation: Digital Marketing Executive
Three adjectives that describe you: Reliable, hardworking and fun!
Favorite Activities: Since I work/live/breathe marketing, most of my hobbies are related to social media and Instagram. I love creating content and producing photo shoots for my friends and me! I also love shopping and being outdoors on a pretty day.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I’m not gonna lie, since I don’t watch TV I’m not very seasoned on Big Brother history so instead of BSing you and listing some fake reasons of why some random houseguest is my favorite, I’ll list some reasons that a future applicant would pick me as their favorite: I’m funny and reference memes a lot, I’m loyal to those who are loyal to me, I’m nice but low-key savage, I’m smart and calculating so I’ll always have reasons to back up my decisions.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? So looking back on when I was in training camp for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, I realize that my approach was all wrong. I was looking at me/in your face because I wanted to stand out, but because of that , I was the first one gone. I think in a competitive setting like this, it’s important to stay under the radar for as long as you can, and only arise when it counts. I’ll be friendly and pleasant to everybody so nobody will have a reason not to like me, and I’ll work/strategize behind the scenes so they don’t even see me as a threat. Stay woke, my friends.
Fun Fact – I have my student pilot license and have flown over the Hawaiian islands twice.
Our Impression
She’s here for the Instagram likes.
Kemi Faknule (25) (pronounce Kem-ee Fah-coo-nel-ee)
Hometown: Elkridge, Md.
Current City: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Occupation: Marketing Strategist
Three adjectives that describe you: I’m very positive. I like to see the silver lining in situations because what’s happened has happened, so deal with it in a way that benefits you. I’m also very goal-oriented. Though my goals do change from time to time, I’m definitely a “by any means necessary” sort of woman. I’m a bitch. This is a (not so) sad truth. When I feel provoked I can be extremely vicious. It took me 24 years to actually learn the difference between “feeling provoked” and actually “being provoked.” Growth.
Favorite Activities: Contributing to the economy (shopping), discovering new restaurants (recent foodie) and traveling with my friends (hoping to make is to Vegas soon so any potential face palms can be filed under “oh, I was young.”)
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I absolutely loveeeeeee Rachel “I am Vegas” Reilly. I love how unapologetic and authentic she was. Not a care in the world if you didn’t like her because she was here for the money and her man. That’s 100% me! Jessica Graf is also up there for the exact same reason but wow I love Rachel so much!
Fun Fact – I keep a blog of guys I’ve dated/hooked up with to amuse whoever has access to it. I guess I could call myself a writer since I live in New York now. Most dates are horror stories so why not detail a first date that involved a guy telling me there are only two types of women: pay for play or wifey.
Our Impression
Kemi’s going to be fun, we can’t wait to see her play — and she’s also probably going to get a showmance.
Jessica Milagros (30ish) (pronounced Me-law-gross)
Hometown: Chicago
Current City: Oak Park, Ill.
Occupation: Model
Three adjectives that describe you: Affectionate, charismatic and creative.
Favorite Activities: Dancing, painting and photography.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I personally liked Dan from Season 10. He was the perfect mix of smart and funny, conniving and yet such a well-liked guy. He played a great game
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I just believe in being myself and genuinely getting to know the housemates. I’m someone who observes actions and can be fun but laid back. I know from experience that if you ask someone about themselves and show true interest they tend to confide in you.
Fun Fact – My first job out of college was driving the Hershey Kissmobile and was a gypsy for a year, traveling across the country.
Our Impression
It’s cool that the model archetype is a plus-size model this year, and it actually seems like she’s done her homework on the game.
Christie Murphy (28)
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Current City: Keyport, N.J.
Occupation: Boutique Owner
Three adjectives that describe you: Outgoing, overachiever and edgy.
Favorite Activities: I love to go to the park with my dog, I like to do basically ANYTHING in nature, specifically waterfall hikes and I also like to try new food & restaurants with friends.
What do you think will be the most difficult part about living inside the Big Brother house? I think for me, the most difficult part would be not being able to talk to whoever is running my store. Obviously, I’ll hate not speaking to my friends and family as well, but by nature I’m a controlling person, so not knowing what’s going on at Mystic will be challenging! Also, no music. I’m such a musical person! I’m the “whistling girl.” I’m always either singing or whistling… so I’m definitely going to miss music!
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I really loved Jeff and Jordan, and I really love the dynamic they had and the game that they played together. Gameplay wise, I think Paul is incredible. I think he was a master at manipulating, and also a competition beast. Do I think he should have toned it down a little bit with the lying and playing everyone in the house? Yes. But I think he was savvy & strong! I also love Dan, but who doesn’t?
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? Yes! I do! I plan on using my sexuality as a major social advantage. I’m going into the house as the openly feminine lesbian. I will use my femininity and charm to easily persuade and subtly manipulate the men, while also being the emotional shoulder, and best friend to all the girls. I also won’t pose as a threat to the women, because I won’t be after any of the men. At the same time, I won’t be a physical or athletic threat to the boys. Little do the guys know though, I am super competitive, and an extreme overachiever and I plan on winning a lot of the competitions! I have a photographic memory and I’m also killer at puzzles!
Fun Fact – I skeeve dirty feet, so ya better keep those nasty dogs out of my bed!
Our Impression
Personality-wise, one of the most fascinating people on the season. Her store’s going to get a TON of business.
Analyse Talavera (22) (pronounced Ah-nah-lease Tah-la-vera)
Hometown: Northridge, Calif.
Current City: Simi Valley, Calif.
Occupation: College Soccer Star
Three adjectives that describe you: Funny, outgoing and confident.
Favorite Activities: I love tanning and going to the beach. If tanning could be an occupation that would no doubt be my calling. Some people call me a lizard which is kind of ironic because I am actually deathly afraid of them. I also love shopping. I love clothes and having a really good style. I really wanted to go to fashion school when I was in high school but I thought playing soccer was cooler. And lastly, I love just relaxing and hanging out with friends and talking and going to lunches or dinners.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? My favorite houseguests were Dick Donato, Daniele Donato, and Tyler Crispen. I loved how Dick and Daniele were on the same season at one point. I thought it was the coolest thing. I love how Dick was so evil and basically a dick to people and caused drama. I loved Daniele because she was basically the same age as me when she started Big Brother but I love how she is a California beach girl like me and seems really sweet and innocent but has a sassy bitchy side like me. I also really love Tyler because he played one of the best games in Big Brother history.
Fun Fact – I only eat my cheeseburgers plain with ketchup.
Our Impression
So long as she doesn’t tell anyone she’s a soccer star, she should do reasonably well!
Isabella Wang (22)
Hometown: Mount Olive, N.J.
Current City: Los Angeles
Occupation: Public Health Analyst
Three adjectives that describe you: Spontaneous, reckless and generous.
Favorite Activities: Spending other people’s money.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? I liked when Isabella Wang won season 21.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? Bribery
Fun Fact – I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro… but I didn’t tell my mom because for spring break when I asked her if I could go with my boyfriend she said no… so I went anyway. She still doesn’t know. I told her I went to my best friend’s house and she would call my best friend (Cassie) and Cas would say that I had diarrhea and was sick and could not get to the phone.
Bonus Fun Fact – When I was in 5th grade my dad took me to China (fly back to the motherland frequently because Chinese) and he left me in the middle of nowhere for 2 months because he said I was being a brat and that he grew up eating toothpaste during the culture revolution.
Our impression
Tremendous character — she may not do well, but she’ll make a splash however long she is there.
What do you think about the women competing on Big Brother 21? Be sure to share right now in the comments. (Photo: CBS.)