Bradenton native competes on this reality show’s ‘biggest season yet’
Bradenton-area reality show fans can look to CBS’s “Big Brother” to root for a native Floridian.
Jimmy Heagerty, 25, is an artificial intelligence consultant living in Washington, D.C., with Bradenton ties. He entered the “Big Brother” house on July 10 to compete in the show’s 27th season.
Heagerty attended Manatee High School and was a student speaker during his 2018 graduation. According to his old National Collegiate Scouting Association profile, Heagerty played tennis at Manatee High and trained at IMG Academy.
During the houseguests’ introductions to each other during the first week, Heagerty intentionally misled the others and claimed to be a tennis coach from Bradenton. While he’s not currently a tennis coach, he is originally from Bradenton and played tennis in high school.
He said on the show that he played competitive tennis for about 15-16 years.
In the season premiere, Heagerty told viewers that he wanted to keep his real occupation a secret as it may be seen as an indication that he is an efficient analyzer, and potentially a threat to other houseguests.
“Whether it’s professional or personal, I’ve always had to use strategy to get what I want,” Heagerty said in his opening interview. “So I’m bringing that level of manipulation in the Big Brother house.”
“Big Brother” began airing in 2000. The host, Julie Chen Moonves, said viewers can expect the “biggest season yet” and emphasized the show’s tagline: “Expect the unexpected.”
Every season, houseguests enter the Big Brother house to vie for the $750,000 grand prize. The game is a mix of physical and intellectual challenges, while balancing the social aspect of the game to form alliances and eliminate other houseguests.
Heagerty was one of 17 houseguests to enter the game on July 10 and, since then, has formed several alliances with other houseguests — an essential part of the reality show.
To follow Heagerty’s “Big Brother” journey, viewers can tune into CBS at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, or watch on Paramount+.
