“I WANT IN!” Julie Chen Moonves Stuns Fans by Revealing She Wants to Compete as a Houseguest on Big Brother 28
In a stunning revelation that has Big Brother fans buzzing ahead of the milestone season, longtime host Julie Chen Moonves has expressed her desire to step out from behind the podium and into the house as a competitor — at least for one of the competition’s most legendary challenges.
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For the upcoming 1,000th episode of Big Brother 28, Julie has set her sights on participating in the iconic Wall competition, one of the most physically and mentally demanding endurance events in the show’s history. Speaking in an interview with TV Insider, the veteran host shared her ambitious personal goal: to last 1,000 seconds — the equivalent of 16 minutes and 40 seconds — on the Wall in honor of the historic milestone.
“Only God knows if I can do it and if the Powers That Be at Big Brother and CBS say yes to my unexpected idea! Pray they say yes and pray I make it!” Julie said.
The Wall made its debut in Big Brother 10 in 2008 and has since become a fan-favorite tradition. Houseguests must balance on a small platform as the wall tilts forward, while being subjected to drenching liquids, flying objects, and other obstacles designed to test their limits. April Dowling claimed victory in the first Wall competition during Season 10, while Big Brother 27 saw eventual runner-up Vince Panaro emerge as the winner.
Julie’s desire to compete comes as Big Brother 28 prepares for its July 9 premiere. While rumors continue to swirl about potential returning houseguests, nothing has been officially confirmed. What is certain is that Julie will return as host, a role she has held since the series premiered on July 5, 2000.
This wouldn’t mark Julie’s first time dipping her toes into the competitive side of the game. She previously appeared in a fashion-focused video for a Big Brother 25 Head of Household competition and was featured in a rescue challenge during the early days of Big Brother 27. She also regularly previews the BB Blockbuster games on Instagram by testing them herself. Yet her wish to tackle the Wall represents a far more immersive and personal involvement.
Beyond the 1,000th episode, Julie revealed even bigger aspirations. She expressed interest in one day competing as a full houseguest alongside her teenage son, Charlie. Born on September 24, 2009, Charlie is now 16 years old and Julie’s only child with her husband, former CBS chairman Les Moonves.
“He is more athletic than me, smarter than me, and funnier than me,” Julie said. “As his mom, I would protect him like the biggest mama bear the world has ever seen…or would I? I mean, it is ultimately a game, and everyone is everyone else’s competition! It would be fun to see, that’s for sure. Even for me to face those questions.”
For over 25 years, Julie has guided viewers through every twist, alliance, betrayal, and triumph the game has to offer. Her deep institutional knowledge of Big Brother strategy has long fueled speculation among fans about how she might perform if she ever crossed over from host to player. Seeing her apply that expertise in real time — especially in an endurance test as brutal as the Wall — would undoubtedly create one of the most memorable moments in the show’s history.
As anticipation builds for the Big Brother 28 premiere and the reveal of the new houseguests, Julie Chen Moonves’ bold ambitions have added an extra layer of excitement to an already landmark season. Whether the “Powers That Be” greenlight her Wall participation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the host who has watched thousands of hours of gameplay is ready to experience the pressure firsthand.
