Jackson Michie walked away from Big Brother in 2019 with the title of Season 21 champ and a grand prize of more than $500,000; however, nearly six years and a series of “poor financial decisions” later, Jackson said he’s “blown through” his winnings.
During a recent appearance on ‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves’ God101 series, Jackson revealed how he ended up in his current financial situation, telling Julie that he was at “a delicate place” in his life when he was cast on Season 21 and when he ended up winning the $510,000 prize, he “didn’t have mentorship or guidance or financial counsel” to help him navigate his next moves.
“Now I’m in Los Angeles– catapulted into the world with the same problems that I had not ever healed from,” Jackson recalled.
Shortly before appearing on ‘Big Brother,’ Jackson had relocated to Los Angeles from Nashville and was actively looking for work. While searching and applying for different gigs, he came across the ‘Big Brother’ casting call and decided to give it a shot.
While Jackson admits he was struggling with “five years of drug addiction” at the time, he said he quit using Xanax and cocaine– cold turkey– in preparation for the show. Just months after Season 21 wrapped, however, Jackson– who was just 24 years old at the time– said he “spiraled downhill.”
“ … Having just won $510,000 and having a little bit of popularity in Los Angeles, it was a dangerous combination for me,” he said, adding that after a series of “poor financial decisions,” he was forced to leave Los Angeles and move back home with family.
“I have at this point blown through all of my money, net negative in my checking account,” Jackson said. “[I had] no car, no job, no plan, going back to the city and the place where I ran from with no idea what [lay] ahead.”
While Jackson– who was a polarizing cast member on Season 21, facing accusations of racism and bullying at the time– turned his life around after finding religion and has since married wife Caitlin Goodrich and become a father, he said he understands why some fans of the long-running franchise were upset to see him take home the win in 2019. Jackson admitted that the flak from fans hit especially hard because he ultimately did “crash and burn” as many of his critics predicted he would.
“Disappointed and discouraged didn’t even put words to how I felt,” he recalled. “Because I realized … I did what the people who didn’t like me on the show told me I would do.
“‘You’re young, you’re dumb, you’re gonna blow through it, you’re gonna do this and that, you’re gonna crash and burn,’ and I did,” he continued. “I crashed and burned and I hit rock bottom more times than I can count.”
Watch Jackson’s interview with Julie on God101 below.
(Photos: Instagram)
2 Responses
Because he evicted 2 blacks that makes him a racist, GTFOOH, it’s a game moron, you get rid of the strong players, players you know you can’t beat in the end. That is how you win BB.
Huh. Sending “oh no’s” and “anyways”..
Had to Google his winning moment. Long story short, the guy gets called out for eliminating the 2 black, the only Hispanic and an elderly contestant first out of the house on live television moments before they announce his as the winner.
He was sorely unhappy as he exited to a stream of confetti and hugs.
“Congrats! You’re a racist! Enjoy your check!”
I’m sure the circumstances were a subconscious reason for the money being blown. It wasn’t real or deserved. I realize BB is a game and we’ve had villains before, Dr Will, etc, but this hits differently.