List of Big Brother 9 (U.S.) HouseGuests

There were 16 HouseGuest in total in the ninth edition of American reality television series"Big Brother" where the HouseGuests were observed by television viewers 24 hours a day and each week, one or more HouseGuests were voted to be evicted by the remaining HouseGuest until the winner is left.

Sixteen HouseGuests entered on Day 1 and two previously evicted HouseGuests returned to the House, the most in any American season. For the first time in the American version of "Big Brother" a HouseGuest voluntarily left the House. Neil left the House on Day 7 due to "urgent personal matters", Sharon re-entered the House hours later as Neil's replacement. James returned to the House less than 20 minutes after being evicted on Day 35 after the HouseGuests voted for him to return over the "mystery HouseGuest". The public chose Alex to be the "mystery HouseGuest" but ultimately wasn't voted back into the House by the other HouseGuests. The major twist this season was that each HouseGuest was paired with a soulmate and the pairs shared Head of Household and Power of Veto wins and was evicted together until the end of Week 3.cite web | last = Logan | first = Michael | title = Winter Edition of Big Brother Turns Up the Heat | publisher = TVGuide.com | date = 2008-02-06 | url = http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Big-Brother-9/800032616 | accessdate = 2008-02-06]

Adam

thumb|right|The nine men introduced on the show (from left to right):Ryan, Parker, Joshuah; Neil, Alex, Adam; Jacob, James, MattAdam Jasinski (born April 30, 1978) is a public relations manager from Delray Beach, Florida. Adam has a master's degree in fashion design/marketing and has attended Camden County College in New Jersey, Parson's School of Design in New York and Fashion Art Italy in Italy. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/adam/bio.php Adam's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] He became the center of controversy when he made a comment referring to autistic people as retards. [ [http://www.mindlessmommy.com/2008/02/more-on-adam-jasinski-and-the-united-autism-foundation.html More on Adam Jasinski and the United Autism Foundation. - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy ] ] His soulmate was Sheila. Adam won part 2 of the 3 part final Head of Household competition. At the finale, Adam became the winner of Big Brother 9 with 6 of 7 votes, getting him the $500,000 prize.

Alex

Alex Coladonato (born August 16, 1983) is the owner of E-Squared Productions, a DJ company from Staten Island, New York. Alex has an older brother, Anthony, and was raised by his mother and grandmother. His father worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was killed in World Trade Center 2 on 9/11. Alex has dedicated his life to making his father proud. He also has various bachelor's degree in business, marketing and advertising and recently is working on his first master's degree in childhood education at St. John's University. Alex's soulmate this season was Amanda. They were the third pair evicted from the House. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/alex/bio.php Alex's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] While Alex was voted back into the House by America's Choice on Day 35, the HouseGuests voted 5 - 3 for James to return to the House (minutes after his eviction) rather than Alex, known only to the House as a previously evicted "mystery HouseGuest". The following week it would be revealed to the HouseGuests that Alex was the "mystery HouseGuest" they voted against.

Allison

Allison Nichols (born July 24, 1979) is a pharmaceutical sales representative from Boston, Massachusetts. She also has a bachelor of arts/psychology degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. In the spring of 2002 she spent a semester at sea. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/allison/bio.php Allison's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] Allison is a reformed gambling addict. Her soulmate is Ryan. On Day 16, Allison suffered from an allergic reaction and left the House for medical attention; she returned to the House a few hours later.cite episode |title= Episode 12 |series= Big Brother: After Dark |serieslink= Big Brother: After Dark |credits= Alison Gronder Productions, Endemol USA |network= Showtime 2 |airdate= 2008-02-23 |season= 2 |number= 12 |minutes= 56] Allison claimed that her throat was closing and she could not breathe. Her allergic reaction happened right before Amanda passed out from hypoglycemia. On Day 28, Allison became the 6th person evicted from the House and the 1st individual evicted in this season.

Amanda

Amanda Hansen (born August 17, 1984) is a paralegal from Fridley, Minnesota. She attended Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota and has a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies and political science. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/amanda/bio.php Amanda's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] At the age of 21, Amanda had to cope with her father's suicide and still feels guilty because she feels it could have been prevented. On Day 16, Amanda fainted and experienced a seizure due to lack of sugar from being on slop and was removed from the House for medical treatment. She returned to the House later that night. Amanda was evicted, along with her soulmate Alex, on Day 21.cite episode |title= Episode 12 |series= Big Brother: After Dark |serieslink= Big Brother: After Dark |credits= Alison Gronder Productions, Endemol USA |network= Showtime 2 |airdate= 2008-02-23 |season= 2 |number= 12 |minutes= 61]

Chelsia

Chelsia Hart (born November 9, 1986) is a college student from Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is currently attending the University of Northern Iowa and is a German major. She has lived in Germany and this September she will begin studying in Austria for a year. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/chelsia/bio.php Chelsia's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] Her soulmate is James. She was nominated for eviction on Day 28 by Ryan. On Day 30 she won the Power of Veto. Chelsia was evicted by a unanimous vote on Day 49, becoming the second jury member.

Jacob

Jacob Gregg Heald (born May 15, 1984) is an electrician from Dallas, Georgia. Jacob is a former Marine and has lived all over the world. He has attended elementary school in San Diego, California and Okinawa, Japan prior to moving to Maryland, then Jacksonville, North Carolina. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/jacob/bio.php Jacob's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] He was Sharon's ex-boyfriend, and her soulmate in the Big Brother House. Jacob and Sharon were the first pair to be evicted from the House, on Day 3. Sharon returned, making him the first person voted off.

James

James Michael Zinkand (born November 21, 1986) is a high school graduate originally from Sarasota, Florida and is currently biking around the world with just $100. He has also dressed mannequins for a living while living in Buenos Aires. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/james/bio.php James's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] Prior to appearing on "Big Brother" James appeared in gay pornography videos.cite web | title = 'BB' Shocker: James Isn't Just Crazy About Women | publisher = KCBS-TV | date = 2008-02-25 | url = http://cbs2.com/local/Big.Brother.Crazy.2.662323.html | accessdate = 2008-02-25 ] James' soulmate for the show is Chelsia. He has admitted to having strong feelings for her. On Day 35, James was initially evicted by a vote of 5 to 1, but he was voted back into the House with a 5-3 vote, over a previously evicted HouseGuest who was hidden inside a "mystery box"; the previously evicted HouseGuest was not immediately revealed to the other HouseGuests (but days later, the mystery HouseGuest was revealed as Alex). On the same night, James won Head of Household in a 5-hour endurance competition. James was once again evicted on Day 63 with a unanimous vote of 3-0, becoming the fourth jury member. During the duration of the season James won three consecutive Power of Veto competitions, a record in Big Brother. On the finale night the viewing public voted James as "America's Favorite Juror" earning him $25,000.

Jen

Jen Diturno (born October 18, 1981) is a bartender from Columbus, Ohio. She has attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio where she received her bachelor's degree in education. She is also certified in Special Education K–12 and was a special education teacher after she graduated from Bowling Green State University. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/jen/bio.php Jen's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] She is Ryan's girlfriend, but also Parker's soulmate for the duration of the show. Jen and Parker won the first competition of the season, earning the sole power to evict another couple. Jen and Parker were the second couple evicted.

Joshuah

Joshuah Michael Welch (born June 3, 1982) is an advertising media buyer from Dallas, Texas. Joshuah has a bachelor's degree in advertising, with a business minor, from the University of Texas at Austin. He is bisexual and came out to his family when he was 18 years old. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/joshuah/bio.php Joshuah's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] His soulmate for the show was originally Neil. When Neil left the House on Day 7, Joshuah was given the option to replace Neil with either the formerly-evicted Jacob or Sharon, and he chose Sharon. [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/recaps/904/ An Unexpected Return] "CBS official site" Retrieved 2008-02-20] On Day 56, Joshuah was evicted from the Big Brother House by a vote of 3-1 as the third member of the jury.

Matt

Matt McDonald (born April 7, 1984) is a roofing foreman from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He is an only child and is extremely close with his mother. He lost his father when he was 9 years old. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/matt/bio.php Matt's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] On Day 42, Matt was evicted with a 4-3 vote. Matt is the first member of the jury of "Big Brother 9". He was paired in the House with Natalie.

Natalie

Natalie Lynn Cunial (born November 7, 1979) is a bikini barista from Salem, Oregon. As a kid she moved around a lot, during high school she lived in Alameda, California; Salem, Oregon and Mililani, Hawaii. She attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem as well as The Art Institute of Las Vegas in Nevada. She previously won the title of Miss Hawaiian Tropic Oregon. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/natalie/bio.php Natalie's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] On Day 70, Natalie was evicted with a 2-1 vote. Natalie is the fifth member of the jury of Big Brother 9. She was paired in the House with Matt.

Neil

Neil Garcia (born September 16, 1978) is a realtor who lives in Los Angeles, California, but is originally from Texas. He has studied criminology, criminal justice, political science and business management in college but did not earn a degree. He is a real estate agent and is openly gay. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/neil/bio.php Neil's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] His soulmate for the show was Joshuah. He left the House due to an urgent personal matter on Day 7, and was replaced by the previously-evicted Sharon, when Joshuah was given the choice to bring back either Sharon or Jacob as Neil's replacement. Neil is the first HouseGuest to leave the House voluntarily in the American version of "Big Brother".

Parker

Parker Somerville (born April 6, 1981) is a paparazzo from Northridge, California. He attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received a bachelor's degree in radio and television. Parker works as a member of the paparazzi for TMZ.com and served in the Air Force from 1999–2002 and received a general discharge. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/parker/bio.php Parker's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] His soulmate for the duration of the show is Jen and with her he became a part of the first "power couple" in Big Brother US history. [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/recaps/901/index5.php One Heart=$10K] "CBS official site" Retrieved 2008-02-13] Jen and Parker won the first competition of the season, earning the sole power to evict another couple. Parker and Jen were the second couple evicted. [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/recaps/905/index4.php The votes are in] "CBS official site" Retrieved 2008-02-22]

Ryan

Ryan Quicksall (born September 16, 1980) is a college student from Columbus, Ohio. Ryan currently attends Ohio State University and is majoring in economics and business. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/ryan/bio.php Ryan's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] Ryan's soulmate is Allison, but he has been dating fellow HouseGuest Jen prior to entering the House. He won the 1st and 3rd challenges of the 3 part Head of Household competition. Ryan was the runner-up of Big Brother 9, losing to Adam in a 6-1 decision.

haron

Sharon Obermueller (born June 24, 1984) is a realtor from Olathe, Kansas. She attended Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas and received an associate's degree. She is currently working as a realtor and restaurant hostess. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/sharon/bio.php Sharon's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] She is Jacob's ex-girlfriend and was his "soulmate" until they were the first HouseGuests evicted from the House on Day 3. When Neil left the House on Day 7, Joshuah was given the choice to bring back either Sharon or Jacob as Neil's replacement. He chose Sharon, and she immediately replaced Neil as Joshuah's soulmate. She is the third person to return to the game in the same season after Amy Crews (2002) and Kaysar Ridha (2005). She set a record for surviving four consecutive evictions.

heila

Sheila Kennedy (born April 12, 1962) is a former model from Reseda, California. She has a 16-year-old son named Mick and a dog named Kitty. Her soulmate was Adam. Sheila was the 1983 Penthouse Pet of the Year. She lived in Bob Guccione's mansion for ten years and is in the process of writing a book about her life. [ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/sheila/bio.php Sheila's bio] , "CBS.com". Retrieved 2008-02-06] On Day 63 she won her first Head of Household competition. She celebrated her 46th birthday on Day 66 in the House. She was evicted by Ryan on Day 77 and became the final jury member.

References