Makensy Manbeck, a 22-year-old contestant on “Big Brother 26,” made an interesting decision during the finale that some are calling a $750,000 mistake. After winning the final HOH competition, Makensy had to choose between taking Chelsie, who had manipulated her throughout the game, or Cam, who did not have a strong resume. Despite Cam being the easier person to beat, Makensy chose to take Chelsie to the final two. Chelsie ended up winning with a unanimous 7-0 vote, but Makensy stands by her decision, stating that she played the game she wanted to play and is okay with coming in second to an amazing player.
Makensy admits that she was aware of the implications of choosing to take Chelsie over Cam. She acknowledges that perhaps she could have had a better chance of winning against Cam, but she believes that her decision was a testament to the game she wanted to play. Makensy credits Chelsie for helping her stay in the game and recognizes that without Chelsie’s manipulation, she may not have made it as far as she did. Despite the outcome, Makensy has no regrets about her decision.
During the jury Q&A portion of the finale, Makensy realized that things were not going in her favor when Chelsie did not hold back in her answers. Chelsie revealed that she had persuaded Makensy to make certain moves, including taking Leah out, and also exposed Makensy’s true feelings towards other contestants. After reflecting on this moment, Makensy acknowledges that she should have thought more about how to portray her game to the jury. She admits that she is not one to manipulate or speak negatively about others in order to win, and ultimately wanted to leave the game respecting herself.
Makensy’s decision to take Chelsie to the final two may have cost her the win, as Chelsie was able to effectively convey her game to the jury and paint Makensy in a negative light. Makensy recognizes Chelsie’s skill in playing the game and understands that different strategies can lead to victory. While some may view Makensy’s decision as a mistake, she remains steadfast in her belief that she played the game she wanted to play and has no regrets about how she conducted herself in the game. Ultimately, Makensy’s respect for herself and her integrity were more important to her than winning the grand prize.
