Taylor Hale Is Ready to Take on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test

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Okay, so Taylor Hale is seriously a queen – literally! Before Big Brother 24, she’d already snagged both Miss Michigan USA and Miss Congeniality at Miss USA 2021. Honestly, it was a bit of a target on her back in the Big Brother house – some of the other players were really mean to her for having that pageant background, like she was trying too hard. But she totally powered through all the negativity and, after being at the very bottom for a while, she made history! She became the first Black woman to win Big Brother, and she also won America’s Favorite Player – a total sweep! It was so satisfying to watch her overcome all that hate and just dominate.

Since appearing on Big Brother, CBS has consistently found ways to feature Janelle Pierzina. Last year, she hosted a Big Brother recap show during prime time, returned to host the Grammy’s red carpet for a second time, and even competed on The Amazing Race. Despite rubbing elbows with stars like Lady Gaga and Doechii, Janelle is still a true reality TV enthusiast, and her love for the genre is a major reason why fans adore her.

It felt like I’d really ‘made it’ when Julie Chen announced on the live finale that I’d won America’s Favorite Player. That’s when it hit me – the public was really connecting with me!

Winning America’s Favorite Player meant a lot to me. Being cut off from the outside world in the Big Brother house makes it hard to know how people are seeing you, and as a Black woman, that can be especially tricky. So, to be genuinely seen, understood, and accepted for exactly who I am – even at my most unfiltered and silly – was an incredible feeling.

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So, what did I spend my first paycheck on? Well, first things first, you have to pay taxes! I definitely didn’t want to end up in the news! But my big purchase was an electric Mustang – and I still drive it! It was actually stolen once, right out of my parking spot, but I managed to get it back and repair it, all with money from that first paycheck.

If I had to pick five words to describe how I come across on screen, I’d say contradictory, polished, vulnerable, intense, and competitive.

People often ask me about my most memorable on-screen moment, and honestly, while I’ve done a lot of reality TV, I’d have to say it was hosting the Grammys. That was a huge deal for me, definitely the peak of my career so far.

If I could change one thing I did in a movie or show, it would be a particular intimate scene. It’s a bit of a personal moment, but some viewers will understand what I mean.

If I could trade places with anyone on reality TV at this moment, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to put someone who’s doing great into a worse situation. However, I’m really impressed with Ciara Miller and Olandria and enjoy watching them succeed.

Someone calling me out as a ‘nemesis’ implies we’re equals, and honestly, I don’t view it that way. No offense.

It’s rare to find a reality TV star who’s truly authentic, but I admire the original cast members from shows like Big Brother – people like Sandra and Janelle – and Darrell from The Challenge. I especially appreciate the early Challenge contestants because many of them started on The Real World, and they always seemed genuine onscreen. They were consistently themselves, and that’s refreshing.

Dr. Will is surprisingly different from how he acts on TV. He’s a really great guy to be around, but his on-screen personality is a bit over-the-top and silly.

Does every successful reality TV show need someone to play the bad guy? It seems like the core idea behind reality TV – from early shows like The Real World, Big Brother, and Survivor – is to bring together people with different backgrounds and see how they interact. With that kind of setup, disagreements and conflict are inevitable, and that’s often what makes the show interesting to watch.

It’s hard to label someone the ‘villain’ on Big Brother. Simply being unlikeable isn’t enough – a good villain is complex and interesting, with some redeeming qualities. Many players are just consistently unpleasant, but that doesn’t make them a compelling villain. Paul Abrahamian, for example, often stirs up trouble, but he’s also generally well-liked and fun to be around.

People often ask what I miss about life before getting any recognition. Honestly, I don’t really miss it. I don’t even consider myself famous – just important to a small group of people, which is perfect. I feel like I have a good balance, and I’ve managed to keep my old friends, so it’s the best of both worlds – like having Hannah Montana and a normal life.

My advice for anyone wanting to be on reality TV? Don’t try to be a reality TV star. Just be yourself, and let the TV show be a part of that. The most memorable people on reality TV are authentic – they’re the same person at the beginning and the end. If you go on with a plan to play a role, it will likely fail. Honesty and being genuine are key.

As a huge film and TV fan, I’ve always been fascinated by what people bring to on-screen roles after unique experiences. When I was on Big Brother, I quickly learned I had to be completely open and honest to connect with the audience – really show who I am. That experience taught me how to be vulnerable, genuinely curious about others, and handle myself with grace. Honestly, those skills translate perfectly to hosting! I think they make me a really good interviewer – I can ask the right questions and create a comfortable space where people feel truly seen and can share their stories authentically.

I’d jump at the chance to be on The Traitors or Dancing With the Stars. I think Special Forces would be a really fascinating experience, too. After surviving 90 days in the Big Brother house, I feel like I could handle any intense training. Honestly, Big Brother was the hardest thing I’ve ever done – I don’t think anything else could challenge me as much.

It’s a tough choice, but would you prefer to be a Traitor or a Faithful player? I’m not very good at strategy games, so I’d probably be more effective as a Faithful, but I think being a Traitor would be way more enjoyable.

If I could bring anyone with me into the Traitors’ castle, I’d choose Nene Leakes and Tiffany Pollard. Honestly, I’d love an all-women season – no guys allowed!

I’ve been thinking a lot about how people see me, and how that relates to who I actually am. Now, when I take on roles or appear publicly, it feels like a constant balancing act. Some days it flows naturally, other days it feels…off. But I’ve realized complaining about the downsides isn’t the answer. Instead, I’m trying to approach it like a scientist – constantly experimenting. Scientists fail all the time, and that’s okay! Failure isn’t something to be afraid of; it’s just a way to learn and get closer to the real deal. It’s about putting yourself out there, stumbling sometimes, and having the strength to keep going.

It can be intimidating for women to be online, and that’s understandable. Remember to believe in yourself and trust your instincts. It’s okay to consider feedback, but don’t let negativity discourage you. Be kind to yourself and allow room for personal growth – you’ve got this!

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2026-05-06 16:06