Big Brother crowned houseguest Steve Moses its seventeenth-season champion during Wednesday night's live broadcast of the CBS reality competition's finale.

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"Winning wasn't one of the possibilities when I came here. I was kind of hoping not to be one of the first two out," Steve told Big Brother host Julie Chen when asked what he's going to do with the $500,000.

"So I have absolutely no idea. Probably saving and being smart with it."

After a record-breaking 98 days in the Big Brother house, Steve, a 22-year-old college student from Gouverneur, NY, took home Season 17's grand prize via a 6-3 jury vote over fellow houseguest Liz Nolan, a 23-year-old marketing coordinator from Miami, FL.

Liz received $50,000 for finishing in the runner-up spot. Vanessa Rousso, a 32-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas, NV, placed third.

Steve received jury votes from the following previously-evicted Big Brother houseguests: Jackie Ibarra, Becky Burgess, James Huling, John McGuire, Meg Maley and Shelli Poole. Liz earned votes from her twin sister Julia Nolan, her boyfriend Austin Matelson and her good friend Vanessa.

After Steve's victory was announced near the end of the 90-minute broadcast, Julie also revealed James, a 31-year-old retail associate from Sumter, SC who currently resides in Wichita Falls, TX, had won the title of "America's Favorite Houseguest" and will therefore receive $25,000. John and Jason Roy were also in the running for this honor.

Wednesday night's Big Brother finale episode began where Sunday night's broadcast left off, with Steve, Liz and Vanessa competing in the first part of the final Head of Household competition. They had to sit on giant apples and hold on for as long as possible in what appeared to be a very exhausting endurance challenge. Steve dropped out after three hours.

Vanessa then insisted to Liz she could stay on the ball forever if she needed to -- that she wasn't tired at all. Liz's muscles on the flipside were shaky and weak. Liz therefore asked Vanessa to promise her the Final 2 if she quit the competition, and Vanessa replied, "I promise." Vanessa outlasted Liz and won Part 1.

Steve and Liz then competed against one another in Part 2. Dubbed "Colossal Crossword," the two houseguests were required to complete a massive crossword puzzle using clues from this season. Steve felt he had an automatic advantage because he's naturally amazing at puzzles and felt right at home. Steve finished with a time of 28:27, while Liz completed the puzzle in 31 minutes and 11 seconds. As a result, Steve won Part 2.

Vanessa was convinced Steve would take her to the Final 2 with him if he won HoH, but she still felt she needed to win it for herself.

Meanwhile, the eight jurors were discussing which of the players left should win the game. Austin was very bitter about Vanessa, his closest ally in the game next to Liz, kicking him out without shoes and blindsiding him. Austin was also mad at Liz for trusting Vanessa again, which he discovered once John McGuire entered the jury house.

John accused Liz of riding Austin's coattails to the end although Meg was her biggest advocate and fan. Shelli supported Vanessa's fierce work ethic, but Becky hated how dirty Vanessa played by swearing on the gay community, her family, etc.

Shelli pointed out how Steve purposely threw challenges to appear less of a threat and then started winning when he needed to. John and Julia, however, thought Steve lacked courage too often and hid behind some stronger players.

Getting back to the game, the final part of the HoH competition was called "Scales Of Just Us." Steve and Vanessa had to show how well they knew Season 17's jury members by completing the second half of statements they made while in the jury house. The first person to achieve five correct statements would win Head of Household, and that person turned out to be Steve.

At the eviction ceremony, Steve chose to send Vanessa packing, a big move that he believed was best for his game.

"Vanessa, across 17 seasons of this game, I am thoroughly convinced that you are the strongest female player this game has ever seen. Your strategy has been beyond brilliant, you're such a talker, you're so charismatic. I, as a fan, so admire everything about your game and I know you can talk your way in with that jury," Steve explained.

"You always told me I had to make the move I could justify to the Super Fans and my family, and I can't justify taking the stronger player with me [to the end]. I'm so sorry, Vanessa, to do what you did to Austin, but I have to evict you. I'm so sorry, Vanessa."

Vanessa assured Steve it was okay and congratulated him on having a good game. She also hugged Liz. Once Vanessa left the house, a thrilled Liz thanked Steve repeatedly because she needed the prize money badly.

In her post-eviction interview with Julie, Vanessa noted it wasn't a shock Steve had decided to get rid of her. In fact, Vanessa confessed she would've ousted Steve as well before the Final 2 if given the opportunity.

When it became time for some interrogation to determine this season's champion, Vanessa and the rest of the jury had to agree upon three questions to ask both Steve and Liz.

John asked Steve to prove him wrong in his belief that Steve shadowed himself and Vanessa for most of the game. Steve claimed he always made his own decisions in the game and never relied on anyone. Steve called out his particular moves of getting out Jackie as well as splitting up Austin and the twins.

Liz had to come up with what strategy and big move were her own -- not under Austin's influence. Liz stumbled a bit on these two answers and just insisted she campaigned hard and found it difficult to remove the twins' target from her back.

James asked Steve why he deserved the money when he floated his way through the first half of the game. Steve disagreed whole-heartedly, saying he fought his way off the chopping block in the first two weeks of the game alone. Steve explained he was constantly building layers of protection around him by forming new, strong connections along the way. He also won four Head of Household competitions.

Liz told the jury that in addition to winning many competitions -- two HoHs, a Power of Veto, and a Battle of the Block -- she aligned with strong competitors in the house whose alliance was tough to breach. Austin and Julia seemed a little disappointed Liz wasn't owning her game more, that she credited them too much for her success.

Steve's arguments were well thought out and he spoke with conviction. Liz, on the other hand, offered up little evidence as to why her individual game trumped Steve's. She threw out generalities, like, "I worked really hard," instead of facts or good points.

Steve made massive speeches about his impactful moves and strategic thinking all season long. He could barely get a breath in between his persuasive rants, which appeared to sincerely impress the jury, especially those questioning his merit.




About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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