Big Brother is watching you… or at least this was true for QUEST alum Derek Xiao this past summer during his experience on the national television show on CBS, Big Brother. Big Brother is a televised competition and reality television show based off of the concept in George Orwell’s novel, 1984, and the concept of “Big Brother.” Your average person is chosen to live in a house for a summer and participate in a variety of competitions to win power and advantages throughout the game, going through possible elimination as the show goes on. The house guests are constantly watched by “Big Brother” and under the decisions of the voice. There is a grand prize of $500,000 for the winner of the season. The game challenges people not only physically, but social skills are essential to winning the game.

Derek Xiao (Cohort 28)

Derek Xiao was a member of Cohort 28 of QUEST, studying Finance in the Robert H. Smith School of Business and graduating in 2019. After QUEST, he has clearly gone on to do big things. He played a great game in the house. He won many competitions, allowing him to make major strategic moves. He was the 7th person evicted from the house on day 51 of 85 and was able to serve on the jury, making decisions post living under the isolation of the house.

While playing a successful game himself, he also made relationships outside of spending time playing the competition. Big Brother fans love the concepts of “showmances,” romantic relationships between houseguests. Xiao found himself in a showmance with fellow houseguest, Claire Rehfuss. They made their relationship official once leaving the show and currently share their relationship through social media.

Xiao’s strong game wasn’t just shown through how long he made it in the house and the game, but also through America’s opinion as well. He was a fan favorite, voted runner-up by America for their favorite houseguest. Post show, he has started developing an apparel brand. Xiao remains active and interactive with his fans through social media, with 160,000 followers on Instagram and making YouTube videos with over 3,000 subscribers.

As for his motives for going on the show, Xiao shared through an Instagram post, “I came on Big Brother so that I could be a representative for Asian Americans that I didn’t have growing up.”