From Mastermind to Maybe Not? Why One Reality TV Legend Almost Stayed Retired

When you dominate “Big Brother” the way Derrick Levasseur did in Season 16, people just assume you’ll be back for more. But after his near-flawless win in 2014, he didn’t return for “All-Stars,” didn’t pop up on any spin-offs, and generally kept his distance from the reality TV world. Turns out, that was very much on purpose.

Fast forward ten years, and Levasseur finally made his reality TV comeback on “The Traitors” Season 3. But it almost didn’t happen; here’s why.

Why Derrick Almost Said No

Since his “Big Brother” win, Levasseur’s been busy: raising two daughters, writing a book called “The Undercover Edge,” and working as a private investigator. Reality TV? Not exactly on his radar. And truth be told, he had good reasons to stay away.

For starters, “Big Brother” is brutal. Living under 24/7 surveillance (those live feeds, anyone?), getting every move dissected by fans, and dealing with the chaos of social media after the fact? Not exactly appealing when you’ve already won the game. Levasseur has also been vocal about prioritizing his family, and diving back into a momentous reality show wasn’t something he took lightly.

Plus, reality TV has changed a lot since 2014. Social media is even more intense, and the pressure on contestants is higher than ever. So, when “The Traitors” came knocking, he wasn’t exactly jumping to say yes. 

What Changed His Mind?

So, why “The Traitors?” Simple; it’s a different kind of game. Unlike “Big Brother,” where you have to juggle physical comps, alliances, and house dynamics for months, “The Traitors” is all about deception, deduction, and strategy. And if there’s one thing Levasseur is good at, it’s strategy. He said, “I truly believe people didn’t think I’d ever be back on reality TV,” per his hometown newspaper, The Providence Journal.

Then there was Cody Calafiore (his fellow “Big Brother” winner and close friend) who played in “The Traitors” Season 1 and had nothing but good things to tell. Levasseur went on to say, “I saw how good of an experience he had — he loved the show and just the design of the show itself. It seemed like something that would be challenging, but still a lot of fun.” Hearing from someone he trusted seems to have made a huge difference. Add in the fact that “The Traitors” isn’t a 24/7 live feed situation (so, less of that constant scrutiny), and suddenly, the idea became a lot more appealing.

Ultimately, it looks like Levasseur saw “The Traitors” as a fresh challenge; something different from “Big Brother” but still right up his alley. And after a decade away, it was the right time for a comeback. The question remains, will he stay in the spotlight now that he’s returned or is this the end of Derrick Levasseur’s reality TV stint? Only time will tell.