'Big Brother' Contestant Exits Show Ahead of Season 23 - Here's Why (Plus, Meet Her Replacement)

A major change has happened to the Big Brother contestant lineup for season 23 just days before the show’s premiere.

One of the contestants, who were announced last week, has stepped away from the show and been replaced.

Click inside to find out who and why…

Contestant Christie Valdiserri, 27, was supposed to compete on the season, kicking off this Wednesday (July 7). However, she is now being replaced by a new contestant named Claire Rehfuss.

The professional dancer revealed in a video that she tested positive for COVID-19, despite being vaccinated and taking precautions.

“I have the vaccine and I’ve been following all the guidelines up until this point,” she said in the video. “I have absolutely no symptoms. I feel perfectly fine, so I’m really grateful for that. But it’s really frustrating because I won’t be playing in Big Brother this summer.”

She added, “I just have to say that when you’re faced with adversity, just telling myself it’s for a bigger reason and I want to believe that. I don’t know the reason yet. I’ve had a roller coaster of emotions the last 48 hours and as I’ve been reading through all the comments online, whether they’re good or bad, I just have to say, I put myself out there and shared this vulnerability of being bald and all the comments, good or bad, are affecting everybody else that also is bald, and experiences this vulnerability.”

Meet all the other contestants competing on Big Brother this season.

Her replacement, Claire, is a 25-year-old AI engineer.

See Christie‘s video message below and see some modeling photos of hers in the gallery.