Big Brother is set to premiere its 26th season with a unique twist - the introduction of a lifesize AI hologram of host Julie Chen Moonves. The holographic twin will be featured in the Big Brother house, housed in a 7-foot hologram projection box equipped with cameras, sensors, microphones, and other electronics.
While the exact role of the hologram in the reality competition show is yet to be revealed, it has been showcased adeptly delivering Chen Moonves' iconic catchphrase, 'but first...'. The season's theme is 'Big Brother artificial intelligence' or 'BB AI', promising jaw-dropping surprises for the houseguests.
Big Brother is a long-running CBS show that follows a group of strangers living together in an isolated house, with their interactions recorded 24/7 by numerous cameras and microphones. Each week, houseguests vote to eliminate one another, with the last remaining contestant winning a grand prize of $750,000.
This season's house features a futuristic design in line with the AI theme, including a math-themed lounge. The holographic twin of Chen Moonves is created by Proto Hologram, a company specializing in interactive holographic experiences across various sectors.
The hologram is produced by filming the subject for about three minutes using a 4K camera and a light source, capturing their voice tone, cadence, and movements. The result is a lifelike digital doppelganger capable of interacting via text or conversation.
Celebrities like William Shatner, Elton John, and Patrick Dempsey have previously appeared as holograms created by Proto Hologram. This season of Big Brother will introduce 16 diverse houseguests, ranging from a U.S. Marines Corps veteran to a crochet business owner.
For the first time in the show's history, viewers will have the opportunity to vote in a 17th guest to join the competition. The season premiere will air over two nights, allowing fans to get acquainted with the contestants and witness the unique dynamics between the houseguests and the holographic twin of Julie Chen Moonves.
