Ashley Hollis isn’t your typical reality show contestant looking to replicate the strategy of a former champion in Big Brother. Instead, she has drawn inspiration from the spirited resilience of two fictional powerhouses: Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Hilary Banks.
“Both are intelligent women who often go underestimated,” Ashley, 25, shared with Us Weekly on Sunday, September 28, reflecting on her distinctive approach that ultimately led to her victory in season 27. “They strategically hold back some of their strengths, maintaining an air of lightheartedness that makes them well-liked.”
She elaborated on how, despite their charm, both characters sometimes ruffle feathers, a tactic she cleverly utilized in the game.
“In the realm of Big Brother, these characters are not seen as threats,” Ashley added. “Some contestants may have a beef with this person, giving them just the right amount of cover to stay in the game.”
She pointed out that this strategy was especially relevant concerning fellow housemate Cliffton “Will” Williams. His popularity meant that the other players opted to keep Ashley around instead of him, as they feared his deserved reputation would outshine them at the finale.
“He was incredibly well-liked, so when we found ourselves on the chopping block next to each other, that provided an opportunity for others to make a move against him,” Ashley explained. “This informed my decision to play right down the middle, and embodying Hilary Banks and Elle Woods seemed like the perfect strategy.”
Ashley’s ascent to becoming a Big Brother champion was fraught with challenges right from the get-go. The lawyer, who kept her profession under wraps for most of the season, was targeted in the initial week following an ill-timed extra-long shower.
Reflecting on her rocky start, she admitted, “Initially, my social game was in shambles. Being on the block during the first week felt like I had the plague—nobody wanted to associate with me, and that limited my options. I had to work incredibly hard just to recover from that setback.”
Winning the first Power of Veto was crucial, enabling Ashley to stick to her original game plan and cultivate alliances. “Whenever I sensed a flaw in someone else’s relationship, I was ready with my crowbar to pry it open and insert myself,” she said. “I managed to build connections and utilized others as shields to safeguard my gameplay.”
Ashley found herself competing against Vince Panaro in the finale—the very contestant who had attempted to evict her in the first week.
“It felt like poetic justice,” she remarked. “He was the initial Head of Household, attempting to boot me, yet I ended up choosing him as my final two partner—not because I liked him, but rather to secure my own win.” Her victory involved claiming that last Head of Household title against someone who had previously tried to oust her. “There was nothing sweeter than that.”
Nevertheless, Ashley holds no grudges against Vince, admitting that her feelings grew more favorable as the season progressed. “I genuinely liked Vince throughout the game; he is a good person,” she concluded. “I just didn’t quite grasp his approach to managing dreams and generating false hope among others.”
