Taylor Hale has sparked speculation about a possible returnee season of Big Brother by naming Michael Bruner as her top pick for a hypothetical comeback. Hale, who won Big Brother Season 24 and now hosts BB: Unlocked, reportedly mentioned Bruner in a now-deleted Instagram Stories post that was reshared on X. Bruner played alongside Hale in Season 24, the same season in which Hale became the first Black woman to win the flagship CBS reality series.
Bruner’s name is drawing attention because of the strong competitive game he showed during Season 24. He was one of the season’s most dominant players, winning multiple competitions and setting a single-season record for wins before later being surpassed. His run was cut short after a veto competition malfunction during a double eviction led to his exit from the house. Even so, many fans still remember him as one of the most strategic and forceful competitors of that season.
The discussion comes as fans increasingly wonder whether Big Brother Season 28 will feature returning houseguests. Speculation has grown in part because of comments and social media posts tied to host Julie Chen Moonves, which some viewers have interpreted as hints that veterans could be involved. The idea does not seem far-fetched, especially since CBS has already leaned into reality TV nostalgia in recent years.
Recent seasons of Big Brother have included returning players, most notably Season 13 winner Rachel Reilly. CBS has also used former Big Brother contestants in other reality formats, including an Amazing Race season built entirely around past houseguests. More broadly, reality television has increasingly embraced all-star and legacy casts, with shows like The Traitors often featuring familiar faces from other series.
That trend makes the possibility of a returnee-heavy Big Brother season feel realistic, and many fans are already debating which former players should come back. Bruner is an appealing choice because he combined competition strength with a memorable personality, and his game left viewers imagining what he might have accomplished with a different endgame. Some fans believe he could have been nearly unstoppable if he had returned under different house dynamics or with modern twists such as the BB Blockbuster format.
Whether or not CBS confirms a veteran-heavy cast, Season 28 is already generating buzz. The premiere is scheduled for July 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, and the show is expected to reveal more about its casting plans before launch. If the season does include returnees, Bruner would likely be one of the most talked-about names on the list. For now, Hale’s endorsement has only added fuel to the speculation and reminded fans why Michael Bruner remains one of the most memorable competitors from recent Big Brother history.
