“Big Brother” Houseguest Christie Valdiserri Tests Positive for COVID-19, Replaced Before Premiere by Claire Rehfuss

Christie Valdiserri, a professional dancer, tested positive for COVID-19, but has “no idea” how she contracted it, according to a video she posted to the Big Brother Instagram account.

Valdiserri was vaccinated and says she’s been following all the guidelines, “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.”

The 27-year-old Philadelphia native goes on to say,” 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.”

Valdiserri suffers from Alopecia areata, a medical condition that causes hair loss, a condition that can’t be cured, and has no other symptoms.

Valdiserri is being replaced by Claire Rehfuss, a 25-year-old AI engineer from Chagrin Falls, OH. She plans to “try to get out the strong alpha dudes early.”