Entertainment

Youth Triumphs In 'Big Brother'

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

September 30, 2000 / 3:29 PM EDT / CBS

"I am awestruck. I did not expect to win."

With those words, Eddie took his first steps out of the Big Brother house where he's been shut up with other contestants in the CBS reality show, and began getting used to his new status as the winner who outlasted them all.

Ten people settled in to the Big Brother house three months ago back when the show began, and of the bunch, Eddie was the youngest.

It was a very long haul, with forced companionship, shifting relationships, and perhaps worst of all, 28 cameras and 60 microphones recording nearly every move and sound the Big Brother houseguests made.

He was always determined to win but when he really did, the 21-year-old from Manhasset, New York, was so surprised that at first, he didn't even understand the words when CBS's Julie Chen made the announcement.

Eddie, believing his housemate Josh was the winner, turned to Josh and gave him a congratulatory embrace.

But then Josh's family emerged from the Big Brother house Red Room, and there were excited hugs all around for the big reunion as they were escorted out the door.

Eddie just sat silently on the couch, trying to take it all in, reading the letter that declared him the winner.

Finally realizing the truth, he told Chen: "It's wild. My heart is pumping like you wouldn't believe. I have to remind myself to breathe...Honestly, I thought it was going to be Josh."

What's he going to do with the $500,000 in prize money?

That's a no-brainer for the University of Texas student.

He's heading home to Long Island, New York, where he plans to have a long discussion with a nephew about his education and put the money away.

As a cancer survivor, Eddie's won battles a good deal more important than this one.

But he certainly does plan to celebrate this latest triumph and friends, relatives and retailers may live it up right along with him.

Asked what extravagances are in his future, Eddie says he's "going to look forward to having a great holiday season."