Louisiana Resident Makes 'Big Brother' History

In a groundbreaking moment for the hit reality TV show "Big Brother," a 27-year-old Baton Rouge man is set to become the first hearing-impaired contestant in the history of CBS' iconic series.

Matt Klotz, a former student and esteemed swim team member at LSU, hails from Cameron Park, California, and boasts an impressive record as a Deaflympics gold medalist. Additionally, Klotz was part of LSU's 200 Free Relay team, which made waves by shattering the school record at the SEC Championships.

Klotz's TV journey will begin when he joins 15 other houseguests on the much-anticipated 25th season of "Big Brother," scheduled to premiere live at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Audiences can also stream the show live or watch on demand on Paramount+. Throughout the season, fans will have access to a 24/7 live feed, as well as exclusive content featuring the contestants' experiences in the "Big Brother" house, located on a Hollywood studio lot.

For those unfamiliar with the series, "Big Brother" places participants in a unique social experiment where their every move is captured by video cameras placed strategically throughout the house. The contestants must face a series of weekly challenges and, crucially, nominate and vote on their fellow houseguests for eviction each week, adding drama and intrigue to the competition.

The show's airing schedule will consist of three episodes per week. Starting on Sundays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., viewers can follow the contestants' ups and downs. Thursdays, in particular, hold the suspense of the live eviction show at 8 p.m., where one unfortunate houseguest's journey comes to an end.

Julie Chen Moonves, the beloved host of "Big Brother," will be making her much-awaited return to guide the contestants and viewers through the twists and turns of the game. As is customary, the participants will be vying for a substantial prize, with a staggering $750,000 on the line.

According to The Advocate, Louisiana has a proud history of representation on "Big Brother," with notable contestants such as Krista Stegall from Opelousas and Victor Arroyo from Slidell having participated in previous seasons. In a moment of triumph for the state, Tulane student and residence assistant Ian Terry secured victory in 2012, taking home the grand prize of $500,000.

As Matt Klotz takes his place among the latest group of "Big Brother" contestants, he will undoubtedly bring his own unique perspective and strengths to the competition.

See more about Klotz and his attempt to win it all on this season of Big Brother here via The Advocate.