Playing Big Brother is no small feat. Being locked away from the outside world with no technology, no contact from anyone outside the house and seeing the same people for 30 to 90 days, eating slop, and all the lying and fighting can take a toll on someone's mental health. That's why some contestants chose to leave the Big Brother house on their own before they even got to eviction night. Although some contestants just couldn't take the pressure, others left because of health problems, etc. And some contestants considered leaving when a relative at home passed away while they were inside the house.
Most recently, Chris Kattan willingly left the Celebrity Big Brother house on a whim without even being put up on the block. Along with Chris Kattan, here are six other contestants who left the Big Brother house before eviction night.
7 Chris Kattan Quit 'Celebrity Big Brother 3'
Chris Kattan was a fan favorite on this season of Celebrity Big Brother. He was on the block the week prior to leaving and asked his house guests to vote him out, but he did not receive one vote against him.
Kattan talked to US Weekly about why he left. “It was a lot of fun, but it was hard. At some point, it just became hard not to talk to family. And for me, it became hard to be disconnected to the outside world. I don’t think I was so ready [or] realized what that felt like when you have cameras on you 24/7, except for when you’re going to use the bidet. That’s really it. I didn’t realize how much I missed my family and friends and my loved ones and girlfriend," he said.
6 'Evel' Dick Donato Left Early Season 13
Sometimes health gets in the way of a contestant's game. "Evel" Dick Donato was a contestant on season 8, which he won and again on season 13. He was brought back along with five other former houseguests to play in pairs. Donato was paired with his estranged daughter, Dani, who was the runner-up on season 8. Not even a week into the game, the Big Brother villain left the house. And although at the time, it was thought to be a family reason, news broke later that he had tested positive for HIV and needed to seek treatment.
5 Megan Lowder Quit During Season 19
Sometimes your mental health is more important than a game. Megan Lowder was a contestant on season 19. Only a few weeks in and Lowder was put up on the block. She began to experience a lot of anxiety about it and then when she got into a fight with another houseguest who raised their voice, it triggered her PTSD from being sexually assaulted while in the navy, so she decided to leave the game.
4 Anthony Scaramucci Left 'Celebrity Big Brother 2'
Anthony Scaramucci, Former White House Director of Communications, was a contestant on season 2 of Celebrity Big Brother. Or was he? The show claimed he was a fake houseguest and was that season's twist. After being put up on the block the first week, he left before the live feeds were even turned on, which made many fans question why. Scaramucci was met with a whirlwind of press before entering the house and maybe just couldn't handle the pressure. We'll never know for sure.
3 Neil Garcia Left Season 9
Neil Garcia was a contestant on season 9 and was the first ever houseguest to leave the game voluntarily. He was called to the Diary Room one day, was given some news by producers and never came back due to an unspecified personal issue. Some thought a relative might have passed away. He is not really remembered by many fans, as he didn't spend much time in the house. Due to that season being one where contestants were matched with partners, Garcia's partner, Joshuah had to pick a different partner.
2 Paola Aviles Disappeared During Season 12
You probably don't remember Paola Aviles and that is because she walked away from the game before she even got into the house. Apparently, she couldn't handle sequester, which is where contestants are secluded before the show starts. Fans never got to know her, but it was later made public that she was supposed to be on the cast of season 12.
1 Audrey Middleton Quit Playing During Season 17
While she technically did not leave the house on her own, Audrey Middleton did withdraw from the game. She made history by being the first ever transgender houseguest. In week 4, Audrey Middleton had a meltdown after being put up on the block. Middleton disappeared in the Diary Room for hours, then walked around with a blanket on her head for hours and did not follow the rules of being a Have-Not. She refused to participate in the Veto competition and essentially quit playing. She was evicted that week.