‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves addresses new security measures one year after harrowing on-air abduction

Julie Chen Moonves on ‘Big Brother’ season 27.Credit: CBS

It was the most shocking moment in Big Brother — and some would say reality TV — history. During last season’s July 10 premiere episode, host Julie Chen Moonves was abducted right off the Big Brother stage by an evil entity known simply as… the Mastermind. All that was left was a single high heel, no doubt dislodged after the host put up an epic struggle against her dastardly kidnapper.

Fortunately for both the Chenbot and millions of reality TV fans, disaster was averted as the host was saved thanks to a daring rescue attempt by a minor league baseball player by the name of Zach Cornell.

But even with the host returned safe and sound (and the Mastermind’s lair dramatically blown to smithereens… which was somehow captured on camera), troubling questions remained. How did the Mastermind gain access to the Big Brother studio, and during a taping, no less? Did the nefarious villain (who may or may not have been costumed at Party City) have an accomplice within the Big Brother crew that helped facilitate the abduction? And how did Julie’s hair remain so perfect during what we can only assume was a valiant effort of self-defense?

Sources report to Entertainment Weekly that CBS — the network responsible for this glaring lack of security — launched a full-scale investigation into the matter… only to see the data from that investigation mysteriously wiped from their servers. (Ainsley, perhaps? A pizza and ice-cream fueled Jankie?)

While CBS is publicly presenting confidence as the one-year anniversary of Chen Moonves’ abduction nears, sources tell me the network is on pins and needles as the possible threat of another attack looms for the July 9 season 28 premiere.

EW reached out to Chen Moonves to see how the host was doing one year after her frightening encounter with the reality TV supervillain.

“You know, that’s a trigger for me,” the host says, tightening up at the question. “So I’m just gonna breathe it out right now. I believe that God protects me from bad memories, and I totally forgot about it until you brought it up. But I’m gonna breathe through this one.”

After going through a few calming exercises, the host addressed if she was at all worried about a possible follow-up plot on this week’s premiere episode. “I am not concerned,” she assures EW. “Look, we learned from our mistakes. I’ve been assured that security’s been stepped up. And I haven’t heard boo from the Mastermind. I mean, is he still working on his lair? I don’t know. I feel pretty good. I’m good.”

When asked if additional security measures have been put in place, the host confidently responds, “Absolutely!” And it seems that includes an influx of undercover protectors.

“Here’s the thing,” Chen Moonves continues. “They don’t have to wear a jacket that says ‘Security’ to be my security. I mean, is that the person who does my hair and makeup, or is that security? You don’t wanna find out.”

And we will find out if the host can make it through this year’s premiere without incident when Big Brother 28 kicks off July 9 at 8pmET/PT.