And not only did she survive, she thrived!
How did she do it?
Was she shocked by the result?
Monty Brinton /CBS
Whose vote surprised her the most?
We asked the new champion all that and more just an hour after she stepped out of the house.
(Also double-check toread our exit interview with runner-up Ricky Williams.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First off congratulations.
Its like the best day on top of the best feeling.
Ive been watching this show since Chicken George.
And I cant believe that I was actually blessed to be a part of it, let alone win.
Like, that is crazy to me.
Im telling you right now, it hasnt all settled in yet.
And, as a matter fact, Omarosa told me that.
And Im like, I thought I heard Julie say that, but not really.
Im just freaking out.
I cant believe it.
I cant believe it, I feel like Im in a dream right now.
And were at the finals and you dont know what happens during the finale show?
Im like, Oh my God this is an abomination.
Like what you talking about?
Like, Whats HOH?
How can I use the power of veto?
And Im like, Are you serious?
I want to kick you out of this house right now.
How did you feel about your chances before the votes were revealed?
Youre sitting next to Ricky, Im sure youre doing the jury math in your head.
How are you feeling?You know, when youre watching its totally different than when youre sitting there.
And because I am Tamar and I dont think Im going to win anything because Ive never won anything.
As a matter of fact, I wonBig Brotherbefore I won a Grammy!
[Laughs] Im thinking to myself, Oh, theyre voting for Ricky.
Oh, theyre voting for Ricky.
As kind as I could.
Which jury vote surprised you the most?You know whose vote surprised me?
And thats because before he left the house, he and Ricky really did bond.
And so, I thought that he was going to vote for Rick.
And so Im elated.
I cant believe it.
I just cant believe it.
I didnt think I could beat her.
I didnt think I could beat Kandi, she had a lot of friends in the house.
I didnt think I could beat Lolo.
I mean, when youre in that bubble, you feel like everybodys chances are better than yours.
Especially because, yeah I am Tamar and I am outspoken and sometimes loud with it.
Although, I really did like a lot of people.
I feel like I made lifelong friends.
Im at a loss for words.
I dont even know what Im talking about right now.
I just cant believe Im here as the winner.
Like this is crazy!
Like, what is going on?
Lets say Ricky doesnt bring you to the end.
Lets say he brings Dina or Lolo with him to the end.
How does he do?Against Lolo, he has a better chance at getting more votes.
Basically, Dina was the mama of the house and a lot people respected her.
But she absolutely didnt have any game play, really.
Just forBig Brotherfans, it just means that Im not voting for you.
Because I wouldnt have.
I wouldve voted for Ricky because he did win three HOHs and he couldve won at the end.
And, two Vetoes, especially when it counted.
If he brought Lolo, who do you vote for then?
Ricky?Oh for sure, I wouldve voted for Ricky.
[Laughs] So, for me, I was really nervous.
But, then again, I really had some good moments with everyone in the house.
After Kato made his statement, I went up to Kato and we had a heart to heart.
As a matter of fact, we have a date coming up.
I felt like I made a good connection with Ryan and Jonathan as well.
What about your whole arc with Kandi?
But then you guys got it back.Yeah, we got it back because we wanted it.
We wanted to make amends more than we wanted to fight and thats for the both of us.
I just think thats a testament to life.
Youve got to work at it.
And we constantly worked at our relationship in the house.
But, in the end Im really grateful that she was there.
Youve been watching this show for 19 years.
I just couldnt believe it.
Im like, Okay, we have to segregate this bathroom.
You mean Im going to take a shower next to Tom Green and Kato and Ricky?!
Like, that cant work.
And sharing a toilet room with the boys.
Whod you end up getting closest to?
Weve had some magical conversations about life, about astrology, about being positive and the future.
And, Im grateful for him and Im grateful he took me to the end.
Ricky is a great guy and Ill be his sister for life.
I was calling him my brother like a week ago.
And, I called him my brother because we were able to reach each other on a different level.
On a brother, sister, Ive known you forever, level.
Okay, tell me about this house youre going to buy.Well, right now, Im in an apartment.
I dont even know if Im divorced.
[Calls out to the room] Does anybody know?
PERSON WITH TAMAR ANSWERS: No, youre not.
And, unfortunately not really in my favor.
But, Im grateful for the person that Ive become from all the hardships that Ive been through.
And the growth that I have received from all the changes that has been made.
And so my son and I are going to be moving to a house.
Because we do live in an apartment and thats nothing that Im ashamed of.
Sometimes youve just got to start over to start right.
