by Gina Scarpa

Who would've thought that not only would Rachel win Big Brother this season but that fans of the show would be happy about it? There was no doubt she'd be a competitor and no doubt she'd have a target on her back, but she realized that in order to walk away with half a million dollars, she'd have to be willing to change her strategy as the game went on. Today, we talked to Rachel in an exclusive interview about winning season 13 of Big Brother!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you and Brendon got the call to come play Big Brother a second time, was there any hesitation or were you both game right away?
A. Rachel: Oh my gosh, I was game from the beginning but of course, I was hesitant because how I was in season 12 and how it turned out. It was a really hard season. I was like, "Let's go back, let's see what happens. Maybe we can change our game, maybe we'll get farther." Brendon was hesitant. He has a phD to work on. We didn't make it far in season 12, we didn't have an alliance, but season 13 was so fun to be on. I had an alliance. It wasn't just Brendon and I fighting against the house. We evolved as gameplayers.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was really great to see the friendship that developed between you and Jordan. Did you ever think the two of you would become so close?
A. Rachel: No. It's really funny because Jordan is going to be one of my closest friends for the rest of my life. In the beginning, she was like, "Oh no, I can't believe we're gonna be in the house with Rachel." I didn't think Jeff and Jordan were going to work with us. Daniele did her little anti-veteran alliance thing. We were sticking with Jeff and Jordan and that was it. I think that's when our friendship really evolved and took root. When Brendon and Jeff left, our friendship blossomed.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was clear on the finale that Jeff and Daniele are not fans of each other. Where do you stand with her?
A. Rachel: I think Daniele... as far as gameplay, I think she would've been a great player. She turned on us too soon and she didn't play as much as she should've. She really made a lot of mistakes. Who knows? A year from now, we could be best friends. Look at Ragan! He's going to be in my wedding. It's so different when you're outside of the house. I think Daniele and I are not going to be enemies forever. I don't know if we're going to be friends but we'll have to see.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to make a final two deal with Porsche, instead of Adam?
A. Rachel: I think that, at the end of the summer, I had to start thinking very strategically. Adam, Shelly, Porsche, and Kalia started to make final four deals. Obviously, Jordan and I had a final two deal and we would've taken each other 100% but it didn't work out that way but we had to start making very strategic decisions. We had to win HOH and get the power back, pull people aside, and fight to stay in this game. I won the HOH and I was like, "We can keep Kalia or Porsche." I thought keeping Porsche would keep a player on my side. When I made that final two deal, she won the Veto and I knew one of us was going to get evicted and Porsche and I made that deal. I took her from five to four, she took me from four to three, and I thought I needed to honor that deal. It was risky because I almost didn't win! I thought I had enough confidence in my gameplay, I had won more than anyone else, I was a huge target - my social game, eh. Probably not the best. I had to evolve as a player and I thought the other members of the jury would respect me. I'm shocked Adam didn't vote for me. That could've changed the whole outcome. Taking Porsche to the end, she deserved it, she won the 2nd half of the HOH, and she fought to be there.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You had a lot of people rooting for you and happy that you won. You were worried about how people felt about you after season 12 and how you'd be viewed this summer. Do you feel like you changed people's minds about you?
A. Rachel: Yes! It's crazy because I had no idea how America was seeing me. It did definitely change and I am shocked and thankful. I was really scared. I thought people loved to hate me. This summer, I had people cheering for me! I was like, "I'm not used to this. This is crazy!" It's exciting and surreal. I'm so happy. After Brendon left, I had to change and evolve and grow up. Jordan helped me so much with my social game and we really balanced each other out. Thank God for Jordan - that's all I have to say!

(Image courtesy of CBS)

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