Julie Chen Moonves, an acclaimed American television personality and CBS producer, has been the iconic host of the U.S. version of Big Brother since its premiere in July 2000.
However, her longstanding role faced controversy during Big Brother 26, when she was accused of manipulating producers and misleading fans to heighten drama and engagement in the season.
Julie Suzanne Chen Moonves was born on January 6, 1970, in Queens, New York City, to parents Wang Ling Chen and David Chen. She grew up alongside her two sisters, Gladys and Victoria.
Her maternal grandfather, Lou Gaw Tong, amassed significant wealth through a successful chain of grocery stores. However, his personal life drew attention due to his polygamous relationships; he had nine wives and eleven children.
Julie has been a prominent television presenter since 1990, captivating audiences with her enduring presence.
A graduate of the University of Southern California, she holds broadcast journalism and English degrees, laying the foundation for her distinguished career.
Her journey began before graduation, with an internship at CBS Morning News and a stint as a desk assistant at ABC NewsOne. Eager to hone her skills, she relocated to Dayton, Ohio, where she worked as a local news reporter for WDTN-TV from 1995 to 1997.
However, her path was not without obstacles. Her news director in Dayton callously told her she could never become a news anchor because of her “Asian eyes.”
Refusing to let prejudice dictate her future, Chen made the difficult decision to undergo surgery to reduce her epicanthic folds, a choice she later acknowledged with candor and regret.
Undeterred, she pressed forward, joining the CBS Morning News anchoring team in 1999 and rising to co-host The Early Show in 2002.
Julie Chen Moonves Pregnancy: Big Brother Host Sparks Baby Bump Speculation
Despite persistent rumors, Julie Chen has never publicly confirmed her second pregnancy. Over the years, speculation has arisen due to her fashion choices, with some outfits seemingly accentuating a “baby bump.”
Similar rumors circulated in 2022 but were never substantiated. If true, she would likely have announced the news through official channels or interviews.
Julie Chen Moonves married Les Moonves, a prominent American media executive, in an intimate ceremony in Acapulco, Mexico, on December 23, 2004. The couple welcomed their only son, Charlie, on September 24, 2009.
In 2018, Julie released her first book, When I Grow Up, which she lovingly dedicated to Charlie. She has even expressed hopes that her son might one day follow in her footsteps, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I’m not on the show forever, and I’d love to keep it in the family.”
Fans of Big Brother may recall that Julie was pregnant during Season 11, often subtly concealing her growing bump during live episodes.
When she repeated the same gesture in Season 26, viewers speculated she might be expecting again, especially as her midsection appeared to grow with each episode.
However, her recent 2025 social media posts show no signs of pregnancy, putting those rumors to rest.
