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United States Janelle Pierzina established herself as a notable figure in reality television, transitioning into a successful real estate career in the Twin Cities market.
Janelle Pierzina works as a real estate agent for Edina Realty, specializing in luxury properties in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. She utilizes her reality TV background to connect with clients, noting that about a third of her clientele are Big Brother fans.
Janelle Pierzina engage in regular workouts at Pure Barre, reflecting her interest in fitness activities.
Janelle Pierzina participated in a 'Big Brother' Primetime Special of 'The Price is Right' on May 24, 2016, where she played for the charity Cycle for Survival.
Janelle Marie Pierzina was born on January 10, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1998. Prior to her reality television career, Pierzina worked as an actress, model, and cocktail waitress. Her early acting credits include uncredited roles as a Patron in a coffee shop in “Friends” (2001) and as a Woman on Wizard’s Lap in “Charmed” (2002). She also appeared as Cheerleader #13 in “Like Mike” (2002) and as a Woman at Party in “Bruce Almighty” (2003). In 2004, she played Van Damme’s Girl Friend in an episode of the TV series “Las Vegas” and filmed “National Lampoon’s Infamous Cuisine” for Comedy Central. In 2007, she resided in Miami Beach, Florida, working at The Mansion Club.
Pierzina gained widespread recognition through her appearances on the CBS reality show “Big Brother.” Her initial participation in Season 6 (2005) saw her as part of the Sovereign Six Alliance, reaching third place and winning two America’s Choice awards. She returned for “Big Brother 7: All-Stars” in 2006, again securing third place and being named the winner of the America’s Choice vote, receiving a $25,000 prize. This made her the first houseguest to win the America’s Favorite Houseguest award. She set a record for most individual competitions won in a single season on “Big Brother 7” with 9 wins (4 HOHs & 5 POVs). Pierzina continued her reality TV presence, revisiting the “Big Brother” house in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 for Season 14 (where she was evicted in 12th place), and in 2020 for “Big Brother 22: All-Stars” (finishing in 14th place).
Beyond “Big Brother,” Pierzina expanded her reality television portfolio. In 2019, she competed on the 31st season of “The Amazing Race” with teammate Britney Haynes, finishing in 8th place. In 2022, she was a co-winner of the USA Network competition series “Snake in the Grass.” Most recently, she competed in the second season of Peacock’s “The Traitors” in 2024. In her personal life, Janelle married Jess DeSanto on June 12, 2010, and they have three children: Violet Anne DeSanto (born 2011), Lincoln William DeSanto (born 2013), and Stella Rose DeSanto (born 2014). She is now a real estate agent in Minnesota for Edina Realty, specializing in luxury properties in the Twin Cities. She utilizes her public profile, noting that a significant portion of her real estate clientele are “Big Brother” fans.
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