America's Winner (or Canada's Winner in Big Brother Canada) is the original format to have a winner in Big Brother 1. Rather than The Jury voting for a winner, it would be decided with a public vote. It would later become a twist when the public would cast one vote to win, with Jury members casting the rest. In the event that a HouseGuest walks from the game or is expelled during the Jury stage, America will vote in their place, with the other Jury members voting as normal. It would later become the focus again in Big Brother: Over The Top.
Due some seasons having the potential for a tie due to an even numbered jury, America was set to vote for the winner to break said tie:
There was a Jury of 10 on Big Brother 3 (US), with the potential for a 5-5 tie. However, there was no tie between the Final 2, Danielle Reyes and Lisa Donahue, so the results were never revealed. Lisa beat Danielle in a vote of 9-1.
There was a Jury of 8 on Celebrity Big Brother 3 (US), with the potential for a 4-4 tie. However, there was no tie between the Final 2, Miesha Tate and Todrick Hall, so the results were never revealed. Miesha beat Todrick in a vote of 7-1.
In seasons where the public had one Jury vote instead of making the entire decision, they always voted for the eventual winner.
The only planned America's Winners were in Big Brother 1, 3, 8, and OTT. The only planned Canada's Winners were Big Brother Canada 2 and Big Brother Canada 10.
Big Brother 1 and OTT had America vote for the winner out of the final 3.
Big Brother 3 had planned an America's vote in the event of a tie, although that did not occur.
Big Brother 8 had Eric Stein as America's Player, and since he made it onto the Jury, he voted on behalf of America.
Big Brother Canada 2 had a Jury of 6, with Canada being the 7th "Juror."
Big Brother Canada 10 had a Jury of 8, with Canada being the 9th "Juror."
The unplanned instances were as follows:
During Big Brother 11, Chima Simone was expelled during the Jury stage, so America had gained an unplanned Jury vote in her place.
Similarly, on Big Brother Canada 4, Ramsey Aburaneh walked from the game during the Jury stage, so Canada had gained an unplanned Jury vote as well. However, since Ramsey was not expelled, he was invited back for finale and cast the vote in behalf of Canada.
During Celebrity Big Brother 3, Chris Kattan walked from the game and since all Celebrities are set to be Jurors, America gained an unplanned Jury vote in the event of a tie, although that did not occur.
