ALTON – Ashley Trail, a 24-year-old Alton native, is set to appear on the 90-minute season premiere of CBS’ “Big Brother” on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central Time, as one of the first 14 houseguests introduced by host Julie Chen Moonves.
Trail was born and raised in Alton and now lives in Chicago. She works for Barstool Sports as the weather girl for the show and also does some bartending at a popular bar in Chicago. She is also an Alton High graduate.
On the “Big Brother” site, Trail said, “I am not a cop. I’m not a lawyer. I don’t have to lie, and I can say I pour vodka for a living. No one is intimidated by the bartender.'”
“Big Brother” is a reality game show in which houseguests live in the “Big Brother House” under constant video surveillance. Isolated from the outside world, the contestants compete in strategic, physical, and social games for a $750,000 prize. The house for Season 28 is decorated to match the theme “Time Trip.”
Trail’s aunt, Ann Trail-Meredith, described her niece as “extremely outgoing. She’s very motivated to be successful and has big dreams and ambitions.”
Her aunt said Trail was very excited when she was chosen for the show and saw it as an opportunity “to see where it takes her.” Ann said she is very excited for Trail to be on the show and hopes she does well.
Ann said, “I am so proud of her. She has always been a go-getter; she has big dreams. Ashley is one of those people who follows through with her dreams.”
“She doesn’t just talk about it; she is inspirational to so many people,” she said. “We wonder where this is going to take her. This is opening a lot of doors for her.”
