Daniele Donato

Full Name: Daniele Donato
Age: 20 (August 20, 1986)
Home: Huntington Beach, California
Status: Single
Occupation: Waitress


Daniele had not spoken to her estranged father, Dick (another HouseGuest), for two years prior to entering the house. Her budding relationship with HouseGuest Nick was not well received by Dick.

When the show started, she lied to the other HouseGuests saying she was 21-years-old, while she did not turn 21 until August 20 (toward the end of the show). The eligibility requirements for Big Brother state that contestants must be 21 years of age at time of application. It is unknown whether Daniele intentionally falsified her application or she was allowed to apply underage in order to participate in the "Biggest Nemesis" twist.

Daniele won two Head of Household Competitions (Weeks 5 and 7) and five Power of Veto Competitions (Weeks 1, 2, 7, 9 and 10), tying Janelle's record. On Day 36, during the Power of Veto Competition, Daniele agreed to wear a bunny suit for five days and have funk dumped on her twenty-four times in twenty-four hours. On Day 50, when Daniele won the "Big Brother Speedway" Veto Competition, she and Amber (who came in 2nd place) won a secret trip to New York City to compete in The Power of 10. She did not win anything during her New York City trip. On Day 56, Amber, Daniele, Jameka, and Jessica won a 2-minute Shopping Spree in the Big Brother Living Room as a result of the Luxury Competition.

During Week 10, when Daniele and Dick were nominated for eviction, Daniele won "The Power of Protection Competition" (the Final PoV Competition of the season). She used it to save Dick from eviction, as she was ensured a place in the Final 3 when Dick, the only HouseGuest able to vote, voted to evict Jameka. This is the second time in Big Brother history (and in one season) that a HouseGuest nominated for eviction used the Veto to remove the other person from the nomination block; Dick being the first in Week 6. She later made it into the Final 2 when Dick won the last Head of Household Competition and evicted Zach.

On Day 81, Daniele became the Big Brother 8 Runner-Up and won $50,000 by a vote of 2 to 5 vote. Daniele received votes from Jameka and Jen.