Julie Chen-Moonves paid tribute to “Big Brother 8” alum Amber Siyavus on Monday after news broke that the reality star had died at age 46.
Siyavus, who competed on the CBS series in 2007, passed away on Friday, according to a report from the outlet that emerged Monday. She finished seventh on Season 8 and became known to viewers as “Whamber” for her emotional moments in the house.
Chen-Moonves, the longtime host of the franchise, shared her reaction on social media alongside a clip from Siyavus’ post-eviction interview. “Rest in Peace Amber. Hard to believe but I know you are back in our eternal home with our Creator,” she wrote. “Thank you for your heart and honesty. We will remember you with love ❤️,” she added.
The reality star’s death came years after she had faced a string of legal troubles in Nevada. In February 2020, Siyavus pleaded guilty to attempting to resist an officer with a dangerous weapon, according to court records. Prosecutors had alleged she tried to drive away in Henderson while a police officer was partially inside her vehicle.
After entering that plea, she received a suspended prison sentence of 19 to 48 months and up to four years of probation. She was also ordered to undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations.
Later that same year, in September 2020, Siyavus pleaded guilty to felony forgery involving Western Union money orders. She reportedly received another suspended prison sentence and up to two years of probation for that offense. At the time of her death, she was no longer under court supervision for any of these cases.
Siyavus had spoken about her path onto reality television in a 2007 interview with Buddy TV. “I did it for my family, I saw on TV a casting call down in Nevada, and I went down there and gave my two-minute video message and hoped for the best and being picked as a contestant,” she recalled at the time.
She also reflected on the difficulty of the experience. “It was definitely a tough experience and I learned a lot about life, people, and myself…everything, and a lot of stuff I can take appreciation from,” she said.
Following her reality TV run, Siyavus returned to Las Vegas and began working as a cocktail waitress at the MGM Grand, according to her Facebook account. She started that job in 2008, the year after her season aired.
The reality star had also endured a devastating personal loss. In 2018, her 18-year-old daughter Lexi Tomcavage died in Ohio in an apparent suicide.
Siyavus’ time on “Big Brother 8” made her a memorable figure in the show’s early years, with her emotional vulnerability and distinctive nickname leaving a lasting impression on the franchise’s fanbase. Her casting call journey from Nevada to the CBS soundstages represented a familiar path for reality television hopefuls of that era.
Siyavus is survived by family members who have not issued public statements as of Monday evening.