Third time's the charm for Rick Devens.
After coming up short twice on "Survivor," the Virginia news anchor and reality TV icon, 42, is finally taking home a massive paycheck after winning "Big Brother"
Season 28 Thursday, Oct. 1.
He won $750,000 from the reality competition series, $50,000 for being voted "America's Favorite Player" and $10,000 for accepting "the pharaoh's curse," a new twist introduced this season.
The "Survivor" alum revealed what he plans to do with the money, which includes a special gift for his close ally Drew Campbell, 22, whom Devens voted to evict Thursday during the finale in an emotionally brutal betrayal.
"Drew is definitely getting a nice dinner, although I think a nice dinner for Drew is In-N-Out Burger, Dave's Hot Chicken or something like that, so we might have to give him something extra," Devens told USA TODAY Friday, Oct. 2. "He's talked a lot about Machu Picchu, and I might just have to send him there. We got to take good care of my buddy Drew."
Devens also plans to invest his winnings while making room for special heated toilets, which he grew accustomed to in the "Big Brother" house.
Drew Campbell says Rick Devens 'doesn't have to do anything for me'
The decision to cut Campbell before the final two was devastating not only for them but for viewers, as the 22-year-old dental assistant protected the broadcast journalist throughout the season, including at the final four, when Campbell had to choose between evicting Devens or his fellow "Survivor" alum Dee Valladares.
Ultimately, Devens made the tough call after runner-up Taylor Brown convinced him he wouldn't have enough jury votes to beat Campbell.
Campbell respects the move, telling USA TODAY, "Dude, he doesn't have to do anything for me."
"I got to do my dream," he said. "I got to play 'Big Brother' at 22 years old. Most people don't get to play until they're in their late 20s. If he wants to do something nice, I'm not going to say no. I haven't really even spoken to him yet, and I can't wait to see him and congratulate him again."
Brown told USA TODAY that the threat to convince Devens to take her to the final two instead of Campbell was just a successful ploy. She told Devens that if he sat next to Campbell in the final two chairs, she would convince close ally LaTrice "Lala" Verrett to vote for Campbell.
"I knew from watching the show, I wouldn't have been able to convince Lala to flip votes," she said. "Me not voting for Devens was definitely a bluff."
She made it clear that she would've voted for Devens to win if she ended up on the jury, "because Devens deserved it. We all know Devens deserved it."
Will Rick Devens play 'Survivor' again?
Even after winning more than $800,000, Devens is not retiring from his reality TV career, whether it's "Survivor" or a shorter version of "Big Brother."
"Anytime Jeff Probst calls, I answer that phone, and if he wants me on that island, I will be back on that island," Devens said.
He also reacted to Probst posting a video congratulating Devens ahead of his epic win. "Regardless of how it turns out, well done, brother," Probst said in his video posted on Instagram Thursday. "I will be watching, well done brother."
"I'm so grateful you even took the time to watch me and root for Dee and I," Devens said. "Jeff is the best guy in the world. He's changed my life. I love him so much."
He continued: "I would do anything for that guy, so I'm glad I was able to represent for 'Survivor.'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rick Devens reveals what he's buying Drew Campbell after 'Big Brother' win
