Julie Chen Moonves on How Social Media Has "Leveled Up" 'Big Brother' and Previewing Season 25

As long as there's been Big Brother, there's been Julie Chen Moonves. Over nearly 25 years, the CBS personality has gone from being a news anchor to talk show host to emceeing one of the longest-running reality competition shows. And, after awarding over $12.5 million in prize money, watching over 300 people as they gotten evicted, and uttering her famous "But first" across more than 850 episodes, it's an opportunity to look back on how the show—and the host—have changed.

"I used to take it so seriously," Chen Moonves reminisces about her early days on Big Brother in an interview with Parade.com. "That's why they called me the 'Chenbot.' And now I've learned to just have fun with it, let go and let God, and most of all, not be so judgy of these houseguests!"

Read on for our interview with Julie Chen Moonves, which includes her thoughts on how social media has changed Big Brother, as well as what famous competitions will return for season 25. Big Brother 25 premieres with a 90-minute live move-in on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.

Related: Everything to Know About Big Brother 25 

How has your own relationship changed with Big Brother going on 25 seasons, between the approach you have to hosting as well as your thoughts about the game?
I think after 24 seasons of hosting Big Brother, I have matured as a human being—I hope I have—and also changed as a host. When I was younger, and I started this show, I was like everyone else, screaming at the television. And now, I try to see everyone through a different lens, and think, "Well, what's the other side of their story?"

It’s arguable that social media is the biggest thing that has changed about Big Brother over the years. The live feeds have bred an incredibly passionate fanbase who can become obsessive with these houseguests. What are your thoughts on how social media has affected the Big Brother viewing experience?
Social media has taken Big Brother to the next level. At first, we were just the only show where we existed 24/7, where anyone with internet access could watch what was happening. But social media has leveled things up. People have been able to provide commentary, show the whole world how they're viewing the house guests and the game through their lens.

It's been a blessing and a curse. A lot of people have gotten more engaged and invested in the show and in the people living in the house. And that's been good and sometimes bad. There's been, at times, this "pile on" mentality. And it's like, "Who is anyone to judge anyone else?" We're just trying to have a fun reality summer show. Can't we just have it be that? And why don't we give someone a chance to explain themselves or give them a chance to change? So social media has just turned everything up to 11. It's also created another career for a lot of these houseguests who come out. They become social media influencers. It used to be, "Oh I want to go on Big Brother or Survivor whatever to become a movie star or an actor." Now it's like, "I'm an influencer thanks to social media."

In your opinion, what would you consider the Mount Rushmore of Big Brother moments?
The Mount Rushmore of Big Brother moments, in my opinion, would include Dan's Funeral, Kaysar getting back in the game, Taylor winning when she was the underdog from basically day one last summer, and Xavier Prather winning with the Cookout. And the Cookout making it to the final six, that was a Mount Rushmore moment. And Taylor being the first person in the history of this game to win not only the game, but win America's Favorite Houseguest. That is an iconic moment that definitely belongs in the Mount Rushmore moments of this game.

Though season 25 will feature all-new houseguests, how much will the milestone reflect upon the season, through competitions, decor, twists, etc.?
Being that we are embarking on the 25th season with Big Brother, of course, we're going to have the iconic competitions that we all love. We're going to have the wall, an endurance competition. We're going to have OTEV, which is "veto" spelled backward. Everyone loves watching houseguests have to compete through some sort of swamp or sludge, something gooey, climb up a rope on a slope, only to find, "It's musical chairs. What do you mean there's a slot missing? I'm out this round?" And Zingbot! It's not Big Brother without Zingbot.

Next, check out our interview with Big Brother fan favorites Taylor Hale and Janelle Pierzina.