O BBB 2broadcast by Rede Globo in 2002, had Rodrigo Leonelnicknamed Rodrigo Cowboy, as the winner, with 65% of the votes, while Manuela got 35%. This was the first and only time that the program had two editions in the same year.
After 71 days of confinement and 11 walls (including the final), Rodrigo took home R$ 500 milno tax discounts, plus a car. Manuela, who came second, won R$ 30 milwhile flight attendant Cida, in third, received R$ 20 mil.
Root BBB with a lot of personality
Cowboy spent much of the game out of the spotlight, as the season was marked by more intense and flashy personalities. One of the best examples of this was Tina. Although she was eliminated in the second week, she is still remembered by many as one of the most memorable participants in the history of the franchise.
Strong-willed, Tina starred one of the most controversial moments of the program. In one incident, she fought with the entire house, causing widespread chaos never seen before on the reality show. Banging pans and messing up the other participants’ clothes, Tina became the first big highlight of the edition.
Who also caught the public’s attention with a personality that divided opinions was Cidathird place. Unashamed of the cameras, she acted spontaneously, without worrying about the image she conveyed to the public, which resulted in many funny — and even unusual — moments, including singing, dancing and controversial hygiene habits.
Without a doubt, the most followed story in the edition was the romance between Manuela and Thyrsosfourth place. The couple’s dramas and constant arguments even generated a “soap opera” within the program, called “Handcuffs of Passion“, which highlighted the conflicts between the two.
The climax of the plot happened when Manuela allegedly hooked up with another participant, Fabriciowhile still dating Thyrso.
“Hello, cowboy guys”
Amidst so many personalities with “love it or hate it” characteristics, Cowboy’s shy and pleasant manner won over those who were not prepared for so much intensity in the editing. Furthermore, in recent weeks, he began to interact more with presenter Pedro Bial, showing himself to be a polite and friendly figure.
He even got a theme song, “Clima de Rodeio”, by the group Dallas Companywhich further increased its popularity. It is worth mentioning that, during the season, participant Thaís had an affair with Fernando Fernandes, but, after his elimination, she became closer to the winner Rodrigo Cowboy.
Even without any action during the program, the two dated as soon as the reality show ended.
Where is the winner of BBB 2?
In interviews with several newspapers in recent years, Rodrigo revealed that he spent the entire R$500,000 prize he won on the program by buying a thousand calves, paying R$350 each. He currently lives on rent in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo, after losing his calves, the farm he had rented and the apartments he gave to his two daughters from his first marriage.
He was also married to a sales manager at a Styrofoam factory, with whom he had his youngest son. Currently, Rodrigo works as a real estate agent.
*Published by Ana Beatriz Dias, from CNN Brasil
