\n<\/p>\n
Julie Chen<\/a><\/strong> is doing something she’s never done before.<\/p>\n The Big Brother<\/a><\/em> host will be missing the CBS reality competition series’ Sept. 12 live eviction episode for the first time in 24 years.<\/p>\n “Friday morning I woke up with a sore throat and went to see my good friend who is an ENT,” the 54-year-old shared with fans in a Sept. 12 Instagram<\/a> post. “That night he called to say I have COVID. Thankfully this is only the second time for me and it’s been very mild! No fever and just a sore throat.”<\/p>\n Chen noted that “despite feeling good strong and my cough being gone,” she’s still testing positive for coronavirus, adding, “I must sit tonight’s Big Brother<\/em> Live eviction show out.”<\/p>\n However, the former The Talk<\/em> cohost found a perfect replacement: Current The Talk<\/em> cohost Jerry O’Connell<\/a><\/strong>, who she tanked for temporarily filling her shoes.<\/p>\n “I hope Jerry fits into my dress,” she joked, “has a ball and tells the houseguests I miss them but will be watching from home.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n