Houseguests
Rachel Reilly’s Husband Brendon Villegas Defends Her After Unprecedented ‘Big Brother’ Elimination
[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for the Big Brother Season 27 episode airing Tuesday, September 9.]
Big Brother live feed viewers were faced with a harsh reality when camera footage resumed on Saturday night after the White Locust Resort “surprise” elimination—not eviction—teased on Big Brother: Unlocked.
According to viewers, Big Brother 13 winner Rachel Reilly, who joined the competition as the surprise 17th houseguest this season, was nowhere to be found. While the returning winner had led a nearly flawless game thus far, having never received a nomination or hit the block as a replacement nominee, it appeared that she had become the first member of the jury following a Challenge-style elimination competition, negating the social aspect of the beloved series.
Following her elimination, Big Brother devotees looked to Rachel’s husband, former houseguest Brendon Villegas, whom she met during Season 13 of Big Brother. On September 6, the Big Brother star took to social media to defend his wife’s Season 27 game, letting fans know that he believes production has “fumbled” this season big time.
CBS
In a three-page Notes App message, Brendon wrote, “I have a lot of emotion right now, but few words to express.” According to the parent of two, “I found out [about Rachel’s elimination] a couple hours before everyone else while I was at Chuck E Cheese with my kids. As soon as I got a call from production, I knew. When this twist was announced, there was speculation about how it worked. Once I learned there was a dependency on being selected, ultimately determining likelihood of success, I knew Rachel would be at a disadvantage.” Throughout the season, Rachel’s adversaries and allies alike had considered backdooring her due to her status as a previous winner.
“I am quite sure that Rachel was under the same impression I was about the game, that we would get a regular Big Brother season without any twists at the jury phase. I don’t think Production could have fumbled this one harder if they had tried,” he continued.
Brendon then moved on to discuss his disapproval of the actions of Rachel’s fellow houseguests following her elimination. “Also disappointing to hear how much sh*t Ava [Pearl] has been talking about Rachel since she left,” he said. “We won’t be associating with her or Kelley [Jorgenson] when this is all finished, I won’t let it happen.” He later added that he cannot see a “single winner [he] could get behind” in the remaining cast, arguing that Ashley Hollis and Will Williams have no shot without Rachel, and Keanu Soto would have to win every competition to make it to the end.
Brendon Villegas / X
The Big Brother alum went on to defend his wife’s intentions in the game, revealing, “Rachel went to play this summer because she loves Big Brother and she loves competing on reality TV. All of us do it chasing money, but there are a few who do it for love of the game, and she is one of them. I commend my wife for not having touched the nomination block once in this season. Which is insane, given that she is a returning winner. She showed once again [that] she is one of the best competitors on reality TV.”
Later, he added that his “only remaining bit of solace” is championing Rachel to win America’s Favorite Houseguest (AFP) and score an invite to another reality TV series. “Without Rachel this season would have been a dud, FACT! The other push we need is for Rachel to do Survivor and become the first player to compete on all three [Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and Survivor.] She deserves it and she has earned it!” he declared.
Of course, Brendon is not alone in his reaction to Rachel’s unprecedented elimination, calling her “the heart of [the] season.” He added, “I have been collecting snapshots of all the outpouring of love and disgust with how it went down, so Rachel will know how much love she has outside of those BB walls when she is out.”
Brendon Villegas / X
He concluded, “Thank you for all of the love and support! It means a lot to our family. I could not be prouder of Rachel and how she played this season. From the first time, many of you got to see what I already knew. Aside from being great TV, she is a strategist, a strong competitor, and most of all, a beautiful person inside and out.”
Before signing off with a “heavy heart,” Brendon told Rachel’s fans, “Let our mourning persist through the weekend and take to the streets to litter social media with ‘Rachel 4 AFP’ and show her how much she meant to this season!”
Brendon Villegas / X
What are your thoughts on Big Brother‘s “surprise” elimination? Do you think Rachel has earned America’s Favorite Houseguest this season? Sound off in the comments below!
Big Brother, Season 27 Resumes, Tuesday, September 9, 8/7c, CBS
