The final season of Big Brother has yet to air, but the reality show is already embroiled in controversy after internet sleuths discovered that new housemate Brooklyn Rivera has a connection to a disgraced former contestant accused of racism.
Season 26 of the CBS show, hosted by Julie Chen Moonves, will premiere over two nights on Wednesday and Thursday, with 16 newcomers signed up to live on the famous television complex.
But fans have condemned producers for choosing Brooklyn, a 34-year-old business administrator who appears to be friends with former contestant Aaryn Gries, 33, now known as Aaryn Williams, who made a series of racist comments during her time on the show in 2013.
Shocked by their findings, disgruntled fans slammed bosses for “toxic” casting and furiously questioned how the connection was “overlooked”.
On Reddit, one person asked: “Is casting production lazy enough to overlook something like this or do they just not care?”
Big Brother season 26 star Brooklyn Rivera has already found herself at the centre of controversy ahead of the new series’ launch this week.
Internet sleuths have discovered that Brooklyn, 34, is friends with disgraced former contestant Aaryn Gries, 33, who appeared on Big Brother 15 in 2013.
Another vented: “The casting director knows what they’re doing by continually turning to the same toxic groups to recruit. Someone thinks these types of people and viewpoints deserve a prominent place.”
“They do all these background checks and still pick someone who is friends with Aaryn. I’m dead,” wrote a third.
On X, one user asked: ‘Why would they choose a woman who is affiliated with one of the most racist people in Big Brother history?’
Another said: “Well, that was a bad idea all around. Why choose the actor?”
However, others were less critical of the move, with one person writing: “I think until he does something problematic, he should be given the benefit of the doubt.”
While the extent of Brooklyn and Aaryn’s friendship is unclear, the two women were photographed together with a group of friends in a photo that has been widely shared online since news of Brooklyn’s Big Brother appearance broke.
They also follow each other on Instagram.
After Brooklyn announced on Instagram that she would be appearing on the new season, Aaryn congratulated her.
Fans discovered a photograph of Brooklyn and Aaryn together with a group of friends.
Aaryn Commented on the Official Brooklyn Big Brother Announcement
He also turned to X to ask where he could watch the live stream of the show.
“You’re gonna rock it, Brooklyn,” she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.
On Monday, Aaryn also took to X to ask where she could watch the show’s live stream.
The comment rankled many who recalled how his behaviour led network bosses to add disclaimers to the feed in the first place.
She posted: “When do the #BB26 live streams start? I’ve never even watched the show since before I was 15.”
DailyMail.com has contacted CBS for comment.
Aaryn caused a stir during her appearance on Big Brother 15 in 2013, during which she made a series of racist insults.
While staying at the resort, he attacked fellow housemate Candice Stewart by flipping her mattress.
After warning her not to flip the mattress again, Aaryn responded in a “black” accent, mocking Candice, who is African-American.
—What are you gonna do, girl? What are you gonna do? Class girl. Where’s your class? —Aaryn taunted.
As Candice was getting nervous, GinaMarie Zimmerman joined in and confronted her with, “Do you want the Negro to come out?”
Disgruntled fans vented their frustrations on social media, where they criticised Big Brother’s “lazy” casting team.
The incident came after Big Brother live feeds captured Aaryn and GinaMarie making racist and homophobic comments about their competitors.
“Shut up, dude, go make some rice,” Aaryn said of Helen Kim, an Asian-American housemate.
GinaMarie added: ‘Andy said, “I’m going to punch him in the face,” and I said, “Maybe that will make him straighten his eyes.”
Speaking about Howard Overby and Candice, two African-American contestants, the duo said: ‘Black people stick together… They’re like tokens… They’re like black Barbies and Kens.’
The duo also said that Howard and Candice’s ‘Blackness’ was starting to come out.
Following her comments, Aaryn was fired from her Texas-based modeling agency, Zephyr Talent.
CBS released a statement saying it “does not tolerate” offensive slurs. The network later made changes to include a warning written on the feeds.
Aaryn caused a stir during her appearance on Big Brother 15 in 2013 (pictured) after making several racist comments.
In her exit interview with host Julie Chen, she said: “I don’t want to sound racist, that’s not who I am and I apologize to anyone I’ve offended.”
A disclaimer was also added to the episode in which the language was repeated.
Responding to her comments in the exit interview, Aaryn said at the time: “I feel horrible about it and I’m sorry.”
‘In Texas we say things. Sometimes we joke around and we don’t mean it. I feel bad about how I’m seen and how I’ve behaved in front of people. I don’t want to be that person.
“Being a Southerner is a stereotype and I’ve said some things that have been completely taken out of context. I don’t mean to sound racist, that’s not who I am and I apologize to anyone I’ve offended.”
Despite the controversy, Brooklyn is confident that she will be the new winner of Big Brother.
“I will be the next winner of Big Brother because I am resilient, I am a bit stubborn and I don’t do anything halfway,” she said in her pre-registration interview.
Big Brother season 26 will open its doors to 16 housemates during the two-day premiere on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
“I plan to make my mark by being the first married mother to win the show. This being the 26th season, it’s about time for a married mother to step up, shine and become the next winner.”
Brooklyn will compete for the top spot alongside such personalities as celebrity chef Lisa Weintraub, video store employee Joseph Rodriguez, former Marine Cedric Hodges and crochet business owner T-Kor Clottey.
CBS previously revealed that the cast will have the power to vote on a 17th houseguest for the first time.
Following the premiere, Big Brother will air Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.