The latest season of Big Brother has yet to begin, but the reality show has already been in the news after internet sleuths discovered that its 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, premieres this Wednesday and Thursday, with 16 newcomers signed up to live in the famous TV complex.
However, fans have condemned producers for casting 34-year-old business expert Brooklyn, who appears to be friends with 33-year-old former contestant Aaryn Gries, now known as Aaryn Williams, who made a series of racist comments while on the show in 2013.
Shocked by their findings, disgruntled fans have criticised bosses for the ‘toxic’ casting and angrily questioned how the connection could have been ‘overlooked’.
On Reddit, someone wanted to know: ‘Is the casting department really that lazy to overlook something like this or do they just not care?’
Big Brother season 26 star Brooklyn Rivera has already found herself at the center 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 voiced his frustration: ‘Whoever does casting knows what they’re doing by going to the same toxic pools over and over again for recruits. Someone thinks these types of people and viewpoints deserve prime time.’
“They do all these background checks and then still cast someone who is friends with Aaryn. I’m dead,” wrote a third.
On X, a user asked: ‘Why would they cast a woman who has ties to one of the most racist people in Big Brother history?’
Another said: ‘Well that was a total bad idea. Casting, why?!?!’
Others, however, were less critical of the move. One wrote: ‘I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt until she does something problematic.’
While it’s unclear to what extent Brooklyn and Aaryn are friends, the two women were pictured together with a group of girlfriends in a photo that’s been shared widely 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 in the new season, Aaryn congratulated her.
Fans discovered a photo of Brooklyn and Aaryn together with a group of friends
Aaryn commented on Brooklyn’s official Big Brother announcement
She also went to X to ask where she could watch the live stream of the show
“You’re going to do great, Brooklyn,” she wrote next to a red heart.
On Monday, Aaryn also went to X to ask where she could watch the livestream of the show.
The comment irked many who remembered how her behavior led to the network’s bosses initially adding disclaimers to the feed.
She posted: ‘When do the #BB26 live feeds start? I haven’t watched them or even the show since before 15.’
DailyMail.com has contacted CBS for comment.
Aaryn caused a stir in 2013 when she appeared on Big Brother 15, where she used a number of racist slurs.
While staying at the complex, she targeted fellow housemate Candice Stewart by turning over her mattress.
After warning her to stop turning her mattress, Aaryn responded with a “black” accent and mocked Candice, who is African American.
“What are you going to do girl…what are you going to do? Class girl. Where’s your class?” Aaryn mocked.
As Candice became increasingly irritated, GinaMarie Zimmerman stepped into her argument and confronted her, “Do you want the Black man to come out?”
Disgruntled fans took to social media to vent their frustrations, criticising Big Brother’s ‘lazy’ casting team
The incident occurred after Big Brother livestreams captured Aaryn and GinaMarie making racist and homophobic comments about their competitors.
“Man, shut up and go make some rice,” Aaryn said of Helen Kim, an Asian-American roommate.
GinaMarie added: ‘Andy was like, “I’m going to punch her in the face,” and I was like, “Maybe her eyes will go back up.”‘
Of Howard Overby and Candice, two African-American contestants, the duo said, “Blacks stick together… They’re like tokens… They’re like Black Barbies and Kens.”
The duo also said that Howard and Candice’s ‘Blackness’ was about to be released.
Following her comments, Aaryn was dumped by her Texas-based modeling agency Zephyr Talent.
CBS released a statement saying it “does not condone” offensive slurs. The network later made changes to a written warning on 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 presenter Julie Chen, she said: ‘I never want to come across as racist – I’m not and I apologise to anyone I offended.’
A warning was also added to the episode repeating the language.
Aaryn responded to her comments during the exit interview at the time, saying, “I feel horrible and I regret it.
“In Texas, we say things. Sometimes we joke and we don’t mean it. I feel bad about how it’s perceived and how I come across to people. I don’t want to come across as that person.
“As a southerner, it’s a stereotype and I said things that were completely taken out of context. I don’t mean to sound racist – I’m not and I apologize to anyone I offended.”
Despite the controversy, Brooklyn is quietly confident that she will be the new winner of Big Brother.
“I will be the next Big Brother winner because I am resilient and a bit stubborn and I never do anything half-heartedly,” she said in her interview prior to her participation.
Big Brother season 26 opens its doors to 16 housemates during the two-day premiere on Wednesday and Thursday evenings
“I plan on making my mark by being the first married mother to win the show. This is the 26th season, it’s high time a married mother steps up, shows up, and walks away as the next winner.”
Brooklyn is vying for the top spot alongside stars including chef Lisa Weintraub, video store clerk Joseph Rodriguez, former Marine Cedric Hodges and crochet business owner T-Kor Clottey.
CBS previously announced that for the first time, the cast will have the power to vote for a 17th houseguest.
Following the premiere, Big Brother will air Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.