Big Brother27’s surprise returning houseguest has been keeping their comeback a secret for months,pulling off an epic stunt with their reality TV showmance-turned-husband to throw viewers off the scent. Throughout the lead-up toBig Brother27, viewers were curious about the possibility of a returning houseguest. While many names were thrown around, one continued to come up with viewers.
AsBig Brotherapproached its quarter-century anniversary, viewers have been wondering what twists would come into the game to commemorate the show being on for 25 years. AlthoughBig Brother25was touted as the anniversary season of the series,celebrating a quarter-century on the air was also somethingBig Brotherviewers wanted to make a big deal out of.
While there’s been a lack of returning houseguests in the last several years,BBfans often point to seasons with returnees as some of their favorites. Now, with a returning houseguest back in the mix,Big Brother27 viewers are learning went into keeping the secret safe prior to the season’s big reveal safe before the premiere.
Big Brother Legend Rachel Reilly Was Revealed As The Mystery Houseguest
Big Brother27’s new castis getting to know aBBlegend during their time in the house, asRachel is one of the most well-known and iconic houseguests to have ever played the game. Introduced duringBig Brother12, Rachel went into theBBhouse ready to dominate and got side-tracked by her showmance with Brendon Villegas, getting serious quickly.
While Rachel didn’t winBig Brother12,she returned with Brendon forBig Brother13, a season dominated by duos. Though Rachel’s personality could be grating at times, it was clear that she knew exactly what she was doing in theBBhouse. Making big moves and winning competitions to back up her gameplay,Rachel took the game seriously and won.
Though Rachel has been on other reality shows sinceBB, includingThe Amazing RaceandThe Traitors, she’s alwayssaid she wants to return toBig Brother. While she was interested in being part of the cast forBig Brother22, the second All-Star season of the series,Rachel was pregnant at the time and couldn’t participate. Her return is exciting.
Rachel’s Husband, Former BB Houseguest Brendon Villegas, Helped Keep Her Secret
Brendon Played Up Rachel’s Social Media Presence
AlthoughBrendonhasn’t continued the quest to be a reality TV personality in the same way his wife has since their time onBig Brother,he had a massive hand in keeping her return toBBa secret. When rumors started buzzing around about Rachel potentially onBB,Brendon reassured his followers that she wasn’t in theBig Brotherhouse.
Going as far as responding to Rachel’s text messages, posting on her social media accounts, and pretending to talk to her off-camera at the beginning of a post-show live, Brendon committed to the bit untilRachel was revealed as the firstBB27 twist. With fellowBig Brotheralumni confused and thrown off, Brendon caused some chaos of his own.
Former BB Legends Janelle Pierzina & Britney Haynes Were Both On The Case
They Weren’t Entirely Fooled By Brendon
Janelle Pierzina, anotherBig Brotherlegend who’s grown close with Rachel through the years, and Britney Haynes, who appeared onBB12 with Rachel in 2010, both seemed confused about their friends' disappearance. Both vocal online,Janelle took to X to discuss theories about Rachel being in the house right away, sharing she wasn’t hearing back from Rachel, who’s typically a prompt responder.
WhileBrendontried to throw Rachel and Britney, who shared her own theories on Instagram, off the scent, he shared during a post-premiere live that they were"the worst"when it came to keeping the secret under wraps.Brendon couldn’t seem to fool Rachel’s friends, but he was consistent with her followers. Keeping Rachel’sBig Brothersurprise under wraps wasn’t easy.
Big Brotherairs Sundays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.
