Nicole Franzel and Victor Arroyo are looking back at how their relationship began.
The “Big Brother” couple, who met during season 18 in 2016 (but didn’t start dating until after they left the house), shared a video on April 6 reflecting on their relationship from their time on the show to their life now with three children.
Nicole ‘Can’t Believe’ Relationship Started on ‘Big Brother’
CBSFranzel’s Instagram post featured a slideshow of photos set to Mitchel Tenpenny’s “Speed of Light,” showing moments from throughout their relationship.
The video opens with photos from inside the “Big Brother” house, including snaps with fellow houseguests like Paul Abrahamian, before shifting to their life after the show.
Later images show the couple dating, followed by their wedding, and then moments from their life as parents.
The on-screen caption reads, “Sometimes I can’t believe this started on a tv show.”
In the post caption, Franzel joked that raising twins—which she gave birth to about two months ago—is “a bit harder than running ‘The Amazing Race.'” (Franzel and Arroyo competed on ‘The Amazing Race’ together in 2019 and finished in fourth place.)
Nicole Is a ‘Big Brother’ Winner While Victor Was Evicted 3 Times
CBSFranzel first competed on “Big Brother” season 16, where she became the fifth member of the jury, and later returned as a houseguest on season 18. She went on to win the season and then returned again for season 22, where she finished in third place.
She’s regarded among the show’s top players due to her competition wins.
Arroyo’s path through the game was far less straightforward.
He was first evicted early on in season 18, but returned in week 5 after winning a Battle Back competition. He was evicted again in week 9, despite his alliances and competition wins. Arroyo then returned again after winning the jury re-entry competition until he was evicted for good later on, finishing in fifth place.
Arroyo went on to win the title of America’s Favorite Houseguest.
Despite meeting and competing on the same season, Franzel and Arroyo developed a close friendship, but did not begin dating inside the house. In fact, Franzel developed a showmance with another houseguest, Corey Brooks.
Victor Proposed to Nicole During Surprise Return to ‘Big Brother’ House
CBSFranzel and Arroyo became a couple in 2017 after the show ended.
In 2018, Arroyo returned to “Big Brother” and proposed to Franzel inside the house where they first met. Franzel thought she was there to host a luxury competition, but instead, Arroyo appeared in a video message before walking into the house in person.
“Nic, we met in the ‘Big Brother’ house over two years ago,” he said. “We formed a friendship in the ‘Big Brother’ house, but our friendship really blossomed outside in the real world.
“I knew the moment that we had that first kiss in New York that I was in love with you.”
Arroyo then entered the house and got down on one knee.
“And even though I didn’t win the money, I walked out of ‘Big Brother’ with the biggest prize of all, and that’s you,” he said.
Franzel accepted the proposal on the spot.
Nicole and Victor Welcomed Twins After Trying to Conceive for 3 Years
Franzel and Arroyo welcomed their first child, Victor Arroyo IV (aka Arrow)‚ in July 2021.
In August 2025, the couple announced they were expecting again after trying to conceive for three years and later confirmed they were expecting twins.
“We were and are ecstatic. What a beautiful gift from God!” Franzel told People at the time.
Arroyo said the pregnancy felt like a “long-awaited gift.”
The twins, named Goldie and River, were born in February 2026, bringing their family to five.
