“Big Brother” legend Rachel Reilly is rooting for the “Survivor” players to make their mark on “Big Brother 28.”
Reilly shared her thoughts on Dee Valladares and Rick Devens while speaking with Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” alongside fellow “Big Brother” alums Britney Haynes and Danielle Reyes. The three reality TV veterans reunited to celebrate “Big Brother” reaching its milestone 1,000th episode.
Despite coming from the “Big Brother” world herself, Reilly revealed that she would be happy to see Valladares and Devens continue dominating the competition.
Rachel Reilly Is Rooting for the ‘Survivor’ Players
“I kind of want them to steamroll it,” Reilly told Page Six.
The Season 13 winner explained that she believes a strong performance from Valladares and Devens could change how future crossover contestants approach “Big Brother.”
Reilly pointed specifically to the skills “Survivor” players bring into the house, referencing the franchise’s famous “outwit, outplay, outlast” motto. She believes that if Valladares and Devens can combine those skills with competition wins and successfully using their special powers, future players may take returning reality TV veterans more seriously from the beginning.
She hopes their success could encourage a more immediate battle if “Big Brother” brings in additional “Survivor” alumni or other returning reality television competitors in future seasons.
Dee Valladares and Rick Devens Have Made Their Mark
Valladares and Devens entered “Big Brother 28” with significant experience navigating strategic reality competitions.
Valladares previously won “Survivor 45,” while Devens became a memorable competitor on “Survivor: Edge of Extinction.” Their arrival gave the “Big Brother” houseguests two players who already understood the pressures of alliances, competitions and strategic decision-making on television.
The crossover has also created an unusual dynamic for viewers accustomed to seeing “Big Brother” and “Survivor” competitors operating within their respective franchises.
Their run also gives longtime fans a chance to compare how strategies from the two CBS competitions translate when players must adapt to a different format, social structure and set of challenges.
Reilly appears particularly interested in what their performance could mean beyond this season. Rather than viewing the “Survivor” competitors solely as outsiders entering “Big Brother” territory, she sees their presence as an opportunity to create stronger competition between experienced reality TV players.
Rachel Reilly Knows About Playing ‘Big Brother’ Twice
Reilly understands firsthand how previous experience can affect a contestant’s second opportunity in the house.
She originally competed on “Big Brother 12” before returning one year later for Season 13. During her second appearance, she made it to the final two and won the season.
CBSHer comments come as “Big Brother” celebrates another major milestone. CBS is marking the reality competition’s 1,000th episode on Thursday, more than two decades after the U.S. edition premiered in 2000.
For Reilly, seeing “Survivor” veterans thrive could add another layer to the franchise’s future.
If Valladares and Devens continue succeeding, Reilly believes future crossover players may enter a house prepared for battle from day one, exactly the kind of competition she hopes to see.
