Longtime fans of CBS’s “Big Brother” have been up in arms since series legend Rachel Reilly became the latest houseguest to be evicted from the “BB” House following what some are calling a “cruel twist.”
Reilly, who originally appeared on the series’ 12th season in 2010 before returning to win the competition (and the $500,000 grand prize) on Season 13 the following year, began her third “Big Brother” appearance earlier this summer after she was revealed as the season’s mystery 17th houseguest. In spite of being the season’s only returning player – and a former champion at that – Reilly managed to avoid nomination and eviction until Day 60, when a shocking “White Locust” twist resulted in her elimination.
While fans have been vocal about their hopes that CBS will introduce a concurrent twist to bring Rachel back into the fold before the finale, the reality TV star’s post-game interviews suggest that her eviction will remain permanent.
Though the chances of seeing the three-time “Big Brother” player return to the series any time soon are slim, other CBS reality stars are calling on Reilly to broaden her horizons by competing on yet another one of the network’s competition series – “Survivor.”
‘Rachel Reilly for Season 51!’ Says ‘Survivor’ Star
Calls for Rachel to appear on the Emmy-winning franchise began after former castaway Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick – who will embark on her fourth “Survivor” season on the cast of Season 50 next year – voiced her frustrations with Rachel’s controversial elimination on X/Twitter.
“Sending love to my girl Rachel Reilly, one of the greatest friends I’ve made from TV,” wrote Stephenie, who previously competed alongside the “Big Brother” star on the flagship season of NBC’s “The Traitors” in 2023. “This girl is a TRUE friend. The way she went out was COMPLETELY bogus, but she played a masterful game and without her there was no ‘BB27’! Keep your head high!”
GettyThe tweet later caught the attention of one fan, who suggested that Reilly should shift gears by competing on “Survivor” – an idea that LaGrossa-Kendrick immediately supported.
“Yessss!!! Rachel Reilly for ‘Survivor 51’,” she replied to the fan comment.
“I second this motion!!!” added “Survivor: Guatemala” winner Danni Boatwright.
Could Rachel Reilly Complete the CBS Reality Show Trifecta?
The campaign to convince CBS to cast Reilly on a future season of “Survivor” has since been picked up by the star’s own husband, Brendon Villegas.
While Reilly and Villegas were strangers when they appeared together on Season 12 of “Big Brother” in 2010, the couple celebrated one of the series’ most iconic on-screen “showmances” to date. By 2012 the duo, now engaged, continued their CBS reality TV careers on Season 20 of “The Amazing Race,” where they place thrid despite Rachel’s frequent international meltdowns.
GettyAfter their marriage later the same year, Reilly and Villegas returned to compete on “The Amazing Race: All Stars” in 2014, placing thrid yet again. Reilly later ran the race-around-the-world for a third time, this time alongside her sister Elissa Slater on Season 31.
With three runs on both “Big Brother” and “The Amazing Race,” Villegas is now calling on fans to push for Reilly to make CBS history by playing “Survivor” to “become the first player to compete on all three [CBS reality competition shows].”
The trifecta of shows have had plenty of cross-over in the past. For example, “Survivor” stars like Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano and Mike White, as well as a litany of “Big Brother” stars have competed on various seasons of “The Amazing Race.” Meanwhile, reality stars like Cirie Fields and Caleb Reynolds appeared on “Big Brother” after finding success on “Survivor.”
Why Doesn’t ‘Survivor’ Cast ‘Big Brother’ Stars?
“Survivor” is the only one of the trio of shows that hasn’t made a habit of casting stars from other reality series. While plenty of “Survivor” stars have gone on to appear on shows like “The Amazing Race” and “Big Brother,” as well as many non-CBS series like “The Traitors,” “The Challenge” and “Deal or No Deal Island,” rarely have producers pulled in contestants with previously established reality TV experience.
This may have something to do with longtime “Survivor” host Jeff Probst’s previous “bitter” attitude towards “Survivor” players continuing their reality careers on other series. However, Probst recently changed his stance on the matter. The host’s new point-of-view could not only open the door for more and more “Survivor” stars to appear on shows like “The Traitors” without fear of being blacklisted from future “Survivor” projects, but could also allow for stars from other reality series, like “Big Brother’s” Rachel Reilly, to attempt to outwit, outplay and outlast their way to the $1,000,000 grand prize and the title of “Sole Survivor” on a future season.
