The reality show Big Brother is known for its intense drama, unexpected twists, and houseguests who sometimes cross the line. For over two decades, cameras have captured everything from shocking expulsions to deeply offensive remarks. These are some of the wildest moments from the show’s history.
A Knife Pulled in the House
During Season 2, contestant Justin Sebik became the first houseguest ever to be expelled from the show. While kissing fellow houseguest Krista Stegall, Sebik picked up a kitchen knife and held it to her throat. Reports indicate he had been warned twice before about his threatening behavior. A producer for the show stated that while the incident was very brief, it was severe enough to warrant immediate removal from the game.
A Violent Outburst Over an Ex
Season 4 featured a twist that brought ex-couples into the house together. This backfired dramatically when Scott Weintraub saw his ex-fiancée, Amanda Craig, nominated for eviction. Weintraub reacted with a violent meltdown, throwing chairs around the house in a fit of rage. His aggressive behavior led producers to eject him from the game during the very first week, proving the twist was a volatile mix with the game’s high stakes.
Racist and Homophobic Remarks
Season 15 is often cited as one of the most controversial seasons. Houseguest Aaryn Gries made numerous racist comments, telling a Black housemate she should be called “Aunt Jemima” and suggesting a Korean-American housemate should “go make some rice.” Other houseguests that season, including GinaMarie Zimmerman, also made racially charged comments. Host Julie Chen Moonves later confronted Gries about her behavior in an eviction interview, where Gries apologized and stated she did not mean to come off as racist.
In Season 13, fan-favorite Jeff Schroeder returned to the game and made homophobic remarks during a conversation about the “Harry Potter” series. He argued that the character Dumbledore should not be gay because he is a school headmaster in a “magical land” with children. The comments were not aired on the broadcast show but were heard on the live feeds. Schroeder has since apologized multiple times, stating he takes full responsibility for his words.
Expelled for Physical Violence
The Hantz family is known for volatile behavior on reality TV. Willie Hantz, brother of Survivor’s Russell Hantz, lived up to this reputation during Season 14. After becoming upset with other houseguests, Hantz head-butted fellow player Joe Arvin. This act of physical violence resulted in his immediate expulsion from the show by producers.
Inappropriate Behavior and Harassment
JC Mounduix from Season 20 engaged in several actions that made viewers and housemates uncomfortable. In one instance, he tried to place an ice cream scooper on a sleeping housemate’s genitals. In another, he kissed a different houseguest’s armpit while they slept. CBS issued him a warning for his conduct. The network stated that the affected houseguests told producers they did not feel threatened or sexually harassed.
A Winner’s Downfall
Adam Jasinski, winner of Season 9, caused controversy both during and after the season. While in the house, he used a derogatory slur for people with intellectual disabilities. After winning $500,000 and promising to donate a portion to charity, his life took a dark turn. The following year, he was arrested for drug trafficking. Reports indicated he used his prize money to fund an oxycodone operation. He was sentenced to four years in federal prison.
Using a Racial Slur on Live Feeds
In Season 25, Luke Valentine was swiftly ejected from the game after using a racial slur in a conversation caught on the show’s live feeds. This made him the first contestant to be specifically removed for using a racial slur. CBS and the show’s producers released a statement confirming his removal, citing their “zero tolerance in the house for using a racial slur.”
Bullying and Ostracizing Houseguests
Taylor Hale from Season 24 was ostracized by nearly the entire house when the season began. As a Black woman, she was wrongly labeled as “aggressive” by other houseguests. Her treatment was called “really disappointing” by a casting producer for the show. Against all odds, Hale not only won the season but was also voted America’s Favorite Player by viewers.
Paul Abrahamian was at the center of bullying accusations during Season 19. They were accused of rallying the house to ostracize specific players. Abrahamian also concocted a plan to wear Blackface at a veto ceremony to confront a Black houseguest, though they ultimately did not go through with it. After the season, they apologized on social media, denying any attempt “to mock a houseguest with racism.”
A Racist Comment Sparks Fear
Also in Season 24, houseguest Kyle Capener voiced a fear that an all-Black alliance was forming, referencing the successful “Cookout” alliance from the previous season. No such alliance existed, and when the other houseguests learned of his concerns, they unanimously voted to evict him. During his exit interview, Capener apologized, saying, “I now realize how terrible that was.”
The show continues to be a social experiment where high-pressure situations can lead to unforgettable and often controversial television.
Also Read: Big Brother UK House Meeting Erupts Over Unwashed Dishes and Housemate Tensions
