The Biggest Scandals In Big Brother History
"Big Brother," a reality television series that has contestants, or "houseguests," compete for a grand prize of $500,000, has been on the air since the year 2000, (via IMDb). When you sequester a group of strangers in a house with 24/7 cameras and microphones watching their every move, there's bound to be tension.
While this show has had its fair share of controversy and scandal, it all started back in Season 2 when contestant Justin Sebik was removed from the game after holding a knife to another Houseguest's throat, (via Screen Rant). After multiple instances of violent behavior, such as smashing glass bottles, urinating on a window, and threatening to punch another houseguest, his latest incident shouldn't have come as a surprise, (via Cinema Blend).
After kissing fellow houseguest Krista Stegall, Sebik pulled a knife out of the kitchen drawer, held it to her throat and asked, "Would you get mad if I killed you now?" (via EW.com). Although Sebik claims to have been joking, producers pulled him from the game choosing to err on the side of caution.
Willie Hantz headbutts another Houseguest
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the uncle of one of CBS "Survivor"'s most dramatically eliminated contestants, is also surrounded by his own personal cloud of controversy, (via Cheat Sheet). Willie Hantz of "Big Brother" Season 14 is one of only four houseguests ever expelled from the show and one of three due to physical violence, (via Cinema Blend).
According to US Weekly, Hantz was expelled after headbutting fellow contestant Joe Arvin. Similar to Sebik, this blowout was led up to by several instances of aggravations such as throwing food at houseguests and calling them names. While you can pretty much get away with any verbal abuse on "Big Brother," the minute things turn physical, the producers step in.
Hantz got in Arvin's face in the bathroom and both men squared off with their chests out, however, it's Hantz who delivered the first blow, (via Big Brother Network). He shoved Arvin in the chest with his head and production immediately called for the two men to separate. Shortly after, Hantz was permanently removed from the game. Perhaps CBS should stop casting Hantz men in their programming.
Adam Jasinski is known as the winner who lost it all
Shortly after winning "Big Brother" Season 9, Adam Jasinski was sentenced to four years in federal prison for drug trafficking and tax evasion, (via The Fix). However, the controversy began inside the "Big Brother" house. During the show, Jasinski, who at the time worked for the United Autism Foundation, referred to autistic children as "r****ds," (via NY Post). While unknown to Jasinski at the time, the foundation announced his termination while he was sequestered, (via HuffPost).
According to the NY Daily News, when another houseguest called out Jasinski's usage of the slur, he claimed he could call children with autism whatever he wanted since he worked with them. Despite these comments, he still ended up winning the season.
After the show, scandal followed Jasinski. After failing to report his $500,000 winnings from "Big Brother," he was arrested after flying to Boston carrying 2,000 oxycodone pills hidden in a sock, (via The Fix). While the Season 9 winner has since served his sentence and gone to rehab, it's fair to assume he won't be offered a job working for any autism advocacy groups anytime soon.
There were multiple incidents of sexual harassment
"Big Brother" is no stranger to sexual harassment or violence against women. From unwanted comments to inappropriate physical actions, Frank Eudy was at the center of this in Season 18, (via TV Insider). According to Mic.com, Eudy fat shamed women in the house, touched their stomachs, and made derogatory comments about another contestant's moustache and nipples.
However, the biggest outrage was when Eudy slapped houseguest Da'Vonne Rogers' butt after calling her a slut earlier in the day. Rogers broke out in sobs stating that she didn't want her young daughter to see that or to think that Eudy's actions were acceptable.
In Season 19, Jason Dent not only made rape jokes about another contestant's wife, but said he would tie up that same contestant's daughters and make them watch, (via TMZ.com). The sexual harassment continued in Season 20 with contestant, JC Mounduix, who used an ice cream scooper on several of his fellow Houseguest's genitals and, according to US Weekly, made light of the #MeToo movement.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Racism was rampant in the Big Brother house
While Season 21 of "Big Brother" was full of racist controversy, the house has been marred with racist comments for years. "Big Brother" Season 8 contestant Amber Siyavus Tomcavage made anti-semitic comments, which included calling Jewish people selfish and claiming you can tell who is Jewish by their nose or last name, (via Digital Spy).
Season 15's infamous contestant, Aaryn Gries, made many racist and homophobic comments towards her fellow houseguests, (via Screen Rant), while GinaMarie Zimmerman was fired from her job after saying the word "n***a" and making comments about the other houseguest's ethnicities, (via Hollywood Reporter).
However, Season 21 will be remembered as one of the most volatile seasons in the show's history after Jackson Michie was accused of racism, bullying, and misogyny shortly before winning the $500,000 grand prize, (via Oprah Daily). One houseguest, David Alexander, was the subject of many racist comments shared by Michie on the live feeds, such as assuming Alexander, who is Black, could have been in prison.
Michie's ally and friend, Jack Matthews, was also under scrutiny after saying that he wanted to "stomp a mudhole" through contestant Kemi Fakunle's chest, (via EW.com). And while Michie and Matthews were not the only contestants that season to make racist comments about their fellow houseguests, the show's decision not to include these remarks in the broadcast is often questioned as houseguests seem to quickly forget they're on camera.
If you or a loved one has experienced a hate crime, contact the VictimConnect Hotline by phone at 1-855-4-VICTIM or by chat for more information or assistance in locating services to help. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.