Author: Brian Porreca

September 15, 2015 7:08pm PT by Brian Porreca

 CBS

THR talks to the former pro wrestler Austin about being betrayed by Vanessa and leaving his girlfriend for Liz.

The biggest blindside of Big Brother 17 left Austin and Judas sent out the front door with not even enough time to grab their shoes. Before the former professional wrestler entered the Big Brother house he told The Hollywood Reporter about his view on showmances saying, “showmances are the death of you in the game.” Now, moments after his eviction and before he was locked up in the jury house Austin talks to THR again about his change of heart, leaving his girlfriend for Liz, the blindside by Vanessa, and the turtle neck he’ll wear to the Nolan family dinner. 

(Disclosure: Because the nine-person jury is underway, houseguests will now answer questions via email from THR. It’s stipulated that questions cannot in any way be a potential interference to the game and are required to be approved by production before given to the houseguests.)

You seemed in total shock when you walked out of the house – completely blindsided.  What was going through your head at that moment?

Vanessa completely betrayed me.  I knew it was a possibility because it’s Big Brother, but her whole game was about playing with integrity and not betraying me since we made a final two deal on the second day.  She swore to me on her family, her girlfriend, the LGBT community and the Bible and she’ll have to deal with those consequences of making those pledges and going back on it. Then, I thought about Liz.  I felt so bad that she would have to stay in that environment.  Her heart is too good to play with people like this and I can’t be there to protect her.  That’s the hardest part for me. 

Jace made a comment in the beginning of the game that Liz was hot and you said, “I don’t think so obviously I have a girlfriend I’m in love with.” What happened to the love for your girlfriend that made you leave her for Liz?

Obviously with Jace, nothing we say to each was serious.  I was being facetious when I said she wasn’t attractive.  Part of me talking openly about my girlfriend in the house was about strategy.  The truth is, that my girlfriend and I were in a rocky place.  I knew this game would most  likely be the divide that ended our relationship one way or another.  I still never imagined being involved in a showmance but overtime, getting to know Liz as a person, we connected in a way I never connected with someone and we fell in love.  I don’t regret it because it’s the best thing I’m taking away from this experience. 

You told me before you entered the house that you wouldn’t have a showmance because you have a girlfriend and “showmances are the death of you in this game.” What made you change your mind?

I did not change my mind.  My heart just took over my body.  I fell in love, I’m not afraid to say it and I don’t think it was the death of me in this game, I think it’s what kept me alive.

What did you think about Zingbot’s zing to Liz?

I was very angry about it because before Liz would even consider progressing our relationship, I had to talk to her, on camera, in front of the live feeds and tell her exactly where I stood personally with my girlfriend.  That the situation was very rocky and we were moving in different directions.  Liz was always hesitant about doing anything that would be perceived negatively by America.  When she got that zing, I was very hurt for her since she never did anything wrong.  I never wanted to break up with a girlfriend on TV, but if we had denied the feelings that we had, we both would have regretted that. 

If your girlfriend played Big Brother, and left you for someone in the house how would you have felt?

I would have been hurt, humiliated, angry and anything else you can think of.  I hate that I did that to her, personally.  My decision to move on in my life was very complicated, there was a lot going on that people don’t know about the relationship and in the high pressurized situation that is Big Brother, feelings develop quickly and you don’t know how long you’re going to be there.  I wish it could have happened a different way but my entire life I have followed my heart and I wasn’t going to stop now. 

 How do you think your showmance with Liz compares to past Big Brother showmances and do you think you could get married?

I would like to think that it compares well with past showmances.  We survived a very long time in the house.  Viewers saw the relationship grow from flirting to more intimate moments and it was all genuine.  I don’t think we were the perfect Jeff and Jordan couple, we were more of a gritty, raw, “Brenchel” kind of couple.  I hope people enjoyed it.  As far as marriage goes, I don’t think either Liz or myself is looking at that right now, but never say never. 

What are you bringing to the Nolan residence for Christmas dinner that will impress Liz’s parents?

Probably a turtle neck, gloves and anything else that will hide my tattoos.  But in all seriousness, bringing my heart that is 100% in love with their daughter. 

If her parents ask you to shave your ponytail beard, will you?

Yes.

You have a lot of tattoos. Will you be getting a Big Brother tattoo and what will it be of?

Well, I already have a silhouette on my ankle of the Big Brother house.  So maybe, I’ll fill it in? Or, if I stay bitter, maybe I’ll cover it up. 

Would you get a Big Brother tattoo? What did you think of what Austin said before the game? Do you think Liz’s parents will make him shave the ponytail beard? Sound off in the comments below and stay tuned to The Live Feed for all things Big Brother. 

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September 15, 2015 6:30pm PT by Brian Porreca

 Courtesy of CBS

A huge curveball wittled down five to the final four and left one houseguest heartbroken.

“It’s time to throw a curve ball at the houseguests,” host Julie Chen says of the surprise eviction episode. “It’s time to blindside them with the news,” she added. A surprise was brought to the house as the final five quickly transformed into the final four. With $500,000 on the line anything goes and professional poker player Vanessa decided to make the biggest blindside of the summer leaving the newest evicted houseguest not even enough time to get his shoes. 

Here are the stand out moments from the biggest blindside of the season: 

Life in pieces. The summer staple made a plug for CBS’ new show Life in Pieces. The “Power of Veto” competition was a puzzle to put pieces of the Life in Pieces promo poster together and for some houseguests (Vanessa) they were eliminated within seconds. The biggest puzzle to put together though was whether Johnny Mac would really throw the competition risking his fate in the game. “Either Johnny Mac has lost his marbles or he’s become one with Judas,” said Austin of Johnny Mac’s pitch to throw  him and Liz the “Power of Veto.” The rock star dentist realized the only way he could remain safe was by putting another veto medallion around his neck, but what was he really thinking by even offering to throw it?

A swim to finale night. Grab a paddle. “I don’t even know who I’m mad at I’m just mad,” Vanessa says in the diary room. In total in tonight’s episode the Vegas resident was caught crying on three different occasions. “Cry your eyes out Vanessa. Cry your f— eyes out,” Steve laughed about her endless tears throughout the game. She even cried after she blindsided Austin, more so than his showmance Liz.  Those tears have secured her spot in final four, but will she drown before she can get to finale night? Also does she like the word “deal” more than she likes to cry?

A barefoot blindside. “It’s time for some blood people!” Johnny Mac says when he votes to evict Austin. Ultimately it was Vanessa who made the vote to send her ally out the door, which brought out Judas on his way out.  “There’s zero chance she’s going to win the game,” he scoffed at Vanessa on his way out telling Chen, “She didn’t have to scumbag me to do it. She chose to Judas, Judas.” Although he walked out the door without his shoes he still tried to remain bold and beautiful. Well, he seemed overly confident that he’ll appear on the daytime soap Bold and the Beautiful as past Big Brother houseguests have done after the show. Will him and Judas make the cut?

Derrick doesn’t live here anymore. Last season’s winner Derrick was a clear front runner from the beginning of the game. This season, although she sports a beanie Vanessa is no Derrick. She did have a hand in almost every eviction this summer, but for the first time in a long time for Big Brother, each of the final four houseguests seem to have an equal shot of winning the game. It will all come down to tomorrow night’s eviction, but after the final three is determined anyone has a shot of walking away with the grand prize.

Were you shocked by Austin’s eviction? Do you recommend he wear shoes next time? What did you think of all Vanessa’s tears? Chat about it in the comments section below and stay tuned to all things Big Brother. 

The Big Brother season finale airs Wednesday September 23 at 9:30 pm on CBS.

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September 11, 2015 1:22pm PT by Brian Porreca

 Courtesy of CBS

A day after her eviction, Julia talks to THR about her ‘Big Brother’ journey.

She came in as Liz, left as Julia and is now the sixth juror of Big Brother season 17.

This season brought back two old twists from season’s past. One was the “Battle of the Block” first introduced last season and the other was the “Twin Twist” that fans first witnessed in season five. The difference this season? After both twins entered the game they were able to survive seven evictions. Even with Julia on the block last week, the houseguests still didn’t take a shot at the womb mates from Miami.

Both twins could not escape the block this week and although Julia walked out the front door, they still left their mark on the game by convincing the other houseguests to keep in the stronger twin, who still has a shot at the half million dollar prize. A day after her eviction, the first evicted twin talks to The Hollywood Reporter about her run in the Big Brother house and whether Liz and Austin will outlast Shelli and Clay. 

(Disclosure: Because the nine-person jury is underway, houseguests will now answer questions via email from THR. It’s stipulated that questions cannot in an way be a potential interference to the game and are required to be approved by production before given to the houseguests.)

The houseguests caught on that you and Liz were twins, why don’t you think they ever targeted you earlier on?

After we told some of the houseguests, we then had people looking out for us.  I think our alliance wanted to use us as an asset that would help their game because we brought an additional number.

Liz had a showmance with Austin, out of all the houseguests was there anyone you wanted a showmance with?

No, I didn’t have a connection with anyone on that level. 

You said in the house that a girl like you would never date a guy like Steve what did you mean by that?

He’s younger than me and I tend to date older, more mature guys. 

What do you think about Austin leaving his girlfriend for Liz?

I was definitely skeptical about him in the beginning because he came into the house having a girlfriend.  However, once he started to like Liz, his story kind of changed.  We’ll never know the entire truth until we get out of the house, but he officially asked my sister to be his girlfriend so it looks like his mind is made up. 

Austin said he’s coming for Christmas dinner what makes him someone that your parents will approve of for your sister?

He’s a nice guy, has his master’s degree, had a successful career and has many great things going for him.  However, my parents do not like tattoos and so I’m interested in hearing what they have to say about his eccentric body art. 

There were two big showmances this season out of Liz and Austin and Shelli and Clay who has the best shot at staying together? Why?

By a landslide, Austin and Liz!! Not to sound mean, but there is too much of an age difference with Shelli and Clay and I think they are at different points in their lives right now.  

In the beginning of the game what was the hardest part about switching back and forth with Liz for the twin twist?

The most challenging part was knowing the right information in such a short amount of time.  There were a lot of smaller details we didn’t always go over.  We always spent too much time talking about the game and alliances.  Not being able to be my true self and having to act like Liz was also hard. 

You and Liz took over the game as the Twin Twist, what do you hope to take over next when the show is over?

Amazing Race, obviously!! 🙂 Also, we’d love to start our own business since we make a great team.  I believe we will be successful in whatever we decide to do!

Will Liz and Austin outlast Shelli and Clay? Do you want to see the twins on The Amazing Race? Do you think the houseguests should have targeted the twins sooner? Sound off in the comments below and stay tuned to The Live Feed for all things Big Brother. 

Big Brother airs Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on CBS. 

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