It‘s my favorite time of the year. It’s Big Brother season, and the cast for the 27th season has officially been revealed. Last season was a major success as far as gameplay and entertainment go, so I’m very excited to see what this season has to offer.
With the reveal, Big Brother also dropped their preseason interviews. With those, I’ll be giving my cast assessment and who I think will do well and who I think are in trouble already. Let’s meet the cast of Big Brother 27!
Adrian Rocha
Age: 23
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Occupation: Carpenter
Analysis: Adrian is definitely all over the place. He seems very energetic and confident, calling himself ready to be “the greatest of all time.” There is a bit of a cocky swagger to him, calling himself “king” and whatnot, but, he is a superfan of the game. He loves the strategic and social dynamic of the game and mentioned that he is a fan of the drama and that blindsides are all a part of Big Brother. His strategy early on is to build connections with everyone, then go on to a strategic style of gameplay, and then finish it off with physical competitions. As mentioned, Adrian has A LOT of confidence. While at times that’s a good trait to have, I have a strong feeling that his over “preparedness” may cost him.
Placement Prediction: Pre-Jury. Adrian exits the game early on as his personality rubs people the wrong way.
Amy Bingham
Age: 43
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Occupation: Insurance Agent
Analysis: Amy is this season’s oldest female houseguest. Across the new era of seasons (23-26), the older woman contestants have been iconic. Tiffany, Felicia, and Angela are all prime examples. Amy is definitely all about girl power. She wants to work with the women to get the guys out and would love to be in an all-women’s alliance. Unfortunately for Amy, this is reminiscent of a lot of things past contestants have said, and they’ve gone out earlier because of it (Ex: Joey from BB16). She also views herself as more of a hero than a villain. Additionally, it did come across that she was more of a newer fan rather than an OG.
Placement Prediction: Pre-Jury. I like Amy. I like her personality, the look, everything about her. But this type of strategy has not worked well for many people, and I think she may fall victim to that. Rooting for the best, though!
Ashley Hollis
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Attorney
Analysis: I loved Ashley’s energy in her interview. She has a great head on her shoulders, she’s a competitor, and I can see a lot of similarities that she possesses to some past great players in the game. Attorneys and people who have those types of occupations have also done extremely well in recent seasons. I dug a lot of the answers she gave, especially about how when she sees a set of facts, she knows how to take them, spit them out in her favor, and convince others that what she’s saying is the only right way. She calls herself a “Strategy Assassin,” and it’s looking like she may live up to that bill in the house.
She’s also extremely well spoken, and I can definitely see her manipulating many houseguests. She’s also a big fan of the game and even mentioned a winner like Andy, whose gameplay is often overlooked due to the controversial season he was on. If I had to pick a negative, it’s that she said her weakness is being an empath, which could be tough in situations where you have to cut people off that you may have had a close bond with. Maybe that can be a problem, but I doubt it.
Placement Prediction: Potential Winner. Ashley used to be a pageant girl, and just like Taylor, who was a pageant girl and won the game, I think she has what it takes to win. If I’m looking into the future, Ashley walking out onto the stage with the confetti in her favor may come to reality.
Ava Pearl
Age: 24
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Occupation: Aura Painter
Analysis: I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to like Ava as much as I did in her preseason interview. She wants to be the villain (I love villains), and she has this personality about her that even if she doesn’t go far, she should be an entertaining enough character on the show. She’s definitely relying a lot on being able to “read people’s auras” in the house. I wish she had elaborated more on some things, as a lot of her answers were pretty similar and quick. But, I think the potential is there and she has the most memorable quote from this entire collection of interviews, saying, “all the guys I like could not pass the background check to get in here.” Expect Ava’s journey to at least be a good time with her gogo boots on.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Pre-Jury. I would like to see her go far, but I’m leaning toward Ava being a late pre-juror boot. If she sticks to her villain status, though, maybe she’ll be kept around longer.
Cliffton “Will” Williams
Age: 50
Hometown: Wallace, SC
Occupation: College Sports Podcaster
Analysis: Will wants to become the oldest player to ever win Big Brother, and I gotta say, I think he’s got a shot. His answers were informative, and he has a lot of positive winner qualities. He’ll rely on the fact that he’s a good relationship and team builder, and that he’s able to fit in whatever situation he puts himself in. In turn, he’s able to pivot more effectively. I really enjoyed his energy, a good mixture of calm and excited, and I like how he took some shots at the past houseguests who are known to be groaners or complainers. Another thing that should help him in the game is his 22 years in the army. He won’t be afraid of anything.
Placement Prediction: Jury. I’m remaining optimistic on Will’s chances to make some noise this season. There’s been good success recently of players who are older going far.
Isaiah “Zae” Frederich
Age: 23
Hometown: Paducah, KY
Occupation: Salesperson
Analysis: I’m getting some Mark Jensen vibes from Big Brother 19. Zae has a lot of energy but said he has no strategy entering the house. Despite that, I do like how he mentioned that he would take on the role as a hero in the house because of jury management and understanding how that side of the game works. He’s definitely at least somewhat knowledgeable of the game. He’s also not looking for a showmance, so any type of distraction like that should be out of the way for him. I’m not sure about his winner potential, but I like what he has to offer, and I think the rest of the houseguests will gravitate toward him as an ally.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Jury. He looks like he could be a physical threat so maybe that comes into play, but I think his social game will be one of the strongest in the house, at least early on.
Jimmy Heagerty
Age: 25
Hometown: Sarasota, NY
Occupation: AI Consultant
Analysis: Jimmy is loud. Thankfully for him, though, there are a few others that seem to have that loud persona checked off, too. He’s definitely a strategic mind and is very steadfast in his approach to the game. He’s not there for the experience; he’s there to win. Jimmy also said that in his mind, he would like to be more of a villain (automatic bonus for me), and he tells it how it is. I could see his mouth getting him in trouble. He’s definitely more of a messy archetype, but I can see him being a shield for people because of that, and at least early on, I don’t see him being viewed as too much of a threat.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Jury. He falls under the same boat as Ava but I think he’ll have just a slightly better social game than her, pushing him to the jury.
Katherine Woodman
Age: 23
Hometown: Gwinnett County, GA
Occupation: Fine Dining Server
Analysis: Katherine has a Public Relations background, which I think will do her nicely in the game. She wants to be everyone’s friend, but she doesn’t want to be too obvious with that approach. I like that she can see that potential challenge. I’m worried that she will end up in a showmance as she does mention she is open to the possibility, and I can definitely see that happening. I hope that’s not the case, as I think she has tons of potential in the game to be a low-key threat.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Jury. I’m gonna remain hopeful that if she’s in a showmance, she’ll be the beneficiary.
Keanu Soto
Age: 33
Hometown: Miami, FL
Occupation: Dungeon Master
Analysis: He’s very calm and he has this nerdy archetype about him that I think can benefit him. I am worried that he will be perceived as a major physical threat, but, as he says in his own words, he sees himself as a chameleon. Maybe he can blend in just enough to avoid that perception. A strength of his includes being able to connect with people but with that, comes his weakness in being too trusting. I don’t know about y’all, but I can just envision a blindside happening to him when he least expects it early on. For his sake, I hope not.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Pre-Jury. If he can survive the first few weeks, then I think he can be set up well long-term, but I just don’t see that happening.
Kelley Jorgensen
Age: 29
Hometown: Burbank, SD
Occupation: Web Designer
Analysis: Kelley has the quirky character going on for sure. The major thing I took away from her preseason interview is that she’s just there to make friends. I really didn’t see too much of a spark from an in-game perspective. She also doesn’t have too much of a plan heading in, and she’s only seen one or two seasons of the show. Maybe she can adapt quickly and blend in with more of the bigger personalities in the cast. That would be her best bet.
Placement Prediction: Pre-Jury. I struggle to find a strong reason as to why she’d go the distance.
Lauren Domingue
Age: 22
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Occupation: Bridal Consultant
Analysis: I’m a little iffy on her chances. I think she has potential, but I didn’t get super much out of her. She does have a plan on being low-key early on and she is a super fan, so that’s a plus. She’s got a competitive drive, but her weakness is being too empathetic. Again, I’m worried she could be in a showmance, and she isn’t opposed to it. If she isn’t, I think she can use her observer and listener strategy to the best of her abilities.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Jury. I think she’s got a good head on her shoulders and will do what’s necessary to make it to at least the jury stage.
Mickey Lee
Age: 35
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Occupation: Event Curator
Analysis: She’s confident but not cocky like how Adrian came off. She has winner energy and will do whatever it takes to win. Her strategy is to be a girl’s girl, everyone’s friend early on, and wants to invest in others. I really dug the way she put that. She’s not a super fan but locked into the show since BB23 and BB24. This is just a gut feeling, but I think there is no way she is an early boot. She carries herself exceptionally well, and I think she has all the tools necessary to win.
Placement Prediction: Jury/Potential Winner. Lock in that jury placement, and I see her making it to at least the top 6.
Morgan Pope
Age: 33
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA
Occupation: Gamer
Analysis: There are a lot of things I like about Morgan. She’s got a really nice energy to her. She’s nerdy, and I think her being a gamer is going to pay dividends in the game. She also won’t be open with the fact that she is a gamer, which I think is a smart move. She is open to a showmance, but I think her eyes are on the prize. I can see social game written all over her, and I think she’s going to be an under-the-radar player.
Placement Prediction: Jury/Potential Winner. For sure a member of the jury, but I could see her social game being so good that she cements herself in position to be the winner of the season.
Rylie Jeffries
Age: 27
Hometown: Luther, OK
Occupation: Professional Bull Rider
Analysis: Most of his answers were pretty long-winded, but he does say he considers himself a super fan. His family members are big fans of the show. He mentioned that his weakness is a pretty woman making him believe anything she says. Uh-oh. Our resident cowboy of the season might do well in comps, but I don’t think he has that fire in him to turn it up on a social and strategic level to advance in the game.
Placement Prediction: Pre-Jury. I think he’ll be all misted by the women in the game and is out early on.
Vince Panaro
Age: 34
Hometown: West Hills, CA
Occupation: Unemployed
Analysis: Big fan of the game, and I loved his answer when he said he’d compartmentalize the game down into weekly mini-games. I also like how he noted he’s the “master of none” but pretty good at just about everything. I feel like the players who embody this strength typically do well in the game, so I have high hopes. Also, he’s unemployed and is there strictly for the money. He’s got a huge drive to go out there and play hard just from that alone.
Placement Prediction: Potential Winner. I see a world where Vince is crowned the winner of “Big Brother 27.”
Zach Cornell
Age: 27
Hometown: Cartersville, GA
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Analysis: Getting major showmance vibes here. I think he will be a comp threat, but he hopes to play up the “Pastor’s kid” bit in the beginning. Maybe that can ride him into the sunset for a little bit of time. He’s got a lot of confidence in himself and is able to start conversations easily.
Placement Prediction: Leaning Pre-Jury. I honestly see him as the legit final member of the pre-jury, shades of Tucker from last season.
What’s To Come
Be aware, there is a mystery 17th houseguest on the cast. The speculation is that former winner of Big Brother 13, Rachel Reilly, will be stepping into the house to play for a third time. If this is true, I see her making at least the jury portion of the game. She’ll definitely be an interesting wrinkle to add to the cast.
Big Brother 27 kicks off on Thursday, July 10, at 8 p.m. EST. The series will once again be hosted by Julie Chen Moonves and air on CBS. More importantly, Big Brother live feeds will begin this Sunday on July 13.
