Former Big Brother houseguest Aaryn Williams is revisiting one of the show’s most controversial moments as she prepares to return to reality television.
Aaryn, who competed as Aaryn Gries on Big Brother 15 in 2013, addresses her past racist and homophobic remarks in a new preview for Bravo’s upcoming series, Small Town Trouble: Texas.
The former houseguest acknowledges that her behavior on Big Brother reflected who she was at the time, rather than simply being a mistake. She also discusses her upbringing, the impact of the controversy, and how her views have changed over the years.
The new series premieres on November 18, bringing Aaryn back to television more than 13 years after her controversial appearance on CBS.
Aaryn Williams reflects on her Big Brother 15 controversy
In a preview released by Bravo on November 6, Aaryn discusses her past with her husband, Nick Williams. She recalls warning Nick “Don’t google me” when they first began dating.
Nick explains that he had already gotten to know her before learning about her controversial appearance on Big Brother. He describes her behavior on the CBS reality competition as a terrible mistake.
However, Aaryn disagrees with that characterization. “It was actually who I was,” she admits.
Aaryn explains that it took years to recognize how deeply her prejudices were ingrained and how many people she had hurt with her comments.
“It is my biggest regret in my life,” she says.
The admission marks a notable contrast with her initial response to the controversy in 2013, when she suggested that some of her remarks had been taken out of context.
What happened to Aaryn on Big Brother 15?
Aaryn became one of the most controversial houseguests in Big Brother history during Season 15.
Throughout the summer of 2013, comments she made about fellow contestants sparked widespread criticism. Her remarks included racist statements about Candice Stewart and Helen Kim, as well as a homophobic comment concerning Andy Herren.
The controversy extended beyond the Big Brother house, with viewers condemning the remarks and her modeling agency cutting ties with her.
Aaryn was eventually evicted in eighth place by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
When she exited the house, she was greeted by boos from the studio audience.
Host Julie Chen Moonves confronted Aaryn about her comments during the live eviction interview, quoting several of her statements.
Aaryn apologized for offending people but also claimed that some of her comments had been taken out of context. Her response drew laughter from members of the studio audience.
The season remains one of the franchise’s most discussed installments because of the offensive behavior displayed by several contestants.
Aaryn discusses her upbringing and family
In the new Bravo preview, Aaryn also talks about the environment in which she grew up. She alleges that her late father raised her with racist beliefs and says she wanted to make him proud during her time on Big Brother.
Aaryn recalls an incident in which her father allegedly refused to share photographs from her prom because her date was Black. She explains that recognizing the influence of her upbringing was part of a longer process of confronting her past behavior.
Aaryn and Nick married in 2015 and have four daughters together. Looking ahead, she says she wants to raise her children differently and support them regardless of who they become.
She also believes the public criticism of her behavior played a role in helping her challenge the prejudices she grew up around. According to Aaryn, without being confronted about her remarks, she might not have been the person to break that cycle within her family.
Big Brother fans react to Aaryn’s return to reality television
Aaryn’s casting on Small Town Trouble: Texas has already generated debate among reality television viewers. Some Big Brother fans have criticized Bravo for giving her another television platform after the controversy surrounding Season 15.
Others have expressed a willingness to see whether she has changed since her appearance on the CBS competition. The discussion raises a familiar question in reality television: How should audiences respond when a controversial former contestant returns to the spotlight years later?
Aaryn’s new comments represent a more direct acknowledgment of her past behavior, although viewers will ultimately decide how they respond to her return. It also remains to be seen how much of the controversy will be explored throughout the new series.
What is Small Town Trouble: Texas?
Bravo’s new reality series follows five women and their husbands or partners in Boerne, Texas. The cast includes Aaryn Williams, Annari Uys, Gabby Hernandez Huffman, Alli McAnelly, and Hailey Head.
The show explores relationships, friendships, family dynamics, and personal secrets in a community known for its traditional small-town atmosphere. Aaryn appears alongside her husband, Nick, as the couple navigates family life and the relationships surrounding their social circle.
Small Town Trouble: Texas premieres Wednesday, November 18, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo with a two-hour episode. Episodes will also be available on Peacock the following day.
For longtime Big Brother viewers, Aaryn’s involvement adds another layer of interest to the new series.
More than a decade after her controversial summer in the Big Brother house, Aaryn is returning to reality television with an opportunity to address the behavior that made her a widely criticized figure in the franchise’s history.
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