The term “show” was formed in the early seasons of Big Brother. It is a combination of the words “show” AND ““romance” as it is used to describe two guests who form a romantic relationship while competing on the show. After first being used in season two, the term has stuck around and is still used on the show over 20 years later.
Over the course of the show’s 25 seasons, there have been numerous romantic relationships that have evolved within the famous house. While most of them quickly ended after the houseguests returned to real life, some of these love stories have turned into very successful relationships. In fact, there have even been a few marriages and Big Brother children born from what was once a little adventure born on a reality show.
Big Brother
- Release date
- July 5, 2000
- Creator
- John de Mol, Ron Diesel
- Launch
- Julie Chen Moonves, Clayton Halsey, Nicole Franzel, George Boswell, Daniele Donato, Janelle Pierzina
- Seasons
- 25
- Study
- The CBS
8 Jordan Lloyd and Jeff Schroeder
Seasons 11 and 13
One of the first Big Brother showmance that turned into a successful real-life relationship were Jordan Lloyd and Jeff Schroeder. Jordan and Jeff first met when they competed together on the show’s eleventh season. At the conclusion of the season, Jordan went home a winner in more ways than one. Not only did she find love on the show, but the judges also voted her the winner of the season. After continuing their relationship off the show at the conclusion of the season, the couple returned to Big Brother house to compete for the second time during Season 13. This rematch was quite different, as they now played as a duo instead of individual matches. While Jordan did not break the record by becoming the first two-time winner, Jeff is the only Big Brother player to ever win America’s Favorite Player Award in two different seasons.
After their time inside the Big Brother home, Jeff and Jordan continued to compete in The incredible race together. Then, in 2014, Jeff and Jordan returned to the Big Brother house to host a competition for season 16. As they walked back to where they first met, Jeff got down on one knee to ask Jordan to marry him. The couple tied the knot two years later in 2016. Later that year, they welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Lawson. Two years later, the couple welcomed Lawson into the world with a little brother named Layton.
While reality TV competition may be a thing of the past for the couple, they are still no strangers to being in front of the camera. For a while now, Jeff has been working as a news anchor while Jordan stays home to take care of their boys. Just last December, Jordan returned to Big Brother house to be one of the three guests for Big Brother Reindeer Games. The couple also recently started a podcast together called “Together mess.”
7 Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly
Seasons 12 and 13
Another of the most iconic love stories was that between Big Brother legend Rachel Reilly and Brendon Villegas. Similar to Jeff and Jordan, Rachel and Brendon competed together on two seasons of the show. They first met during season 12 before returning the following summer to compete as a duo alongside Jeff and Jordan in season 13. This time, Rachel took home the top prize after being crowned the season winner. Rachel has returned home numerous times to host competitions, but never to play again. Together, the pair competed on two seasons of The incredible racecoming in third place in both. Most recently, in 2023, Rachel competed in a brand new reality show, The Traitorsalong with former winner Cody Calafiore.
On Valentine’s Day 2011, Brendon got down on one knee to propose to Rachel. A year later, the couple tied the knot in a lavish wedding where Rachel made her grand entrance via helicopter. Four years later, in 2016, Brendon and Rachel began their family together when they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Adora. Then, in 2020, Rachel gave birth to their second child, a baby boy named Adler. It was because of this pregnancy that Rachel ultimately had to turn down the opportunity to compete on Big Brother: All StarsAccording to her Instagram bio, Rachel now works as a casting agent while Brendon has continued his career in the medical field.
6 Daniel Donato and Dominic Briones
Season 13
Another couple coming out of Big Brother season 13 were Daniele Donato and Dominic Briones. This was Daniele’s second time competing on the show, while it was Dominic’s first. Daniele had returned to the game to compete as a couple with her estranged father “Evil” Dick Donato, who she was forced to reunite with during season 8. Going into season 13, Daniele had a boyfriend back home, but eventually began to develop feelings for Dominic inside the house. Daniele later returned to the game to compete in Big Brother: All Stars in 2020.
Although they never became an official showmance, it was quite obvious that the two had strong feelings for each other. So much so that they continued their relationship outside of the game at the end of the season. Not long after leaving the game, Dominic proposed to Daniele. The couple then married in 2013. The couple lived in the newlywed phase for almost five years until they started a family. The couple now has two daughters, Tennessee and Lux.
5 Victor Arroyo and Nicole Franzel
Season 18
Similar to Daniele and Dominic, Victor Arroyo and Nicole Franzel were not technically in a showmance during season 18. In fact, Nicole was in a showmance with Corey Brooks; however, she and Victor developed a close friendship. This was Nicole’s second time competing on the show. After playing for the first time during season 16, Nicole was one of four players to return for a second chance during season 18. After taking home the grand prize, Nicole and Victor continued their friendship in the real world before turning things into romance. Nicole and Victor returned to the famous house during season 20, during which Victor proposed in the famous backyard. While engaged, the couple competed on The incredible race together. They came in fourth place on the show.
Nicole and Victor ultimately had to postpone their wedding due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, Nicole returns to the game for the All the stars season of the show. Just a month after finishing in third place, Nicole and Victor announced that they were expecting their first child together. The couple finally tied the knot in March of the following year before welcoming their son into the world in July. While Victor works in law enforcement in their home state of Michigan, Nicole recently returned to reality TV to compete and ultimately win Big Brother Reindeer Games.
4 Jessica Graf and Cody Nickson
Season 19
During the first few days of Big Brother 19Jessica Graf and Cody Nickson had an instant connection. Hated and bullied by almost the entire house, the couple stuck together throughout their competition together. Cody eventually won America’s Favorite Player at the end of the season. The following year, the couple competed on The incredible race together and emerged victorious from the season. That same year, Cody proposed to Jessica.
After a quick engagement, Cody and Jessica said “I do” in October 2018. They have since had four daughters together. Their youngest daughter, Gemma, was born last December. In addition to starting a family together since their reality TV days, Jessica has opened her own clothing boutique while Cody has launched his weight-loss program.
3 Swaggy C and Bayleigh Dayton
Season 20
During the 2018 season 20 finale, Chris “Swaggy C” Williams proposed to his showmance partner, Bayleigh Dayton. The two had a close relationship while competing on the show; however, Swaggy was evicted before the judging panel while Bayleigh made it to the judging panel. As a result, the two went a long time without seeing each other until the shocking proposal. Despite this, Bayleigh’s feelings were strong enough for her to say yes to the proposal.
A few months after the conclusion of the Big Brother 20Swaggy and Bayleigh secretly married in February 2019. In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Alora. Then, the couple kicked off the new year 2024 by welcoming their baby boy, whom they named Swaggy, into the world. After their time on Big Brother, the couple resided in Texas; however. However, they have since moved the family to Dubai, where Bayleigh began modeling.
2 Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss
Season 23
Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss are another shocking couple to come out of a season of Big Brother. The two were very close friends while competing together on season 23 of the show. Fans were shocked when they announced they were dating just a month after the season concluded.
The two allegedly became very close while together in the jury house, which initially sparked romantic feelings. In 2022, the couple competed in The incredible race together. They ultimately took home the grand prize of one million dollars at the end of the season.
1 America Lopez and Wurtenberger
Season 25
The most recent showmance to continue a relationship outside the house was that of America Lopez and Cory Wurtenberger. Both America and Cory were huge fans of the show before competing on season 25 of the show. After forming a showmance together, the two were nearly inseparable.
Then, when their allies, Jag Bains and Matt Klotz, caught them off guard, hitting them both with a back door, America was left heartbroken as she watched her man walk out of the house. It didn’t take long for America to join Cory in the jury house. The pair have been going strong since he left the game nearly three months ago.
READ MORE: ‘Big Brother’ Shouldn’t Recruit Actors For Season 26