(Fwrd Axis) — Big Brother premiered its 24th season last week and since the season began, fans and past contestants have been speaking out over the treatment of houseguest Taylor Hale.
Hale, a former pageant queen, has been the target for Paloma Aguilar and other houseguests. Hale has been repeatedly referred to as “aggressive” and others have said the fear she will have a tantrum if she doesn’t get her away.
On the live feeds, viewers have seen Hale crying alone in the bathroom, and some cast members have said that they didn’t like her from the moment they saw her. Prior to that, Head of Household Daniel Durston and Aguilar discussed the nominations, which left him he worried that having “two Black people on the block at the end of my week” would not be good for him moving forward.
“We need to put that aside, and America needs to put that aside,” Aguilar responded.
Season 23 winner Xavier Prather, who became the first Black winner in show history, released a statement on his Twitter account, condemning the actions of the current group of houseguests.
“Members of the black community (especially black women) and other people of color stand no chance in the Big Brother House due to perpetuation of micro-aggressions and unconscious biases which plague our society,” he wrote. “I acknowledge my shortcomings during my time on Big Brother and can’t help but feel partially responsible for some of the reprehensible behavior I see being exhibited by current houseguests who consider me one of their ‘favorites.’
For that, I’d like to apologize for being an accessory to any ongoing issues. I’ve tried to learn from my conduct and educate myself so that I can stand beside those who need my support, as I attempt to do for Taylor now. In the future, I hope it doesn’t take a ‘Cookout’ for any Black houseguests (or any POC houseguest) to finally escape the feeling of being ostracized within the Big Brother House for simply existing. Change is a MUST!”
Fans are calling on show Big Brother producers to do something to help Hale, who currently is facing eviction with Terrance, another Black man.
A casting producer for the show told Variety that the the situation “really disappointing.”
Big Brother airs Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
