Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves shared her excitement about Season 27's Hotel Mystère theme in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview. When asked about her favorite room, she responded enthusiastically:
"I'm loving the bunk beds, not only because we haven't had bunk beds since season 1, but because it looks like something like a train — a first class train you would take across Europe in the 1920s throwback. It's like the Orient Express or something that, to me, looks very elegant and a lot of fun."
The veteran host discussed multiple layers of mystery planned for the upcoming season, which premieres July 10 with a 90-minute episode on CBS. Chen Moonves revealed that houseguests will need detective skills to navigate the game's hidden meanings and dual purposes.
She teased three major premiere twists: a masked visitor, a secret accomplice, and a mystery houseguest. The mystery player's identity shocked even Chen Moonves, who described them as "very polarizing" and likely to generate strong reactions from viewers.
The season promises deeper complexity than previous installments, with the masked visitor creating more disruption than last year's Ainsley character.
Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves dishes on house design, mystery themes, guests, and more
Chen Moonves expressed particular fondness for the bunk bed setup in Hotel Mystère. The sleeping arrangements mark a return to Season 1's format after years of traditional bedroom configurations. She compared the aesthetic to luxury European train travel from the 1920s.
The Orient Express comparison highlights the production team's attention to period detail. The elegant design contrasts with typical Big Brother house aesthetics. This throwback element adds sophistication to the competition environment.
The bunk beds serve both practical and strategic purposes. Close sleeping quarters often intensify social dynamics and alliance formations. Players must adapt to shared spaces while maintaining gameplay advantages.
This season emphasizes detective work over traditional memorization challenges. Chen Moonves noted that houseguests typically focus on counting objects or memorizing wall decorations. Season 27 introduces dual meanings requiring deeper analysis.
The host stressed that "things are not what they appear" throughout the competition. This approach demands heightened awareness from contestants. Surface-level observations won't suffice for success.
Physical house elements contain hidden purposes beyond decoration. Players must decode these mysteries while managing social gameplay. The dual-layer approach creates additional strategic complexity.
Three major twists will impact the season opener. The masked visitor promises more significant disruption than in previous seasons. Chen Moonves compared this character to last year's Ainsley but emphasized greater scope and depth.
The secret accomplice carries specific responsibilities that may affect game outcomes. Their success or failure will influence overall competition dynamics. This element adds accountability to the mystery theme.
Chen Moonves described the masked visitor's impact as "three dimensional" and "far reaching." These characters will create havoc beyond typical competition interference. The disruption operates on multiple levels simultaneously.
What do we know about the mystery houseguest?
The identity of the 17th player shocked Chen Moonves despite her years hosting Big Brother. She described her reaction as needing to "expect the unexpected" herself. The casting choice represents an "epic" addition to the competition.
Chen Moonves predicted polarizing Big Brother viewer reactions in both positive and negative directions. This suggests the mystery player carries significant baggage or a controversial history. The strong reactions indicate a recognizable figure from reality television or beyond.
The Big Brother host's excitement about the casting choice contrasts with anticipated audience division. This dynamic could generate substantial social media engagement and viewing interest.
Chen Moonves emphasized that revelations will unfold gradually throughout the season. The mystery theme isn't limited to premiere night twists. Contestants and viewers will discover hidden elements progressively.
The "expect the unexpected" motto takes on new meaning with layered mysteries. Traditional Big Brother strategies may prove insufficient for Season 27's challenges. Players must adapt to evolving revelations.
Big Brother Season 27 premieres Thursday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET (90‑minute episode), then airs Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, with next‑day streaming on Paramount+