Why was Big Brother star Kelley Jorgensen accused of racism online? Details explored

Big Brother season 27 contestant Kelley Jorgensen is in hot water after live feed footage sparked racism allegations. The show sticks strangers in a house where cameras catch their every move as they battle for a $100,000 prize. Fans can tune into the live feeds anytime to see the uncut version of house life, and that’s exactly where Kelley’s controversy started, right in front of viewers who miss nothing.

The scandal arose on Tuesday, September 2, when the film started spreading on social media channels. In the video, Kelley talks about the eviction strategy with fellow participant Lauren Domingue in the restroom. The conversation centers around Ashley Hollis, a Black competitor, when Kelley makes a comment that many viewers interpreted as racist.

During the live feeds, 30-year-old web designer Kelley was caught saying “like these monkeys…” right as Ashley walked into the bathroom. The timing could not have been worse. Viewers instantly called it out, saying it looked like Kelley was throwing a racist jab at the Black houseguests. The outrage grew because comparing Black people to monkeys has a long, ugly history, and fans weren’t willing to brush it off as an accident. Defenders contended that Kelley was referring to beautiful monkey lights in the restroom rather than making racist statements against her fellow participants.

What is the controversy surrounding Big Brother’s Kelley Jorgensen?

The live feed clip shows Kelley speaking with Lauren about potential eviction targets. She states:

"It's tempting to get Ashley out. You know?" before making the disputed comment.

Two camera angles captured the conversation from different perspectives. The wider shot clearly shows Ashley walking into the bathroom as Kelley speaks. Kelley immediately shifts topics when Ashley appears, saying:

"Everybody is getting called upstairs."

The live feed then cuts to black, ending the recorded interaction.

The timing of Ashley's entrance during Kelley's comment became the focal point of the racism accusations. Critics argued this timing was too coincidental to ignore. Social media erupted with calls for Kelley's removal from the show. The original poster who shared the footage wrote, "Racist Alert," and demanded action from CBS producers.

Multiple fans expressed outrage over the incident. Some fans referenced the show's history of controversial moments involving race. They argued that production consistently fails to address problematic behavior from contestants. The backlash intensified as the clip spread across various platforms. Big Brother viewers demanded accountability from both Kelley and the show's producers. Supporters pointed to decorative elements in the bathroom as an explanation for Kelley's words. Multiple angles show monkey-themed lamps and decor throughout the space.

These Big Brother fans argued that Kelley was commenting on the room's decorations rather than making racial references. They claimed the timing of Ashley's entrance was purely coincidental. Close-up images of the monkey lamps were shared as evidence supporting this interpretation. Defenders suggested viewers misunderstood the context of her statement.

What are the broader implications?

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about race relations within the Big Brother house. Previous seasons have faced similar controversies involving alleged discriminatory behavior. This situation adds to Season 27's existing drama, which already includes other contestant controversies. The show continues grappling with how to address sensitive issues in real time.

The allegations against Kelley demonstrate how live feeds create immediate accountability for contestants' words and actions in today's social media landscape.

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Big Brother 27 airs on CBS and streams live and on demand with Paramount+.

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