Big Brother 27’s Ava Pearl’s shocking decision to let Vince Panaro go first in the White Locust challenge changed the course of the game — and she has no regrets.
“I definitely stand by my decision,” Ava, 24, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, September 26. “I don’t think Vinny was going home that night by any stretch.”
During the controversial twist, the Mastermind introduced a safety chain competition that involved completing a puzzle in a hamster wheel within a set amount of time. After more players finished the puzzle, the next person would get less time.
In a separate challenge, Ava won safety and the advantage to pick who would go first. Rachel Reilly, who appeared to have a good working relationship with Ava in the game, volunteered to give it a go. Ava ignored Rachel’s offer and decided to pick Vince, 34, with the hopes of not upsetting anyone.
“Rachel did not want Lauren [Domingue] going into that wheel, at least until the end, and I was scared Lauren might go home,” she explained on Friday. “So I picked Vinny, so that there was the possibility of him picking Lauren, and I didn’t get the blood on my hands, because Rachel would be mad at me if I picked Lauren.”
Vince completed the challenge and ultimately picked Lauren, 22, to go next since they were a secret duo. The move upset Rachel, 40, and Morgan Pope, who went third. After Morgan finished the puzzle, she picked Rachel because they were aligned with Vince, Ashley Hollis and Cliffton “Will” Williams. Rachel was unable to finish the puzzle and was eliminated from the game.
Rachel’s exit dramatically changed the game, leading the way for Morgan and Vince to dominate in competitions. Morgan was the Head of Household who put Ava on the block. Morgan also won the Power of Veto and kept her nominations the same, which sealed Ava’s fate as Vince was the sole vote to evict.
Before Vince made his decision to say goodbye to Ava, the aura painter made a last-ditch attempt to throw Vince under the bus in a house meeting. Ava called him out, claiming that he planned to bring Ashley to the finale over Morgan. The move ultimately failed because Morgan decided to remain loyal to Vince.
“I think it didn’t work out because, I mean, they were all in an alliance. What are you gonna do?” Ava reflected. “I figured if I’m going out, I’m going out with a bang, so give them something to chew on while I’m gone.”
While Ava found herself at odds with Vince multiple times, she confessed she doesn’t feel backstabbed by anyone in the game.
“I don’t feel super betrayed by anybody, honestly,” she told Us. “I know I got lied to and stuff in the game, but not really anybody [betrayed me]. … Everybody was lying to everybody in that house.”
Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live feeds from the house anytime on Paramount+.
