The Coup d'Etat (pronounced koo-day-tah) is a special power given to a houseguest. It allows the holder to remove up to two nominees from the Nomination Block and replace them with up to two other houseguests (except for the Head of Household and the Veto holder). It is similar to the Diamond Power of Veto, except the holder can remove both nominees from the Block, as opposed to just one.
The Coup d'Etat first appeared as a prize in Big Brother 7 (US), but it was ultimately not used, due to a violation of rules. The power appeared once again in Big Brother 11 (US), and the holder was chosen by America. The Coup d'Etat has also appeared in Big Brother Canada 3, but its name was not referenced.
A weaker power that still overtakes an existing HOH's reign and changes their nominations has been seen as a variation of the Invisible HOH twist, keeping the usurper anonymous and allowing the nominees a chance at the Veto.
Coup d'Etat Holders[]
Mike Malin[]
During Week 6 of Big Brother: All-Stars, the houseguests were told by Julie Chen-Moonves that they would be competing for a "mystery power". Throughout the following week, the houseguests were given various clues to a common Big Brother phrase. Mike Malin was the first houseguest to correctly guess the phrase, "You reap what you sow". Mike was given three weeks to use the power before it would expire. However, he chose not to use the power in the first two weeks and became the HOH in the third week, so he never used it. It was later revealed that he had broken the rules by telling Will Kirby that he won the power in between the first two weeks, so production ended up taking it away from him, meaning he was ineligible to use it in the second or third weeks, even if he hadn't been HOH. This information never made air and was never acknowledged by production.[1]
Jeff Schroeder[]
Shortly after Casey Turner's eviction in Big Brother 11, it was announced to the house that America would be selecting one houseguest to receive a special power. Jeff Schroeder was chosen by America to receive the Coup d'Etat. He was given two weeks to use the power before it would expire. During the first week, Jeff chose not to use the Coup d'Etat. The following week, Jeff used the power to overthrow Chima Simone's nominations (Russell Kairouz & Lydia Tavera). As Chima was the HOH and Kevin Campbell was the POV Holder, they were immune from being nominated. Jeff chose instead to nominate Natalie Martinez after taking Lydia off the nomination block. He then took Russell off the nomination block and named Jessie Godderz for eviction. Neither Jeff nor Chima were allowed to vote(Chima was safe as HOH, and Jeff had dethroned her) and as a result, Jessie was evicted by a vote of 3-2. Due to the Coup d'Etat power being used, all of the houseguests were able to compete to win the next HOH competition.
Brittnee Blair[]
After the Week 7 Triple Eviction in Big Brother Canada 3, it was announced that Canada would vote for two houseguests to be the Have-Nots for the week. However, those two houseguests would compete for a special Have-Not power which was hidden in the Have-Not Room (it was later revealed to be a power similar to the Coup d'Etat). Canada voted for Sarah Hanlon and Brittnee Blair to be the Have-Nots for the week. The secret power competition was won by Brittnee. Her power was to be used at the Week 8 eviction, and she was obligated to replace one nominee with someone of her choosing, with the additional option to save and replace the second nominee if she chose to do so. At the eviction, Brittnee saved herself and Godfrey Mangwiza from eviction and nominated Zach Oleynik and Bruno Ielo in their places. In the end, Bruno was evicted by a vote of 4-0, making him the 6th Jury member and finishing in 7th place. This iteration of the Coup d'Etat was slightly different in that Britnee could both vote and compete in the next HOH comp, while outgoing HOH, Ashleigh Wood, could not.
Trivia[]
- Mike Malin is the only houseguest who was granted the Coup d'Etat but chose not to use it, and to later have the power stripped away from him.
- Jeff Schroeder is the first person to use this power to overthrow the HOH's nomination.
- He is also the only houseguest not to have to compete for the power.
- Brittnee Blair is the only Canadian houseguest to be granted this power.
- In addition, she is the only female to use it, along with the only nominee to use it.