In Big Brother 12 (US), Rachel caused significant drama for her overbearing personality, which led to her getting into verbal fights with her fellow houseguests. When she was nominated against her only ally/showmance Brendon Villegas in Week 5, she was evicted unanimously for being seen as the more significant threat of the duo. She placed 9th and was the first member of the jury. She would cast her jury vote for Lane Elenburg, feeling he had played the best social game.
She returned to the game in Big Brother 13 (US) as part of the dynamic duo twist, being partnered with her then fiancé, now husband, Brendon Villegas. When Brendon was evicted in Week 6, Rachel was in the house for the first time ever without him, and could play the game with less distraction, instead focusing on strategy. Rachel also dominated in competitions; winning 4 Head of Household and 2 Power of Veto competitions. Rachel would ultimately win the game over Porsche Briggs in a close 4-3 jury vote.
In Big Brother 27 (US), Rachel was the sole returning player and her presence dominated the first half of the season. Throughout her time in the game, she made tight bonds with Amy Bingham, Ashley Hollis, and Jimmy Heagerty, while also developing season-long rivalries with Keanu Soto and Vince Panaro. Despite her massive target, Rachel managed to avoid being nominated during her time in the house by insulating herself well and being used as a shield by other players. Unfortunately for Rachel, her luck ran out when she failed to complete the Hit The Road competition in the allotted time at the White Locust Resort, resulting in her abrupt exit from the game on Day 60 and becoming the first member of the jury. Rachel's exit this season was the source of much controversy, especially since she managed to avoid being nominated up to that point in the game.
Despite her constant irritation to other houseguests and viewers often due to her grating laugh and frequent crying, she and Brendon ("Brenchel") developed a huge fan base. Due to her competition prowess, she is considered one of the greatest physical players in the show's history, having won every endurance competition she has competed in.
Retrieved from CBS.com Name: Rachel Reilly Age: 26 Current Residence: Las Vegas, Nev. Occupation: Chemistry Graduate Student/VIP Cocktail Waitress Three adjectives that describe you: Bubbly, effervescent and adventurous Favorite activities: Painting, working out, doing anything outdoors, watching movies with friends, playing with my dog, getting dressed up and going on dates. What do you think will be the most difficult part about living inside the Big Brother house: Having your entire life televised Strategy for winning Big Brother: I would hustle like I do at work when I get men to buy me champagne. What types of people would you NOT choose to live with you in the house: Negative people - those who don't see the beauty in life and don't understand how fortunate we are to be alive. A recurring theme on Big Brother is "expect the unexpected." How would you handle "the unexpected:" I would welcome it - I'm always expecting the unexpected. My life in Vegas is like a show; I welcome the spice of life. Bring it on! Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most or least: I like Laura the most because she stuck up for what she believed. What are you afraid of: I hate spiders!!!!!! Finish this sentence: "My life's motto is:" Try everything out the world has to offer and always keep a smile on your face. Make the world a better place.
Is there anything else you want the fans to know about yourself: I have so many facets to my personality. I'm a model, a cocktail server, a chemist, a student, a charity head... I have life experiences to share.[1]
Retrieved from parade.com
Rachel is considered a legend of Big Brother. She made a memorable impact during her debut on Big Brother 12, showmancing, winning competitions and putting out an iconic warning for all floaters out there. She then returned the next season with her then-fiancée, Brendon Villegas, where she went on to win the entire thing. In between her appearances then and now, Rachel appeared on three seasons of The Amazing Race, where she made it to the Final Three twice with Brendon, and The Traitors.[2]
She was a contestant on Big Brother 12 (US), Big Brother 13 (US), and Big Brother 27 (US). Also, after her eviction in season 12, she returned to the house for 24 hours in a "Jury Fury" twist.
She returned to host the fourth Power of Veto competition of Big Brother 20 (US).
Although she didn't physically appear, she and Jeff Schroeder recorded audio clips for Big Brother 25 (US)'s Week 5 "BB Odd Couples" HOH competition.
Rachel was called to compete on Big Brother 22 (US), but due to her second pregnancy she was unable to participate. It is rumored that production denied her request to let her compete and have her sister Elissa Slater do the competitions as her proxy, similar to Nick & Phil Paquette of Big Brother Canada 4, but this has not been confirmed by production or either Reilly sister.
Rachel appeared on Big Brother Canada 11 to give advice to the Week 9 HOH Ty McDonald, before eventually getting to meet with the other three remaining houseguests as well.
During her first pregnancy, Rachel competed on a Big Brother edition of The Price is Right Primetime Special that aired on May 24, 2016.[6] Rachel and her partner, Lisa, won $3,000 while playing their pricing game. However, Rachel and Lisa failed to make it to the Showcase.[7]
Rachel & Brendon's first child, a daughter named Adora Borealis Villegas,[8] was born on April 8, 2016.[9]
Rachel competed on the first season of Peacock's The Traitors alongside Cirie, Cody, Brandi Glanville and Ryan Lochte. As a Faithful, she was wrongly suspected of being a Traitor and banished in Episode 8, finishing in 8th place.
Rachel was rumored to be competing on the first season of E!'s House of Villains alongside Omarosa Manigault and Tiffany Pollard, but she ended up dropping from the cast before it began.
Rachel & Elissa's cast photo for The Amazing Race 31
In late 2011, Rachel & Brendon competed on the twentieth season of The Amazing Race as an engaged couple and ultimately finished in third place.[14]
In late 2013, Rachel & Brendon competed on the second All-Stars season of The Amazing Race as a team of newlyweds. Brendon & Rachel won three legs and became the first team to make it to the final leg twice. However, Brendon & Rachel finished the race in third place again.[15]
During the summer of 2018, Rachel competed alongside her sister Elissa Slater on the thirty-first season of The Amazing Race alongside fellow Big Brother (U.S.), Survivor, and The Amazing Race contestants in a special "Reality Clash" season.[16][17] This would be Rachel's third time competing on The Amazing Race and her first time doing it without Brendon. Former Big Brother players Janelle Pierzina & Britney Haynes, and Nicole Franzel & Victor Arroyo also competed on the season. Rachel & Elissa were eliminated from the Race in 7th Place. Rachel managed to set the record for most legs ran by a woman with 32 legs ran across all three of her seasons.
Brendon & Rachel's Cast Photo for The Amazing Race 20.
Brendon & Rachel's cast photo for the Amazing Race: All-Stars.
Trivia
Rachel has won every endurance competition that she took part in in her Big Brother career.
Rachel is the only female houseguest in Big Brother 12 (US) to win Head of Household twice. In fact, she won 2 of the 3 HOH's won by a female in that season.
Rachel is the third houseguest to win the first HOH competition and then win the game following Lisa Donahue and Hayden Moss. They would be followed by Nicole Franzel and Cody Calafiore.
Rachel, Lisa, Hayden, and Cody are also the only winners to win both the first and last HOH competition.
Rachel is tied with Steve Moses and Morgan Willett for being the most nominated winner in Big Brother history, with 5.
Rachel has won nine competitions in total (7 HoHs, 2 Power of Vetoes).
She ties for the most HoH wins in multiple seasons with Cody Calafiore, with seven.
Rachel is the first female houseguest to win multiple POV competitions in a single season and later win the season.
Rachel then became the first and currently only person to cross over thrice, once again on The Amazing Race.
Rachel is the first former houseguest to have a relative compete on a later season, with her sister, Elissa Slater, competing on Big Brother 15 (US). She was followed by Cody Calafiore and Vanessa Rousso when their respective siblings competed on Big Brother 18 (US).
Due to being evicted via a Hit The Road competition, Rachel ended up becoming the only houseguest in BB27 to not be nominated, as her eviction controversially took place in spite of her avoiding the block up to that point.
This makes Rachel the first houseguest who survived beyond the premiere to be evicted without ever being nominated or receiving an eviction vote.
