In Season 12, 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 as part of the season duo twist, being partnered with her then fiancé, now husband, Brendon Villegas. When the duo twist was released back onto the house for a week later in the game, her second partner was Jordan Lloyd. 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 HoHs and 2 PoVs. Rachel ultimately won the game in a close 4-3 jury vote.
Despite her constant irritation to other houseguests and viewers because of 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 competed in.
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]
Rachel has appeared in Big Brother 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, OTT, CBB, and 20. Rachel has made an appearance in every season of Big Brother since her inaugural season except Big Brother 19, 21 and 22.
She was a contestant on seasons 12 and 13. Also, after her eviction in season 12, she returned to the house for 24 hours in a "Jury Fury" twist.
She appeared as a punishment by Pandora's Box for Ian Terry on season 14.
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 anyways, 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.
During her pregnancy, Rachel competed on a Big Brother edition of The Price is Right Primetime Special that aired on May 24, 2016.[4] Rachel and her partner, Lisa won $3,000 while playing their pricing game. However, Rachel and Lisa failed to make it to the Showcase Showdown.[5]
Rachel & Brendon's first child, a daughter named Adora Borealis Villegas,[6] was born on April 8, 2016.[7]
On Mother's Day, May 10, 2020, Rachel and Brendon announced that they were expecting a second child.[9]
On November 11, 2020, Rachel gave birth to the couple's second child, a son named Adler Mateo Villegas.[10]
The Amazing Race
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.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13][14] This would be Rachel's third time doing 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.
Rachel and Brendon are the first two people to cross over twice, with both times being on The Amazing Race, followed by Caleb. Rachel then became the first and currently only person to cross over thrice, once again on The Amazing Race.
