'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgT/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAIutHT//xAAgEAACAQQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwEABAUGExEVIjFR/9oACAEBAAE/ANQ1HJZq67dfsx9gdikYM1rlklcMLlES+wIFFFpWvImUuyF1yr8D6DPuK//EAB0RAAECBwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDBAACBRETsfH/2gAIAQIBAT8AFUdtVJsKhHb7Mf/EABwRAAEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwRhAAUhQf/aAAgBAwEBPwCfq4y3C2pPBZFeUM//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In Big Brother season 26, episode 25, tensions among the houseguests rose following Joseph Rodriguez's shocking elimination by a close 4-to-3 vote. With only nine players remaining, this week's show began with houseguests adjusting to the new dynamics and preparing for the next Head of Household (HOH) competition.
Following Joseph's exit, Chelsie Baham emerged as the new HOH after winning a difficult tiebreaker, marking her second reign in power this season.
This week's events, from Joseph's shocking eviction to Chelsie's clever HOH win paved the way for changing alliances and fresh gaming.
With Chelsie now in charge, episode 25 of Big Brother concentrates on her future steps and the building tensions among houseguests, particularly her ally Cam Sullivan-Brown, who finds himself at odds with her vote.
Trending
Recap of episode 25 in Big Brother season 26
Reactions to Joseph's eviction
After Joseph Rodriguez was evicted by a 4-to-3 vote, the remaining nine houseguests had mixed feelings. Kimo Apaka and Rubina Bernabe were relieved to still be in the game after narrowly avoiding eviction.
However, Chelsie Baham, who voted Joseph out, expressed regret and confessed in her diary room session that she believed Joseph deserved to be on the jury. Despite delivering the crucial vote, her emotions overwhelmed her, and she burst into tears.
Makensy Manbeck and Chelsie both stated that Kimo's sincere speech before the voting influenced their decisions. They admitted in private interviews that, while they had intended to vote Kimo out, his words influenced them at the last minute. This caused friction in the house as loyalties shifted suddenly.
Quinn's disappointment
Quinn Martin, the departing Head of Household (HOH), was overcome with disappointment following Joseph's removal. He was furious because, for the second time this season, his reign as HOH ended with one of his closest buddies being sent home.
During his diary room session, Quinn expressed how much it stung to see his strategic efforts fail once more.
Although he had hoped for a different conclusion, Quinn faced the reality of having to change his tactics moving ahead. He said:
"It really stings to lose another ally, especially after putting so much work into this HOH."
Quinn is now forced to deal with the consequences of Joseph's elimination, unsure who he can trust.
Cam and Chelsie's miscommunication
Cam Sullivan-Brown and Chelsie Baham had a huge misunderstanding following the eviction. The two were scheduled to vote together, but Chelsie switched at the last minute without informing Cam.
Cam expressed his displeasure in a private conversation with Chelsie, claiming that her unexpected vote against Joseph had put him on the wrong side of the house majority.
Cam discussed his thoughts during his diary room session, stating that Chelsie's decision caught him off guard. He mentioned feeling "ready for war now," and that this change would reveal a new version of himself in the game.
The aftermath of this fight exacerbated the growing tensions between the two houseguests, prompting concerns about their alliance's longevity.
The week 8 HOH competition
Following Joseph's elimination, the remaining houseguests, except the departing HOH Quinn, competed in the Week 8 HOH battle. The task was based on Dine Cam films, and players had to answer questions concerning food delivery shown previously in the game.
Each correct answer brought houseguests closer to capturing the coveted HOH title.
After numerous rounds, the competition was down to Chelsie Baham and Cam Sullivan-Brown. A tiebreaker question determined the winner, with Chelsie winning for the second time this season.
Cam, who was on the verge of winning, made a critical error by including an extra zero in his answer, losing him the championship.
Chelsie’s strategic moves as HOH
Chelsie quickly began strategizing after winning the HOH on Big Brother. She told Quinn that her decision to expel Joseph was not intended to isolate him, and she pledged not to target him this week. Quinn seems satisfied with her answer, stating that he felt "pretty okay" about her decision.
Chelsie, on the other hand, was skeptical of Cam, her closest ally, after she noticed him flirting with Makensy and Leah Peters. Although Chelsie did not perceive a direct threat, she was concerned that Cam's social connections were becoming a new approach.
She also overheard Cam's talk with Angela Murray, during which Angela begged him to speak with Chelsie on her behalf rather than doing it herself. This situation caused Chelsie to mistrust Cam's devotion and consider her next move as HOH on Big Brother.
Looking forward to the game
With the Big Brother AI Arena twist behind them, the houseguests are focused on handling the game's usual dynamics. Chelsie's decisions will affect the path of the game for the rest of the week because she is the Head of Household. Her relationships with houseguests like Cam, Quinn, and Makensy are essential because they will most likely influence her nominations.
The next episode will reveal who Chelsie decides to put on the block and whether any of her competitors can change their fate via the Power of Veto battle. With alliances moving and miscommunications occurring frequently, the pressure builds as the game approaches its conclusion.
Catch all the latest episodes of Big Brother season 26 on CBS, airing Sundays and Wednesdays at 9 ET/PT. You can also stream Big Brother season 26 live or on-demand via Paramount+. Stay tuned for more dramatic twists as the remaining houseguests fight for the grand prize and ultimate victory.
