The last episode of “Big Brother” has taken up Remove contestant Luke Valentine After using the N-word during Paramount+’s live broadcast. This controversy was revealed only a week into the season 25 premiere.
Valentine used a racial slur during a casual conversation with fellow contestants Jared Fields, Corey Wurtenberger, and Husam Goeili. After dropping the slur at the end of the sentence, he immediately seemed aware of his mistake on camera. He covered his mouth, laughed and quickly said, “Dude,” as his fellow contestants stared at him. The moment can be seen here.
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During the new episode, Valentine is called into the Diary Room after using a slur. The next morning, contestant Riley Smedley loudly delivered the news to her fellow guests: “Due to a violation of the ‘Big Brother’ code of conduct by using a racial slur, Luke has been removed from the house and will no longer participate in the ‘Big Brother Game.'” The game continues and the live voting and eviction will continue as scheduled.” The horrified contestants then broke the news together.
“It was directed at me in a very informal way, as I used it among friends in a way, and I think the reaction was, ‘Hey, you should go to bed, man,’” Wurtenberger said. “I came out like, ‘Did you just hear that?’” Guili said he had not heard the slander.
Then Fields chimed in, “Listen, I respect exactly what Corey says, but given the situation, it’s not fair, I think, to try to make this a family conversation.”
“I’ve had friends like Luke in the past,” Fields continued in his confession. “It’s really weird trying to have that conversation, which is why I didn’t tell anyone. I don’t equate ignorance with malice. Whether or not Luke meant it that way, they were rules and regulations and they were clearly told to us before entering this house. I completely understand the decision, and I also realize that there are Consequences for every action you take. It’s hard just trying to help people understand where you come from, especially being the only black man in this house. With that being said, Luke I wish you were the best bro, and I really hope this is an educational situation for you.”
Valentine’s use of such charged language quickly caused an uproar online, as fans took to social media to comment on how the show must have approached. Many called for his immediate removal from the reality show. In fact, CBS has done just that, and announced on Wednesday that it will no longer be a contestant on the show.
CBS directed Remove it in the statement to diverse. He has been removed from the house, the network said. CBS went on to say that the show will address Luke’s removal in today’s episode.
Valentine’s use of the N-word and its subsequent removal is significant in light of Big Brother’s history with problematic contestants. During the 22nd season, Memphis Jarrett was accused of calling David Alexander the N-word. An investigation was conducted and CBS concluded that Garrett did not call Alexander the N-word, and the footage was removed. Additionally, Kyle Carpenter, who was on the final season of “Big Brother,” was removed due to comments he made about race. Fans were also upset that Season 24’s black contestant, Taylor Hill, dealt with microaggressions during her time on the show.
talk with diverseExecutive producers on the show vehemently denied They claim they intentionally dumped problematic people for their entertainment.
“That’s definitely 1,000 percent not true,” said Rich Meehan. “But we throw in a wide network of people from all different walks of life, all different upbringings, so sometimes you get hitched along the way.”
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