Big Brother producers and CBS spoke out about allegations of racism and offensive remarks among the season 21 cast.
“Big Brother is a multi-platform reality competition show about a group of people who live in a house for several months with no contact from the outside world. The audience is able to view the show during the multiple weekly broadcasts as well as on the 24/7 live, online stream, which captures unedited content of the contestants’ unfiltered moments in the house,” they said in a joint statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, July 25. “At times, the houseguests say things that we do not condone.”
The statement continued: “We share some of the viewers’ concerns about inappropriate behavior and offensive comments, and producers have addressed specific incidents with the houseguests involved. However, there is absolutely no truth that the casting of the show is racially motivated, that the houseguests’ behavior is predetermined or that the outcome is controlled in any way.”
25 PHOTOS'Big Brother' season 21See Gallery'Big Brother' season 21
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 14: Julie Chen-Moonves, host of BIG BROTHER 21, BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 22: Houseguest of Big Brother 21 –L-R : Jessica Milagros, Christie Murphy, Ovi Kabir,Analyse Talvera, David, Alexander; L-R second row: Kathryn Dunn, Cliff Hogg, Sam Smith, Jackson Michie, Holly Alexander,Jack Matthews, Tommy Bracco, Kemi Fakunle, Nick Macaroni, Isabella Wang, Nicole Anthony. BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). (Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 22: Houseguest of Big Brother 21 –L-R bottom row: Jack Matthews, Analyse Talvera, David Alexander; L-R 2nd row: Holly Alexander, Kemi Fakunle, Jessica Milagros, Ovi Kabir, Isabella Wang, Nicole Anthony, Tommy Bracco; L-R top tow: Jackson Michie, Cliff Hogg, Sam Smith, Kathryn Dunn,Christie Murphy, Nick Maccarone.BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).(Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 19: Host Julie Chen on BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).(Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 19: L-R bottom row: Jackson Michie, Tommy Bracco,Nicole Anthony, and Kemi Faknule. L-R back row: Kathryn Dunn, Ovi Kabir, Holly Alexander, Jack Matthews –on BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).(Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 19: L-R bottom row: Nick Macaroni, Isabella Wang, David Alexander, Analyse Talvera; L_R top row: Cliff Hogg, Jessica Milagros, Christie Murphy, Sam Smith on BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).(Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 19: Host Julie Chen on BIG BROTHER’s two-night premiere event airing Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26 (8:00 Ð 9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will be broadcast Sunday, June 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, July 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The first live eviction airs Wednesday, July 3. As of Wednesday, July 10, the show moves to its regular schedule of Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), Thursdays, featuring the live evictions (9:00-10:00 PM, LIVE ET/Delayed PT) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).(Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Analyse Talavera, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Cliff Hogg III, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Christie Murphy, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Isabella Wang, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Holly Allenn, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: David Alexander, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Jake Matthews, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Jackson Michie, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Kathryn Dunn, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Nick Maccarone, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Jessica Milagros, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Kemi Faknule, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Ovi Kabir, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Sam Smith, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 16: Tommy Bracco, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 17: Nicole Anthony, houseguest on the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 7: Julie Chen Moonves, Host of the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 7: Julie Chen Moonves, Host of the CBS series BIG BROTHER, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images) Up Next
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Earlier this month, season 21 contestant Kemi Fakunle addressed her castmates’ conduct on Twitter. “I am extremely disappointed and disgusted by the behavior I am being made aware of that occurred thus far in the Big Brother house,” she wrote on July 20. “The degrading and threatening comments made by some houseguests and laughed at by others are outrageous and hard to see. I am saddened to be associated with such a negative display of human character and am horrified that this is now a part of my life story.”
While the marketing strategist thanked fans “for all of the love and support,” she asked that they stop making negative comments in an effort to defend her. “I do not want to perpetuate the same negativity that I received in the house,” she explained.
Houseguest Jack Matthews sparked controversy earlier in the season by making remarks on the live feed that viewers believed were racist and aggressive. Not only did he call his costar a “maggot,” but he also said he wanted to “stomp a mud-hole through [Kemi’s] chest.” His treatment of Fakunle extended to the television broadcast too.
Matthews later took aim at Isabella Wang, referring to her as “rice pudding.” He eventually walked back his comment by saying it was a “misconception” and implying that he received feedback from producers about it.
His behavior prompted one fan to launch a petition for CBS to kick him off the show.
Big Brother airs on CBS Sundays at 8 p.m. ET and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
5 PHOTOSJulie Chen and her family togetherSee GalleryJulie Chen and her family together
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 22:(L-R) Julie Chen, Charlie Moonves and Les Moonves attend the 2018 Simon Wiesenthal Center National Tribute Dinner Honoring Leslie Moonves at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 22, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Tara Ziemba/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12:(L-R) Producer Julie Chen, Charlie Mooves and President of CBS Leslie Moonves attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 01:Sarah Moonves, Les Moonves, Charlie Moonves and Julie Chen attend the 2017 American Songbook Gala at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on February 1, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 01:(L-R) Sara Moonves, CBS Corporation chairman, president and CEO Leslie Moonves, Charlie Moonves and Julie Chen attend Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Gala red carpet at Alice Tully Hall on February 1, 2017 in New York City.(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 15:(L-R) TV personality Julie Chen, Charlie Moonves and Les Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation arrive at The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)Up Next
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