Big Brother stars Rylie Jeffries and Katherine Woodman shared an update on their showmance during the season 27 finale on Sunday, September 28.
Before the season 27 winner was officially revealed, host Julie Chen Moonves asked Katherine, 23, where the pair’s relationship stands after spending the summer in the Big Brother house.
“Well, it stands at a really good place,” Katherine replied. “We are together and having fun, just hanging out. I just visited him and it was great.”
Rylie, for his part, gushed that Katherine is “the most beautiful, kind-hearted” person. “It’s been nothing but a blessing and an honor to be able to get to experience this … It’s been really great,” he added.
When the Big Brother season began in July, Rylie and Katherine formed a quick connection in the house. As fans followed along with their relationship, some viewers tuning into the live feeds claimed Rylie demonstrated controlling behavior toward Katherine and was verbally abusive. Rylie was evicted during week 6, with Katherine following right behind him the next week.
Rylie broke his silence on his controversial behavior during an interview with Entertainment Weekly in August, noting, “I understand how things may have come across, but I speak with passion. I love with my whole heart, and maybe that intensity was misunderstood. I would never intentionally disrespect anyone, especially Katherine.”
Rylie acknowledged that there were “some moments” throughout the competition that didn’t reflect his true character, saying it felt “heartbreaking to be misunderstood” by the Big Brother fan base.
“My intentions have always come from a place of care and loyalty, not control. … It hurts to be painted as aggressive when all I’ve ever done is lead with passion and care,” he added.
Katherine, for her part, exclusively opened up to Luxury Handbag Shopping about her connection with Rylie following her eviction. “It wasn’t necessarily good hearing [the backlash],” she told Us in August. “I wasn’t in any situations in that house that made me upset with him or uncomfortable or unhappy in any way.”
At the time, Katherine insisted that she “would have said something or not participated” if she felt uncomfortable with Rylie’s behavior. She further hinted she was “excited” to reconnect with him outside of the house.
“I think I will be offering reassurance that he didn’t do anything wrong, at least in my eyes,” she told Us.
The pair appeared on stage with their season 27 costars during the live finale on Sunday, where Ashley Hollis was crowned the winner after a 6-1 vote. She defeated Vince Panaro and Morgan Pope to take home the $750,000 grand prize.
“I can’t believe it. I’m in shock right now … I really tried to stay loyal to those who were loyal to me, as much as I could in this game,” she said after emerging from the Big Brother house. “I love all of these people, truly, and I’m so grateful.”
As runner-up, Vince won $75,000. Keanu Soto was named America’s Favorite Houseguest, earning $50,000 during the finale.
Big Brother returns to CBS in 2026.
