Since season 18 of “Big Brother” kicked off June 22, the CBS reality show contestant and Slidell, Louisiana native Victor Arroyo has won his way back into the game twice.
This year, after the 16 contestants were divided into four teams, each team was led by a returning houseguest from a previous season of the show. Due to the team twist, Arroyo’s game was off to a rocky start.
He aligned himself with the wrong people and quickly became a target. On day 23, he became the third evicted houseguest.
To maneuver his way back into the house, Arroyo learned of the Battle Back competition in his eviction interview with host Julie Chen. He would compete to outsmart four other evictees, but was confident in his ability to get back in.
The competition took place on day 37 of the “Big Brother” summer and aired July 22. Arroyo, a gym manager, used his strength and agility to beat out the other houseguests.
Following the competition, he was sent back into the game like nothing had ever happened.
“I’m never satisfied with what I have; I’m always wanting more,” Arroyo said on his CBS cast profile before coming onto the show.
Playing the game with this mantra in mind, he sets his sights on his goals and does whatever it takes to attain them.
“I want to underplay how smart I am and hopefully have them think I’m just a dumb guy that likes to lift and works at a gym,” Arroyo said on CBS. “That might work in my favor since they will think I’m only good in physical challenges.”
Weeks later, Arroyo was evicted once again on day 72. The houseguests viewed him as a strong physical threat and took advantage of the opportunity to evict him.
That same day, Arroyo and four other evictees — the first five jury members— were given the chance to win their way back into the house. Once again, Arroyo came out on top.
Now, two weeks from the finale, Arroyo is one of six remaining houseguests with a 20 percent chance of walking away with the $500,000 grand prize.
Throughout the season, Arroyo has proven his worth. Not only has he won the Battle Back twice, but he has three Head of Household wins, one Power of Veto, and one roadkill competition win under his belt.
In true “Big Brother” fashion, Arroyo expects the unexpected and following his first eviction completely turned his game around. During his first go-around, he was very open with his strategy and who he was targeting.
This strategy backfired on him and, upon re-admittance, his social game improved as he repaired his relationships with the other houseguests and learned to keep his lips locked.
At the beginning of the season, Arroyo seemed to feel he was better than the other houseguests. However, in the “Big Brother” house, there’s not much to do, so houseguests have to create their own recreation.
Arroyo acted like he was too good for their games, refusing to tolerate their pranks and appearing uninterested in building friendships.
Though he has been criticized for his aggressive nature and treatment of women, Arroyo has ultimately earned a spot in the hearts of “Big Brother” super-fans. A competition beast, he exemplifies what it means to be a fighter.
Arroyo teamed up with houseguest Paul Abrahamian and the two have remained loyal to each other throughout the season. While Arroyo excels in the physical aspects, Abrahamian keeps up with players’ social games and strategies. Together, the two are practically unstoppable, and many viewers predict they’ll make it to the end.
No matter the outcome, Arroyo will go down in “Big Brother” history. No other contestant has had three chances to win the game.
In his HOH blog, Arroyo stays true to his Louisiana roots and said he is “pumped to see the Tigers play.” He also said he thinks “of tailgating daily and the atmosphere at Death Valley.”
Like his home state, Arroyo has struggled this summer, but he has shown his strength and true passion for the game. He’s a real contender for the $500,000 prize and albeit a few mistakes, makes Louisiana proud.