Big Brother is a game where strangers compete for money in a house under constant supervision. While players enter the house with the cash prize on their minds, with nothing to do between competitions, many players end up shifting their focus to winning the hearts of their fellow contestants.
These emerging couples, dubbed "showmances," have existed since the beginning of Big Brother and have only become more common in recent seasons. Some of these showmances became fan favorites and others made viewers want to immediately switch off the television. Here are the 5 most beloved showmances of Big Brother and the 5 most cringy.
Cringy: Matt & Raven
Season 19 of Big Brother faced a lot of criticism, and this cast of mostly unlikable contestants featured several showmances. While Elena and Mark weren't exactly loved and Cody and Jess started off disliked and grew to be loved, the showmance that stuck in fans' heads was Matt and Raven, albeit not for good reasons.
As individuals, they were disliked. Matt is most well known for eating insane amounts of cereal and Raven is mostly remembered for allegedly exaggerating a number of health conditions. As a couple, they were even more hated. They made more moves under the sheets than they did in the game and got into a number of bizarre and messy fights. It wasn't only fans cringing as even the other contestants in the house seemed uncomfortable around them.
Beloved: James & Natalie
James was a contestant first featured in season 17, winning America's Favorite. After no success finding a showmance with his friend Meg, he entered season 18 as a veteran and quickly entered into a relationship with Natalie.
This couple stole hearts all across America and although they didn't win as often as fans would have liked, many still tuned in to watch them cuddle and prank each other. Unfortunately, they had a messy breakup after the show and are currently on bad terms. However, current circumstances don't take away from the fact that fans loved watching this showmance develop.
Cringy: Jack & Sis
Season 21 of Big Brother came under fire for its racist contestants, resulting in the largest conversation surrounding racism in the Big Brother game since season 15 (in which a houseguest was nicknamed "Aaryn the Aryan." At the center of this controversy was Jack Matthews, who had fans calling for his eviction only several weeks into the show.
Jack quickly entered into a showmance with Analyse, who went by the nickname "Sis." Jack constantly spoke down to Sis and didn't treat her as his equal in the game. This couple didn't seem to mind the cameras watching and fans saw much more than they wanted to see. Unsurprisingly to all, Jack and Sis did not last in the real world and broke up shortly after the season ended.
Beloved: Nicole & Victor
Nicole is the only houseguest to ever return to the game as a veteran and win. She first appeared on season 16, where she had a showmance with fellow houseguest Hayden. When she returned for season 18, she entered into another showmance with fellow houseguest Corey. However, it was the friendship she developed with houseguest Victor during season 18 that earned her a spot on this list. While these two didn't date in the house, fans still enjoyed watching their friendship grow.
After the game ended, they continued their friendship and eventually began dating. During season 20, Nicole returned to the house thinking she was there to host a competition. This ended up being a ruse to get Nicole into the house so Victor could propose to her in the place they met. This Big Brother proposal cemented Nicole and Victor as one of America's most beloved showmances, even if they never dated in the house.
Cringy: Isabella & Nick
Another stand-out couple from season 21 was Nick and Bella. These two quickly became known for causing drama in the house. Their fellow houseguests considered them untrustworthy, which resulted in Bella's eviction in week 3. Even though they had only just met, Nick assured Bella that he loved her and asked her to be his girlfriend. She accepted and left the game thinking he would remain loyal.
Unfortunately, while Bella watched from home, she saw Nick cuddling up to fellow houseguest "Sis." In the jury house, Nick entered into a new showmance with houseguest Kat, earning his place as one of the slimiest Big Brother contestants of all time. Though this showmance was as over as quick as it started, it was still disliked while it lasted.
Beloved: Tyler & Angela
The stand-out couple of Big Brother's season 20 was Tyler and Angela. Tyler was the fan-favorite of the season and played one of the most manipulative and cunning games seen in recent years. He entered into a relationship with Angela while in the house but both of them were smart enough to keep their showmance quiet.
Both of these players were fierce competitors and were able to make decisions best for their games, respecting each other but putting the game before their relationship. For these reasons, this couple quickly became beloved by America and fans continue to follow their relationship to this day.
Cringy: Austin & Liz
Season 17 of Big Brother featured many great blindsides and beloved players. Although fans were originally excited to watch Liz compete as she was placed in the game as part of the twin twist of the season, many soon began to hate watching her on the screen. That is because Austin and Liz's showmance took up much of her screen time.
This showmance was just plain gross and fans were a bit sketched out by the fact that Austin was one of the last people to notice that he was flirting with two people – Liz and her twin sister Julia. This showmance was also one of the first in recent seasons to engage in intimate acts in the house, which was heavily criticized on social media.
Beloved: Brendon & Rachel
While their fellow houseguests may have been annoyed by them, fans did not feel the same way. This couple has gone on to be one of the most famous showmances of all time. They continuously supported and defended each other in the house, dominating competitions, and making big moves.
Now married with a daughter, these two occasionally make guest appearances on Big Brother, much to the delight of fans.
Cringy: Matt & Natalie
Season 9 of Big Brother had a lot of potential. There were some crazy moments that occurred during that season, such as two houseguests falling ill at the same time, crazy blindsides, and heated evictions. Too bad the only thing this cast will be remembered for is being the trashiest and most hated of all time.
One of the season's most revolting relationships was between Matt and Natalie. She was constantly pining after Matt, who did nothing but use her. Both of them made many questionable decisions both inside and outside of the house. This relationship was not one that anyone wanted to watch.
Beloved: Jeff & Jordan
If Big Brother has an America's sweetheart couple, this is it. Jeff and Jordan met on season 11 of Big Brother and formed a deep friendship. After competing together on The Amazing Race, they returned to the Big Brother house as a team for season 13.
Jeff then proposed to Jordan on the set of season 14. Now married with kids, fans have been able to watch this relationship develop over time. They are still a part of Big Brother, with Jeff hosting Big Brother Live Chat and interviewing contestants.