High school cliques and oversized underwear defined this season of Big Brother

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2009, Big Brother 11 swapped standard gameplay for a high-school twist. HouseGuests were divided into cliques like 'the Brains' and 'the Athletes,' competing for food and power. From suspended toilet seats to neon 'Rave Juice,' the season turned social dynamics into a high-stakes game of survival.

Premiering on July 9, 2009, on CBS, Big Brother 11 introduced a social experiment based on high-school archetypes. The thirteen HouseGuests were split into four cliques: the Athletes, the Brains, the Offbeat, and the Popular. While these groups influenced immunity—as a member of a winning Head of Household's clique could not be nominated—the players ultimately competed as individuals for the prize. The initial twelve contestants entered the house before the final player was revealed. This final addition was Jessie Godderz, who joined the Athletes group.

The season's mechanics introduced several notable shifts. A new 'Have vs. Have-Not' system replaced previous food competitions. Those designated as 'Have Nots' faced significant restrictions, including eating only slop, sleeping on metal beds, and enduring cold showers. Additionally, a new rule allowed the American public to replace a jury member with a new voter if that member was expelled or left the house voluntarily.

The season's premiere featured a bizarre Head of Household competition called 'The Wedgie,' where contestants were suspended by oversized underwear while holding onto toilet seats. This season also saw a slight ratings increase, averaging 7.19 million viewers, though its 6.59 million premiere was the second lowest in the series' history at that time. Ultimately, Jordan Lloyd was crowned the winner after 73 days, with Natalie Martinez as the runner-up. The season's finale saw Jordan Lloyd emerge victorious over Natalie Martinez. This victory concluded a competition lasting seventy-three days.

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