A secret Saboteur and a high-stakes alliance defined Big Brother 12

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When thirteen strangers entered the Big Brother house in July 2010, they didn't know one was a Saboteur. This twist, designed to spark drama and offering a $50,000 prize, set the stage for a season of shifting alliances and intense social maneuvering.

The twelfth American season of Big Brother premiered on CBS on July 8, 2010, following a summer of sequestered living. While the series originally planned for 14 HouseGuests, real estate agent Paola Aviles left during the sequestration period before the show began, leaving 13 contestants to enter the house on July 3, 2010. The season's premiere attracted 7.35 million viewers. This launch marked the highest viewership for a premiere since the eighth edition of the show.

A central twist this season was the introduction of a Saboteur. This individual was tasked with causing drama and could target specific HouseGuests or the group. If the Saboteur survived until the fifth week, they would earn a $50,000 prize and immediately exit the game. This role was eventually revealed to be held by Annie. The identity of the Saboteur was eventually disclosed via a video message. This revelation occurred shortly after a food competition involving wall-taping.

Social strategy was dominated by 'The Brigade' alliance, formed on Day 2 by Enzo Palumbo, Hayden Moss, Lane Elenburg, and Matt Hoffman. Their objective was to ensure they were the final four HouseGuests remaining. This alliance played a significant role in the season's trajectory, including the strategic targeting of players like Brendon Villegas. The group's strategy included debating whether to nominate Rachel due to her relationship with Brendon. They also considered targeting Brendon because they suspected him of being the Saboteur.

The season saw a resurgence in viewership, averaging 7.76 million viewers, which was higher than the previous two seasons and the highest average since 2004. The competition concluded after 75 days, with Hayden Moss emerging as the winner and Lane Elenburg as the Runner-Up. The finale's viewership reached 7.89 million people. This total continued the trend of averaging slightly above the previous season's performance.

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