Big Brother fans RAGE over 'toxic' casting after discovering a shock connection between new housemate and disgraced former contestant Aaryn Gries

Big Brother's latest season has yet to launch, but the reality show is already embroiled in controversy after internet sleuths discovered new housemate Brooklyn Rivera has a connection with a disgraced former contestant accused of racism. 

Season 26 of the CBS show - hosted by Julie Chen Moonves - will premiere across two nights this Wednesday and Thursday, with 16 newcomers signed up to live in the famous TV compound.

But fans have condemned producers for casting 34-year-old business administrator Brooklyn, who appears to be friends with ex-contestant Aaryn Gries, 33, now known as Aaryn Williams, who made a slew of racist comments during her time on the show in 2013.

Shocked by their findings, disgruntled fans have blasted bosses for the 'toxic' casting as they furiously questioned how the connection was 'overlooked.'

On Reddit, one person demanded to know: 'Is the casting production this lazy to overlook something like this or do they just not care?'

Big Brother season 26 star Brooklyn Rivera has already found herself at the center of controversy ahead of the new series launch this week 

Internet sleuths have discovered that Brooklyn, 34, is friends with disgraced former contestant Aaryn Gries, 33, who appeared on Big Brother 15 back in 2013

Another vented: 'Whoever does casting knows what they are doing by continually going to the same toxic pools for recruits. Someone thinks these sort of people and viewpoints are deserving of primetime.'

'They do all these background checks and still cast someone who's friends with Aaryn I'm dead,' wrote a third.

On X, one user asked: 'Now why would they cast a woman who's affiliated with one of the most racist people in the history of being on Big Brother?'

Another said: 'Well that was a bad idea all the way around. Casting why?!?!'

Others, however, were less critical of the move, with one person writing: 'I think until she's done anything problematic, she should be given the benefit of the doubt.'

While the extent of Brooklyn and Aaryn's friendship is unclear, the two women were pictured together alongside a bunch of friends in a photograph that has been shared widely online since news of Brooklyn's Big Brother stint was revealed.

They also follow each other on Instagram.

After Brooklyn announced on Instagram that she would be appearing on the new season, Aaryn, congratulated her.

Fans unearthed a photograph of Brooklyn and Aaryn together with a bunch of friends

Aaryn commented on Brooklyn's official Big Brother announcement 

She also took to X to ask where she could watch the show's live stream

'You're gonna kill it Brooklyn,' she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.

On Monday, Aaryn also took to X to ask where she could watch the show's live stream.

The comment irked many who remembered how her behavior prompted network bosses to add disclaimers to the feed in the first place. 

She posted: 'When do the #BB26 live feeds start? I've never watched them or even the show since before 15.'

DailyMail.com has contacted CBS for comment.  

Aaryn sparked uproar during her appearance on Big Brother 15 in 2013, in which she made a number of racist slurs.

During her stint in the compound, she targeted fellow housemate Candice Stewart by flipping over her mattress.

After warning her not to flip her mattress again, Aaryn responded back in a 'Black' accent mocking Candice, who is African American.

'Whatchu gon' do gurl...whatchu gon' do? Class girl. Where's yo class?' Aaryn mocked.

As Candice was getting worked up, GinaMarie Zimmerman joined in and confronted her with: 'You want the Black to come out?'

Disgruntled fans aired their frustrations on social media where they slammed the 'lazy' Big Brother casting team

The incident came after the Big Brother live feeds captured Aaryn and GinaMarie making racist and homophobic comments about their competitors.

'Dude, shut up, go make some rice,' Aaryn said about Helen Kim, an Asian-American housemate.

GinaMarie added: 'Andy was like, "I'm gonna punch her in the face," and I was like, "Maybe that'll make her eyes straight".'

Speaking about Howard Overby and Candice, two African-American contestants, the duo said: 'Blacks stick together... They're like tokens… They're like Black Barbie and Kens.'

The duo also said Howard and Candice's 'Blackness' was starting to come out.

Following her comments, Aaryn was dropped by her Texas-based modeling agency Zephyr Talent.

CBS released a statement claiming it does 'not condone' offensive slurs. The network later made changes to include a written warning on feeds.

Aaryn sparked uproar during her appearance on Big Brother 15 in 2013 (pictured) after making several racist comments

In her exit interview with host Julie Chen, she said: 'I do not mean to ever come off racist - that's not me and I apologise to anyone I've offended'

An advisory was also added to the episode in which the language was repeated.

Addressing her comments in exit interview, Aaryn said at the time: 'I feel horrible for that and I regret that.

'In Texas, we say things. Sometimes we joke and we don't mean it. I feel bad how it is being seen and how I've come across to people. I don't want to seem like that person.

'Being Southern, it's a stereotype and I have said some things that have been taken completely out of context. I do not mean to ever come off racist - that's not me and I apologize to anyone I've offended.'

Despite the controversy, Brooklyn is quietly confident that she will be the new winner of Big Brother.

'I'm going to be the next Big Brother winner because I'm resilient, I'm a little bit stubborn, and I don't do anything half-assed,' she said in her pre-entry interview.

Big Brother season 26 will open its doors to 16 housemates across the two-day premiere on Wednesday and Thursday night 

'I plan on making my mark by being the first married mother to win the show. This is the 26th season, it is about time that a married mother showed up, showed out, and walked away as the next winner.'

Brooklyn will be competing for the top spot alongside the likes of celebrity chef Lisa Weintraub, video store clerk Joseph Rodriguez, former marine Cedric Hodges, and crochet business owner T-Kor Clottey.

CBS previously revealed the cast will have the power to vote in a 17th houseguest for the first time.

After the premiere, Big Brother will air Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.