How Vanessa Rousso Played a Frustratingly Brilliant Big Brother Game (Despite Not Winning)

When the live feeds first turned on in June, we saw Vanessa laying down upon one of the dentist chairs because she was a Have-Not that week. She was dejected and depressed, greatly missing the life she had before entering the house. Since she was an introvert, Vanessa was a non-entity early on. But that position changed drastically shortly thereafter. Beginning with Shelli’s first Head of Household reign, Vanessa was put into the forefront as joined in with Shelli, Shelli’s mate Clay, Austin, Liz, and later, Liz’s sister Julia as a member of the strong Sixth Sense alliance. It was a partnership that ruled the house for the entire month of July.

People often root for the underdogs, not the favorites. Granted, being born and bred in the Bronx, I am a New York Yankees fan, but I recognize there is a greatly significant negative sentiment nationally towards my favorite baseball team. Simply put, the Yankees have won for many, many years, as their 27 world championships have shown. The same popular anti-rooting interests apply to other historically victorious clubs like the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

The Sixth Sense alliance ran the house for a long while, and their constant presence grew tedious. Their victories were too plentiful for cheer. 

During her several Head of Household reigns, it was evident that a big part of Vanessa’s game was not being held solely responsible for any actions. Whether it was deciding to target Jeff or plotting to backdoor Austin or even backtracking on the targeting-Austin plan, Vanessa made sure they were communal decisions, obtaining support for all that she has done. 

In the occasional days she was not in power, as in the week James was Head of Household for the second time, Vanessa’s penchant for constant conversation turned to overdrive. With her two closest allies on the chopping block then, Shelli and Clay, Vanessa quickly bounced from group-to-group to join in on various talks going on in the house. If one did not know who was actually nominated for eviction, one would think Vanessa was the target based on her paranoia.

Another key aspect to Vanessa’s strategy was referred to in a phrase she repeated over and over again this season: she didn’t “want to get any blood on” her “hands.” What most upset Vanessa all season was being accused of having sole fault for any of her actions.

Clay once told Vanessa it was her decision that got sent Jason home and caused his and Shelli’s nominations for eviction, leading to her immediate open meltdown in the backyard.

One would think a million-dollar poker player would possess an even keel attitude throughout. But Vanessa’s tear-filled outbursts also occurred when Julia accused her of manipulating her to face off against Austin at the bowling veto challenge, and when explaining the eviction of Austin to Liz. 

For someone who has lorded over the game for the three long months, some ownership by Vanessa of her feelings, decisions and activities (especially to us in the Diary Room) would’ve made observing her much more pleasant.

Two couples formed close relationships within the house: Clay and Shelli, Austin and Liz.

Clay and Shelli only first kissed on the night before Clay’s eviction but they had constantly isolated themselves together in the weeks prior, especially laying together in the Head of Household bedroom.

After weeks of persistence by Austin, Liz couldn’t resist his charms and finally became his girl. 

The sessions of a romantic nature were nauseating enough to watch, but really spoiling the environment was the increasing entitlement any of the Sixth Sense alliance had felt. As if their actions deserved little consequence or backlash. Winning came nearly simple for these particular players but as mentioned previously in this article, their victories didn’t exactly breed content for most fans.

Amidst all of this, Vanessa strongly supported the couples, through and through. Two of her fellow house guests that were Have Nots alongside Vanessa that first week were Liz and Austin, both of whom she would form the longest lasting bonds.

When Shelli felt no one was happy to see Clay win his power of veto, Vanessa capitulated, leading to the eviction of Jason. When Liz and Julia were eviction nominees, Vanessa deemed it as the twins’ decision of who should leave. When Vanessa became the Head of Household at Final Five, her true target was Johnny Mac and not Austin/Liz. 

The traditional strategical move to split up couples in the Big Brother house wasn’t ever an initial consideration for Vanessa.

It comes as no surprise her approach to the “Big Brother” game was similar to the game of poker. The different cards that are dealt, the reads and tells of fellow players and the decisions on how to play hands are a constant.

Vanessa’s thoughts on strategy were nearly non-stop. Her go-to maneuver whenever a fellow ally would come in to power was instructing them on how he or she should handle their game… with benefits to her own game, of course.

Vanessa was adamant all summer long about keeping to her word. Her word was golden. She once even proudly proclaimed, “I stick to my deals” — a statement made two weeks after her creation then destruction of the Dark Moon alliance (that meant to target Austin). Becky heavily put her on notice for her duplicity, but luckily for Vanessa during Becky’s HOH reign, then-fellow eviction nominee Shelli was seen as more of a threat to the Goblins (James, Jackie, Meg).

As for mentioning to Vanessa about her full-on game, as James had done on August 29… she didn’t want to hear it, and played the victim card yet again.