Early Polls Reveal Who Is Ahead for AFP on ‘Big Brother’
As “Big Brother” 27 heads into its finale, fans now cast votes for a secondary crown: America’s Favorite Player (AFP). The public vote awards $50,000 to the houseguest who resonated most with viewers over the season. This fan-driven accolade often becomes a sentimental prize, sometimes diverging from the gameplay outcome. In 2025, two standout names—Rachel Reilly and Keanu Soto—are dominating discussion and campaigning efforts as frontrunners. Fans can vote by going to CBS’ website.
Early Polling Reveals Potential Winner
Historically accurate poll released annually by Big Brother Network reveals that Keanu has a 69.46% lead. They frequently predict the winner of America’s Favorite each “Big Brother” season.
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Rachel Reilly: Fan Campaigns, Legacy, &Momentum
Rachel Reilly, a returning veteran and former “Big Brother” winner, has inspired a passionate fan push to secure her the AFP title this year. Supporters openly rally online, calling her “the true queen” and urging votes to compensate for her unexpected elimination in a twist event. Her campaign gained further traction when former contestant Brendon Villegas (Rachel’s husband) publicly asked fans to cast votes, detailing how to maximize ballots and leverage ad-watch bonus votes. Jimmy Heagerty from this season “co-signs”. Additionally, social media and fan forums emphasize Rachel’s strategic reputation, likening a vote for anyone else not to be in her camp as indirectly benefiting Keanu.
Rachel’s track record also bolsters her AFP case: over multiple seasons, she’s earned a reputation for bold gameplay, strong social instincts, and memorable moments. Her prior appearances—and win on “Big Brother” 13—give her a narrative of perseverance and legacy that many viewers find compelling. Moreover, her elimination under a surprise twist (in the “White Locust” competition) rallied a segment of the fanbase who felt she was robbed of a fair shot. Many now view AFP as a symbolic redemption.
In past seasons, AFP winners have included household favorites whose popularity outpaced their actual finish. For instance, “Big Brother” 13 awarded America’s Favorite to Jeff Schroeder, even though he was not the winner of the season. Such history illustrates that AFP often reflects the emotional resonance a player leaves with viewers rather than their game outcome.
Keanu Soto: Fan Favorite & Fan Dialogue
Meanwhile, Keanu Soto maintains a strong presence in the AFP conversation. Popularity polls consistently placed him at the top or near it, often ahead of Rachel in weekly rankings. For example, in Week 10, Keanu held approximately 65.4% in a popularity poll, while Rachel lagged behind with about 14%.
Fans cite his underdog narrative, competitive performances, and often-sympathetic portrayal in the house as reasons to back him. In many social media threads and fan discussions, Keanu emerges as the option for those who want an AFP winner aligned with active gameplay rather than reputation or legacy. Some fans even suggest splitting votes between him and Rachel to hedge bets.
However, Keanu faces challenges: his eviction from the house before finale night removes his capacity to campaign further or directly engage with viewers. That said, his existing popularity and strong narrative might sustain momentum. The contrast between his consistent in-game presence and Rachel’s legacy narrative frames a tension: will viewers reward performance, or sentiment?
As voting lines shut before the finale, the race for AFP sets up a narrative counterpoint to the main game outcome. Whether Rachel’s legacy appeal or Keanu’s competitive persona secures the title, the results will reflect which kind of connection viewers value most.
