Reality star with homophobia scandal lands new Texas-based show on Bravo
Small Town Trouble: Texas is coming to screens in November (Bravo)
Bravo has confirmed the cast and premiere details for its new reality series Small Town Trouble: Texas, including Big Brother alum Aaryn Williams, who faced controversy for homophobic and racist remarks.
Set in Boerne (Bur-nee), Texas, Small Town Trouble: Texas follows a “charming yet unconventional group of wives, mothers and social insiders”, as well as their husbands, as “conservative small-town values collide with forbidden attraction, messy friendships, and shocking secrets”.
The cast includes Aaryn Williams, Alli McAnelly, Annari Uys, Gabby Hernandez Huffman and Hailey Head, along with their husbands Nick Williams, Blake McAnelly, Duan Uys, Jordan Huffman and Josh Marsalis.
Judging by the trailer, shared on Instagram, it appears there will be plenty of bisexual drama, with one cast member saying: “You’d be surprised how many women are married with traditional families, but also sleeping with women.”
Why Aaryn Williams’ casting is controversial
Williams, formerly Aaryn Gries, appeared on Big Brother Season 15 in 2013 and was the ninth housemate evicted, to a wall of boos from the audience.
During her time in the house, she made homophobic, racist, and other insensitive comments.
She told an Asian-American co-star to “shut up, go make some rice”, and used a mocking accent when talking to a Black co-star. She also referred to a gay co-star as “that queer”.
During her eviction interview, she had told host Julie Chen: “In Texas, we say things that… Sometimes we joke and we don’t mean it.”
Speaking to the LA Times after the show, Williams acknowledged her bad behaviour, saying her comments were not meant to be taken seriously. She added: “Texas has nothing to do with my mistake. I am so sorry for bringing Texas into my problem.”
She was subsequently dropped by her modelling agency.
Is Aaryn Williams bisexual?
In Bravo’s cast bios, Williams is described as “polarising, magnetic and often at the centre of the drama”, while being “focused on personal growth, owning her mistakes, and becoming a better version of herself”.
Bravo adds: “A content creator who was publicly outed as bisexual, she’s built a new life on her own terms with her incredibly supportive husband, Nick, and four daughters whom she homeschools.”
The description continues: “Having openly reckoned with her complicated past, Aaryn is focused on personal growth, owning her mistakes and becoming a better version of herself.”
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