Big Brother Star Vince Panaro Finally Addresses His "Cheatmance" & Relationship Status

Big Brother 27 runner-up Vince Panaro has finally broken his silence on the swirling "cheatmance" rumors and his relationship with longtime girlfriend Kelsey following his time in the house. He's owning up to his actions and giving fans a candid update.

TL;DR

• Vince Panaro admits his in-house actions with Morgan Pope were "disrespectful" to his girlfriend Kelsey.
• Vince and Kelsey are currently "taking time to process everything individually" after talking things out.
• Morgan Pope maintains her relationship with Vince was strictly platonic and they haven't spoken since the finale.

Unpacking Vince Panaro's Big Brother 27 Journey & Post-Show Reflections

Whew, Big Brother 27 sure delivered on the drama, didn't it? And at the heart of much of it was runner-up Vince Panaro. After the finale wrapped up in September, fans have been on pins and needles wondering what would happen with Vince and his long-term girlfriend, Kelsey, especially after his super-close bond with fellow houseguest Morgan Pope.

Well, the wait is over! On Monday, October 20, Vince dropped a new YouTube video titled "Post Big Brother 27 Thoughts" to clear the air. He dives deep into his experience, the "cheatmance" allegations, and gives us the lowdown on where things stand with Kelsey now.

The "Cheatmance" That Had Everyone Talking Inside and Out

If you followed Big Brother 27, you know the deal. Vince, who had been with Kelsey for seven years before entering the house in July, developed an incredibly close bond with Morgan Pope. Viewers (and Zingbot!) couldn't help but notice the cuddling, spooning, and even sharing a bed (separated by a "pillow fort," as Morgan explained).

This led to a ton of speculation and backlash, with many accusing Vince of "emotionally cheating." Kelsey's reactions on social media during the season also made it clear this was indeed a big problem back home. It was a pressure cooker situation designed to see if houseguests would crack, and for Vince, it certainly tested his personal life.

Vince Panaro Takes Full Responsibility for His Actions

In his video, Vince didn't shy away from the criticism. He confessed that "lines started to blur" inside the unique Big Brother environment. He truly felt "any level of affection was normal in that alternate reality I was living in." When asked how he could be "that stupid" not to see it, he admitted, "You'd be surprised, I can be that stupid, I guess."

"In hindsight, can I see how that's disrespectful to having a girlfriend? Yes, 100 percent. And I'm sorry for that. And to be honest, that's on me 100,000 percent, because I'm the one who set the boundaries. I was the one who was in a relationship."

— Vince Panaro on his Big Brother actions

He explained that his closeness with Morgan "helped me mentally" in the house, providing a "level of comfort" and serving as "amazing game play and friend." He recognized Morgan as a "force to be reckoned with" who could keep him safe. But he now acknowledges that this wasn't respectful to Kelsey outside the house and he "should have been extra cautious."

Where Do Vince & Kelsey Stand After Big Brother 27?

Perhaps the most pressing question for fans was about Vince and Kelsey's relationship status. Vince revealed that his main priority after leaving the house was talking to her. "Kelsey and I have talked everything out," he shared. "We have talked about everything and anything possible, and we're currently taking time to process everything individually, and, you know, figure out what things look like after that."

He praised Kelsey for showing him immense respect by being the first person he saw after the finale, sticking around to have those difficult conversations. He noted she "could have left and never spoken to me again." Vince deeply appreciates that she was there to ensure he was "okay mentally" knowing the backlash, but also respects her need to "take her own independent time and figure out what she wants and to process her own experience individually." This mature approach suggests a path forward, even if it's not a clear-cut reconciliation yet.

Morgan Pope Shares Her Side: Platonic Boundaries & No Contact

Vince isn't the only one who has spoken out. Before his video, Morgan Pope, who finished third in Big Brother 27, shared her perspective on The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp podcast on October 16. Morgan consistently maintained that her relationship with Vince was "strictly platonic," even though viewers labeled it a "cheatmance."

She emphasized that "those boundaries were clear" inside the house and noted the "misogyny" in the backlash she received, feeling she was getting "the worst of it because I'm a woman." Zingbot's infamous roast, calling her Vince's "girlfriend," definitely caught her off guard. Morgan admitted going into the diary room after that, confused why their friendship was being perceived as anything more.

As for their current connection, Morgan confirmed they "have not communicated since the finale." She wished Vince well on stage, telling him, "I'm always gonna have your back. If you want to talk, you know how to find me." Despite the fan outcry, Morgan has no ill will and hopes he's doing okay, reiterating that her intentions were never romantic.

Vince Panaro's Reflections on Being a "Big Brother" Villain

Vince admitted that he "never wanted to embarrass anybody," especially Kelsey, who "didn't sign up for the show." He feels "really, really bad" about hurting people, even if unintentionally, and stated that's something he has to live with. He took full responsibility, regardless of their pre-show relationship status, acknowledging that his actions set the boundaries and that the "way that it looked" was on him.

Despite the personal turmoil, Vince still called his time on Big Brother an "incredible experience" and says he's an "even bigger fan" now. He reflected on how he hoped people would see his vulnerability and struggles, but instead, he felt he became "the person that people love to hate" because of perceived "pity parties," "crying too much," "lying too much," or "emotionally cheating."

While the future of his relationship with Kelsey is still being figured out, Vince's candidness offers some closure on the season's biggest personal controversy. And who knows, maybe we'll see this self-proclaimed "Big Brother legend in the making" back on our screens one day!

Frequently Asked Questions About Vince Panaro and the "Big Brother 27" Drama What is Vince Panaro's current relationship status with Kelsey? Vince Panaro announced in his YouTube video that he and his longtime girlfriend, Kelsey, have talked everything out and are currently "taking time to process everything individually" to figure out what their future holds. Did Vince Panaro apologize for his behavior on Big Brother 27? Yes, Vince Panaro explicitly apologized in his YouTube video, admitting that his close actions with Morgan Pope were "disrespectful" to Kelsey and took "100,000 percent" responsibility for setting those boundaries. What did Morgan Pope say about her "cheatmance" with Vince? Morgan Pope maintained on The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp podcast that her relationship with Vince was "strictly platonic" and that clear boundaries were always in place. She also stated they have not communicated since the finale. Who won Big Brother Season 27? Ashley Hollis was crowned the winner of Big Brother Season 27, taking home the $750,000 grand prize, with Vince Panaro finishing as the runner-up. Sources

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• Nardino, Meredith. "Big Brother 27’s Vince Panaro, Girlfriend Kelsey Taking Time Apart After 'Cheatmance'." Us Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025.
• Perlmutter, Rebecca. "‘Big Brother’: Morgan Pope Talks ‘Receiving the Worst’ of Vince Panaro ‘Cheatmance’ Blame." Swooon, 16 Oct. 2025.
• Joest, Mick. "Big Brother's Vince Panaro Addresses Current Status With Girlfriend Kelsey, Relationship With Morgan In Video Update." CinemaBlend, 20 Oct. 2025.
• Staff. "Big Brother’s Vince Panaro admits his ‘stupid’ behavior was ‘disrespectful’ to girlfriend Kelsey." The U.S. Sun, 20 Oct. 2025.
• Staff. "Big Brother’s Vince Panaro speaks out on ‘cheatmance’ with Morgan & Kelsey status." The U.S. Sun, 20 Oct. 2025.