The Five Shocking Events Of The Coup D'État: How One Big Brother Twist Changed The Game Forever
The "Coup d'État" is arguably the most powerful and controversial twist in the history of the American *Big Brother* reality show, a single, game-breaking ability that allowed one player to instantly overthrow the Head of Household (HOH) and change the week's nominations. As of today, December 19, 2025, the most famous use of this power—a move that sent shockwaves through the house and led to one of the show's only player expulsions—occurred over a decade ago during *Big Brother 11* (BB11), fundamentally altering the season's trajectory and forever cementing its place in reality TV lore. This is the definitive breakdown of the twist, the controversy, and the chaotic aftermath that followed.
The twist itself was introduced to inject unpredictable drama into the game, but its implementation via "America's Vote" immediately raised questions about fairness and production interference. The raw power of the Coup d'État, meaning a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power, lived up to its name, giving one houseguest the authority to bypass the core mechanics of the game and execute a strategic strike at the most vulnerable moment: the live eviction ceremony.
The Central Figures: Jeff Schroeder and Chima Simone Benson
The Coup d'État is inextricably linked to the two houseguests at the center of the controversy: the player who wielded the power and the Head of Household whose reign was abruptly terminated.
Jeff Schroeder: The Wielder of the Coup
- Full Name: Jeffrey "Jeff" Schroeder
- Season(s): *Big Brother 11* (BB11) and *Big Brother 13* (BB13)
- Occupation: Former professional baseball player, media personality.
- Key Role: Won the Coup d'État via America's Vote in BB11. Used it to save his allies and target his enemies.
- Post-BB Career: Competed on *The Amazing Race* (Season 16) with his showmance partner and BB11 winner, Jordan Lloyd. The couple later married and appeared on *Marriage Boot Camp*.
- Game Style: Known for his charming personality, strong social game, and reliance on America's favor.
Chima Simone Benson: The Overthrown HOH
- Full Name: Chima Simone Benson
- Season: *Big Brother 11* (BB11)
- Occupation: Freelance journalist and television personality.
- Key Role: Was the Head of Household when Jeff used the Coup d'État. Her nominations (Lydia Tavera and Russell Kairouz) were nullified.
- Controversy: The stress and perceived unfairness of the twist, combined with other in-house conflicts, contributed to her later, unprecedented expulsion from the game.
- Expulsion Details: Chima was removed by producers for violating the rules after she threw her microphone into the pool and refused to comply with production requests.
Unpacking the Coup d'État Twist: Mechanics and Controversy
The Coup d'État was introduced as a "game-changing power" that allowed the holder to secretly replace the Head of Household's nominations with their own choices, *after* the Power of Veto (PoV) ceremony had already taken place. This completely blindsided the HOH and the house, as it was used during the live eviction show on August 13, 2009 (the episode aired on August 14, 2009).
The Problem with America's Vote
The core controversy of the Coup d'État was not the power itself, but how it was awarded. Unlike most advantages in *Big Brother*, which are won through skill-based competitions, the Coup d'État was given to Jeff Schroeder by an America's Vote.
Many fans and former houseguests viewed this as production heavily influencing the game to save their favored houseguests (Jeff and his showmance partner, Jordan Lloyd) and target a strong, antagonistic player (Jessie Godderz). The twist essentially negated the entire week of game play by the HOH, Chima Simone, and her alliance, making the HOH competition, the nominations, and the PoV competition all meaningless. This raised serious questions about the integrity of the game's competitive structure, a recurring theme in *Big Brother* history with twists like the BB Takeover and The Coaches Twist.
The Five Shocking Events Triggered by the Coup d'État
Jeff's use of the Coup d'État was a chain reaction that led to some of the most memorable and chaotic moments in *Big Brother 11* and the show's history.
1. The Overthrow of HOH Chima
In a dramatic live ceremony, Jeff revealed he had won the Coup d'État. He immediately nullified Chima's nominations of Lydia Tavera and Russell Kairouz, saving his former ally and a potential vote for his side. This act of "political" rebellion instantly made Jeff the most powerful person in the house, stripping Chima of her authority in a humiliating fashion.
2. The Eviction of Jessie Godderz
Jeff nominated two new houseguests: Jessie Godderz and Natalie Martinez. Jessie, a bodybuilder who was a returning houseguest from *Big Brother 10*, was the primary target of Jeff's alliance. The house quickly voted to evict Jessie, who was blindsided by the sudden shift in power. This move successfully dismantled a powerful opposing alliance, paving the way for Jeff and Jordan's dominance later in the season.
3. The Veto of Mike "Boogie" Malin (BB7 Precedent)
While Jeff's move is the most famous, the Coup d'État was first seen in *Big Brother 7: All-Stars*. Mike "Boogie" Malin won the power, but it was revoked by the producers before he could use it because he broke the strict secrecy rule surrounding the twist. This earlier incident highlighted the immense volatility of the power and the producers' commitment to managing its impact.
4. Chima's Expulsion
The most extreme consequence of the Coup d'État was the subsequent expulsion of Chima Simone. Feeling targeted, disrespected, and believing the game was rigged against her due to America's interference, Chima's behavior spiraled. She refused to participate in the game, verbally abused production staff, and, most famously, threw her microphone—a vital piece of equipment—into the hot tub. Her refusal to comply with the rules led to her being removed from the game by the producers, a rare event in the history of *Big Brother*.
5. The Rise of the "Jeff and Jordan" Showmance
The Coup d'État solidified Jeff and Jordan's position in the house. Jordan went on to win *Big Brother 11*, and her connection with Jeff, which began as a showmance, became one of the most beloved relationships in the show's history. Their popularity, demonstrated by the massive America's Vote for the Coup d'État, was a key factor in their success and their subsequent appearances on other reality programs.
Topical Authority and Key Entities
The Coup d'État remains a watershed moment in *Big Brother* history, often cited in discussions about the fairness of production twists. It is a key reference point when discussing controversial game mechanics, America's influence on the game, and the thin line between a twist and a production fix. The event directly involves and influences a significant number of houseguests and game elements:
- Jeff Schroeder (Coup Winner)
- Chima Simone Benson (Overthrown HOH / Expelled)
- Jordan Lloyd (BB11 Winner / Jeff’s Partner)
- Jessie Godderz (Evicted Target)
- Russell Kairouz (Saved Nominee)
- Lydia Tavera (Saved Nominee)
- Natalie Martinez (New Nominee)
- Mike "Boogie" Malin (BB7 Coup Winner)
- Julie Chen Moonves (Host)
- Head of Household (HOH)
- Power of Veto (PoV)
- America's Vote
- Big Brother 11
- Big Brother 7: All-Stars
- Expulsion (Rare Event)
- Showmance
- Jury
- Nominations
- Eviction Ceremony
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