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Friendly affection or emotional cheating?
A "Big Brother" Season 27 contestant is at the center of a debate about whether his close relationship with another player has been disrespectful to his girlfriend at home.
The long-running CBS reality show compiles a group of competitors to live inside a house isolated from the outside world as they face off for a $750,000 grand prize.
Vince Panaro, 34, is one of the four houseguests who remain in the current season of the competition, which is set to conclude with a finale on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Throughout the season, the California native, who is unemployed, has openly gushed over his long-term girlfriend, Kelsey.
However, in recent weeks, fans and other houseguests have called his close connection with another player, Morgan Pope, into question. Panaro and Pope have both denied that their relationship is anything other than platonic.
'If I was his girlfriend, I'd be pissed'
Fellow houseguests, including Kelley Jorgensen and Keanu Soto, called attention to Panaro and Pope's tight-knit friendship in an episode that aired on Sept. 17.
"Now they're sleeping in the same bed, she's always rubbing his back, taking such good care of him," Jorgensen said to Soto.
"Yeah, that's not a good look. Well, if I was his girlfriend, I'd be pissed," Soto said, later calling it "emotional cheating" in a confessional clip.
On social media, some fans agreed.
"Vince — everyone in America has thought you and Morgan were cheating … all … season," one person wrote on X.
Another user wrote, "He knows he crossed the line. Emotionally cheating may hurt more than physically cheating. I think genuinely caught feelings for Morgan."
The show's iconic "Zingbot" character, a robot who briefly enters the house to deliver roasts for each of the houseguests, even jabbed at the pair.
"What do you call someone who lights up when Vince enters the room, gives him long, passionate hugs and warm affectionate cuddles?" Zingbot poked. "His girlfriend."
'Big Brother' houseguests Vince, Morgan defend close friendship
Panaro and Pope attempted to set the record straight on their friendship, defending each other as their No. 1 allies in the competition.
"First of all, for the whole world, Morgan and I have a very, 100% platonic friendship," Panaro said in a confessional.
In response to Zingbot's comment, Pope said, "I get it, but it's also like, I obviously have respect for the fact that you have a girlfriend."
Vince Panaro questions relationship 'boundaries' on 'Big Brother'
In the Sept. 24 episode, Panaro was left reeling about his relationship with his girlfriend after receiving a video from loved ones at home that didn't include her.
"It was great seeing my parents, but I was kind of surprised it wasn’t from Kelsey. I am getting a little worried," he said in a confessional. "Perception wise, am I too affectionate with Morgan? We like to spend time together, and yeah we sleep in the same bed, but it's a giant bed and her head is at the opposite of me."
He continued, "Have I crossed boundaries that I'm not aware of, that I didn't think I did but maybe I did? Am I single right now? Did Kelsey dump me?"
USA TODAY attempted to reach Kelsey for comment.
What is emotional cheating?
While infidelity traditionally refers to a partner physically stepping out on their romantic relationship, there can be purely emotion-based versions of it too.
Emotional cheating occurs when someone develops a strong connection with someone other than their committed partner, leading to them sharing intimate thoughts, feelings and experiences, Sara Kuburic, a psychotherapist, previously wrote in USA TODAY.
This type of infidelity can stem from dissatisfaction in the relationship or a desire for something different. One sign of emotional cheating can be frequent contact with another person, according to Kuburic.
By this definition, the isolated nature of "Big Brother" could be a contributing factor to the public drama. Panaro is also far from the first houseguest on the show to be caught in a difficult situation when it comes to their relationship status.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Emotional cheating debate takes over 'Big Brother': When does affection go too far?
Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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