‘Big Brother’: Paulie Calafiore Explains Why He Wouldn’t Work With Nicole Franzel If He Were on the Show

One of the more polarizing houseguests on Big Brother this season is Big Brother 18 winner, Nicole Franzel. Many fans love her and are rooting for her to win, but there are also many who are rooting against her. Franzel is currently in the house with Cody Calafiore, who was on Big Brother 16 with her. However, she also starred on a season with Calafiore’s brother — Paulie.

Paulie, who also stars on The Challenge, recently caught up with Showbiz Cheat Sheet, and while discussing many topics, he revealed whether he would work with Franzel if he were in the house this season.

Nicole Franzel first starred on ‘Big Brother 16’

Franzel’s first season of Big Brother came in Season 16. Her houseguests eventually evicted her in Week 7, but Franzel then returned to the game after winning a jury battle back. She, however, got evicted again in Week 10 and ultimately finished in seventh place that season.

Cody, on the other hand, dominated that season. He won three Head of Household competitions and three Power of Veto comps, according to Fandom. He was also in one of the most dominant alliances of all-time, The Hitmen.

The Hitmen consisted of Cody and Derrick Levasseur. The duo ultimately went all the way to the final two together, but Levasseur came out on top while Cody was the runner-up.

She worked with Paulie Calafiore on ‘Big Brother 18’

Franzel returned for Big Brother 18, as she was one of four returning houseguests that season. However, another twist that year was that there were two siblings of former houseguests, and Paulie was, of course, one of the two.

Paulie was ultimately a comp beast and worked with Franzel that season, but he didn’t make it quite as far in the show as his brother did. His houseguests ultimately voted to evict him in Week 8.

“Cody is very good at the social game, and he suppresses the competitive side,” Paulie said when discussing the differences between his and Cody’s games. “He’s competitive when it comes to wanting to win, but he suppresses the competitive side that’s like the psychological warfare. Whereas I’ve got a great social game, but I have a very hard time suppressing the psychological warfare, which came out on my season of Big Brother, like when I would sit and talk sh*t to people before veto competitions, [Head of Household] competitions.”

Franzel ended up winning that season as she won over Paul Abrahamian by a 5-4 vote, becoming the first woman to beat a man in the final two, according to TV Guide. One of the five votes she received came from Paulie.

Paulie Calafiore revealed whether he would work with Franzel again on ‘Big Brother’

Franzel is currently on her third season of Big Brother. Again, she is in there with a Calafiore brother — Cody. 

While Cody and Franzel have worked together so far, Paulie recently revealed whether he would work with her again if he were in the house.

“No,” Paulie said. “I’ve watched her game enough now to kind of just be like, ‘Oh, OK, I’m not going to be your shield. Good Luck.’”

So, who would Paulie work with if he were in the house? His answer is not clear-cut.

“If I was going in the house, I would kind of be looking to just start little fires, start up some sh*t, and just have fun,” Paulie said. “I would sit there, and I would be like, ‘Look, I’m going to compete in these comps, but I’m not really going to work with anybody I’m just going to kind of work with myself. … I’m just going to try and be friendly with everybody. I’m not going to talk game with anybody until about the fourth or fifth week, and see who pulls me in what direction.’ Once it got past the halfway point, that’s when I’d start ramping up the comp wins.”

Paulie also said that due to his prior relationships with Da’Vonne Rogers and Bayleigh Dayton, that he would work with them some in the house.

You can watch Franzel and Paulie’s brother, Cody, on Big Brother 22: All-Stars Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.