Most reality TV romances are like fireworks. They’re loud, they’re messy, and they fizzle out before the reunion special even airs. But the story of Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss from Big Brother 23 was different. It felt real. It felt earned.
They weren't the couple making out in the pantry while everyone else was trying to cook dinner. Honestly, they weren't even a couple inside the house at all.
While the "Cookout" alliance was busy dominating the season, Derek and Claire were just two smart, strategic players trying to survive a game that was stacked against them from the start. They were allies, sure. They were friends. But the "showmance" that fans eventually obsessed over didn't actually ignite until the cameras stopped rolling and the pressure of the game finally lifted.
The Big Brother 23 Strategy That Failed (But Led to Love)
If you followed Derek and Claire on Big Brother, you know they were both powerhouse competitors who got played. Hard.
Derek X—the startup founder from New York—became an instant fan favorite because of his goofy charm and his willingness to win competitions. He was the "Veto King." But in a game like Big Brother, being a physical threat is a death sentence. He was evicted in 10th place, a victim of the most successful alliance in the show's history.
Claire's exit was even more gut-wrenching. She was a last-minute replacement for the season, an AI engineer who knew the game inside and out. She was eventually "backdoored" by her own best friend in the house, Tiffany Mitchell.
It was a cold move. It was necessary for the Cookout's mission. But it left Claire in the jury house much earlier than she expected.
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What happened in the Jury House?
This is where the magic actually started. Away from the 24/7 live feeds and the constant paranoia of being nominated, Derek and Claire finally had a chance to breathe.
They spent five straight nights talking until 5:00 a.m.
Derek later admitted in interviews that he started wondering why a connection this strong hadn't happened during the actual game. Maybe it was the stress. Maybe it was the fact that they were both so focused on their individual strategies that they didn't see what was right in front of them. Whatever the reason, by the time they walked onto the stage for the season finale in September 2021, something had shifted.
Winning The Amazing Race 34 and the $1 Million Prize
A lot of couples go on The Amazing Race and end up screaming at each other in a different language while trying to read a map. It’s the ultimate relationship test.
Derek and Claire didn't just survive it. They dominated.
In 2022, they joined the cast of Season 34. They were only eight months into their relationship at the time. Derek later confessed he had "illusions of grandeur" about how strong their foundation was before the race started. He quickly realized that racing through countries like Jordan, Iceland, and Germany is a lot harder than dating in New York City.
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They were a machine.
- They won the very first leg of the race.
- They utilized a "five-page document" of notes to track every detail they saw.
- They won three more legs, including the finale.
When they crossed the finish line in first place, they became only the second Big Brother duo to ever win the $1 million prize. They used that money to move to San Francisco and start a life together that felt like a permanent victory lap.
The Derek and Claire Split: Why They Called It Quits in 2025
Fans were devastated on September 20, 2025.
After four years together, Derek and Claire announced their breakup via a joint statement on Instagram. It wasn't a scandal. There was no cheating. No public "unfollowing" spree.
Basically, they just grew apart.
In their statement, they noted that they had simply realized they were "different people who want different things." It was the most mature reality TV breakup in recent memory. They stayed friends. They kept the cats. They even asked for "space and grace" as they moved into their next chapters.
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It’s rare to see a couple that won a million dollars together handle a split with that much dignity. Most people would have turned it into a three-part podcast series.
Where are they now in 2026?
As of early 2026, both are thriving in their respective lanes.
Derek has leaned into his "reality TV veteran" status, recently appearing as a co-host for Big Brother: Reindeer Games. He’s also been vocal about his tech ventures and his life in San Francisco.
Claire has stayed true to her roots in the tech world. She’s been open about her growth, her career shifts, and her love for travel—documenting a year where she read over 50 books and visited Japan.
They aren't "Derek and Claire" anymore. They are just Derek and Claire.
Final Insights for the Fans
The legacy of Derek and Claire from Big Brother isn't just that they won a race or found love on a soundstage. It’s that they proved you can play the reality TV game without losing your soul. They were smart, they were kind, and they were authentic.
If you’re looking to follow their journeys individually, here are the best places to keep up:
- Derek Xiao's Instagram: Best for updates on new TV projects and his "Veto King" legacy.
- Claire Rehfuss's Socials: Great for tech career insights and her ongoing travel adventures.
- Paramount+: You can still rewatch their entire journey on Big Brother 23 and The Amazing Race 34 to see the chemistry for yourself.
The lesson here? Sometimes the best thing you get from a reality show isn't the trophy. It’s the person you meet after you’re voted out.