Aaryn Elizabeth Williams (née Gries; born September 3, 1990) is an American reality television personality, YouTuber, and business owner from San Marcos, Texas. She was best known for her appearance as a contestant on the reality television show Big Brother 15, where she was the subject of media attention for numerous racist comments made by her during the show.
Gries became the center of controversy after making remarks widely condemned as racist and homophobic by the show's live feed viewers as well as host Julie Chen. These comments led to negative reactions from many fans of the show, and more than 27,000 people signed a petition asking that Gries be expelled from the house before she was evicted. She also became known by the moniker "Aaryn the Aryan" in several gossip blogs that covered the controversy.
Gries comments in the house led to her losing representation from her talent agency and her job as a magazine spokesmodel.
