Season 4 of “The Traitors” didn’t just deliver paranoia and backstabbing—it delivered discourse, as cast conflict, accusations of toxic behavior, and intense online backlash have overshadowed the show’s trademark camp and deception.
“The Traitors,” a Peacock reality competition show, is set in a remote Scottish castle and is hosted by Alan Cumming. The show brings together a cast of reality television stars, celebrities and public figures to compete in a high-stakes game of deception, strategy and trust.
At the start of the season, a small group of contestants is secretly chosen as the “Traitors” while the remaining players—known as the “Faithfuls”—attempt to identify and eliminate them. Each night, the “Traitors” “murder” a “Faithful,” while the group gathers around a round table to vote out who they believe is working against them. The winning side splits the prize money at the end.
Season 4’s problems surfaced early. Even before the premiere, fans questioned several casting choices, most notably actor and comedian Michael Rapaport and former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood. And once the episodes began airing, those initial concerns only intensified.
The chaos largely revolved around Rapaport, as he quickly became the season’s most polarizing figure. His aggressive gameplay and confrontational tone dominated early episodes, culminating in a roundtable moment that was heard around the world. In a desperate, sloppy attempt to mock the suspicion around him, Rapaport led the cast to join him in a chant of “if you’re a ‘Traitor’ and you know it, clap your hands.” This moment was widely criticized by viewers and also by his cast members as wildly insane and uncomfortable.
Backlash escalated even further when Rapaport later told Underwood, “Nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you.” Many viewers clocked it instantly and interpreted the comment as a dig at Underwood’s sexuality. Cast members Johnny Weir, Maura Higgins and Yam Yam Arocho were visibly uncomfortable, and the internet exploded with a variety of comments.
Within just hours, Rapaport was being dragged across social media, being labeled as “toxic,” “disrespectful” and “exhausting.” Fans openly called for his removal from the show, while Reddit threads dissected his odd behavior episode by episode, openly making fun of him. Of course, new rumors sparked, that production had quietly pushed up his banishment to limit the fallout—a claim the network has publicly denied.
Underwood’s presence proved controversial in its own right. His casting reignited discussion of stalking allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph, in 2020, and viewers closely scrutinized his behavior throughout the season. Fans criticized his intense gameplay and interactions with women in the castle, especially in a moment when he conveniently used the word “hostage” to describe his strategy.
Reality television veteran Lisa Rinna added fuel to the fiery discourse by referencing Underwood’s past during filming before later walking back on the comments, stating that she had been in “housewife mode,” and that the two were on good terms.
The season also unintentionally sparked even more conversations among viewers as they raised concerns about unconscious bias after two Black women were the first players eliminated. Comedian Ron Funches later revealed that the intense online discourse and bullying surrounding his social appearance led him to discover that he has autism, adding even more insanity to the season.
Whether or not Season 4 will be remembered as so chaotic it’s good or just cheap shots, one thing is certain: “The Traitors” has never brought up more conversation or division than it did this season.
