Culture

Viewers Upset Over Secret Influencers in The Traitors' New Season

January, 11, 2025-04:01

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Viewers of the BBC's popular show The Traitors have voiced frustration after discovering that several contestants on the latest season are already established influencers. Many fans of the show have praised it for showcasing “real people” from diverse backgrounds, often taking time off work to participate in the competition. However, this season has sparked backlash after sharp-eyed viewers uncovered that contestant such as Maia, Armani, and Livi were already well-known figures on social media, leading some to believe that the show has shifted its focus from ordinary participants to individuals with large online followings.

The revelation has led to speculation that the influx of influencers may have impacted the dynamics of the game, with some accusing this season of being "meaner" than previous editions. Contestants like Leanne, Livi, Tyler, and Leon have been accused of forming a "clique" that seems to target and exclude other participants. Viewers have noted the behaviour of these contestants, which appears more aggressive and manipulative, causing a stir on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One viewer tweeted, “This season is like a high school popularity contest, with the clique acting like mean girls. There is no strategy, just drama.”

TikTok user and pop culture expert @indigoreports shared her findings with her followers, pointing out the influencers among the cast. She called attention to Maia, who is described on the show as a "full-time mum," but with a notable online presence. Maia has amassed over 150,000 followers on TikTok, where she regularly shares personal content, including moments from her motherhood journey. This led fans to question the authenticity of her participation in The Traitors and whether her social media presence influenced her role on the show.

Maia’s sister, Armani, also seems to have embraced the influencer lifestyle, with a sizable following of 26,000 on TikTok. Armani gained viral attention after a video showing her dancing on a man at Reading Festival racked up millions of views. She has also ventured into music, releasing her first single on major streaming platforms. Despite their online fame, both sisters were voted off the show early on: Armani was eliminated after being exposed as a traitor, while Maia was murdered as a faithful in one of the early episodes. Their departures further fuelled the suspicion that the influencer presence may have disrupted the authenticity of the show.

In The Traitors, the central concept revolves around a mix of contestants, some of whom are "Faithfuls" who try to root out the "traitors" within the group. Tensions rise as contestants are eliminated through "banishments" and "murders," often based on strategic alliances or betrayals. The involvement of social media influencers in this environment has sparked debate about whether the game’s dynamics have shifted to focus more on drama and popularity than on the strategic gameplay that has made the series so popular in the past. As the season continues, viewers are questioning if the show can maintain its integrity or if it will increasingly cater to the influence of social media stars.