The competitive reality series, The Traitors, has attracted a host of celebrities, but not every notable figure is eager to participate. Despite its growing popularity since its U.S. premiere in 2023, several high-profile individuals have opted out of joining the latest season, which offers contestants a chance to win $250,000.
The first season featured a blend of reality stars and everyday contestants, including Cirie Fields and Brandi Glanville. Season 2 saw a shift to an all-celebrity cast, featuring names such as Sandra Diaz-Twine and Phaedra Parks. The most recent season further capitalized on the show’s fame, introducing contestants like Chrishell Stause and Gabby Windey. Despite the allure, some celebrities have declined invitations for personal or professional reasons.
Notable Declines from Season 3
Among those who turned down the opportunity is NeNe Leakes, a prominent figure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. In July 2025, she shared on the podcast “Humble Brag With Crystal and Cynthia” that a family emergency prevented her from participating. Leakes revealed that her son, Brentt, had been hospitalized since May 2025, following serious health issues, including a heart transplant in July 2024. She expressed her excitement about the show but felt unable to commit given her son’s condition.
Nick Viall, known for his role as a contestant on The Bachelor, also confirmed that he was approached to join but cited a busy professional schedule as the reason for his decline. During the July 2025 episode of his podcast, “Viall Files,” he stated, “I couldn’t make it work.”
Concerns Over Image and Friendship
Comedian Matt Rogers opted out due to concerns about how he might be portrayed on the show. He expressed fears of receiving the “villain edit,” stating, “I’m too easy to cut into.” His podcast co-host, Bowen Yang, was also offered a role but declined, fearing that their dynamic would lead to predictable outcomes in the game. Rogers explained that if both he and Yang had participated, it would have likely resulted in one being designated as a Traitor and the other as a Faithful, which they both wanted to avoid.
Alan Cumming, the host of The Traitors, shared in April 2025 that he has been inundated with requests from reality stars eager to join the show. “I have a constant barrage of reality stars now in my DMs,” he said. This enthusiastic response highlights the show’s appeal, despite the notable rejections from various celebrities.
As The Traitors continues to expand its reach and popularity across audiences, the reasons behind these declines reflect both personal priorities and concerns over public perception. The show remains a captivating blend of strategy, deception, and celebrity culture, making its future seasons highly anticipated.
