Peacock has issued a statement calling on viewers of 'The Traitors' Season 4 to refrain from harassing contestants online. The message emphasizes that cast members are real people deserving of respect beyond the game's drama. This comes amid heated online discussions targeting specific players like Colton Underwood.
The competition in Season 4 of Peacock's 'The Traitors' has intensified, prompting the streamer to address fan behavior. On Saturday, the official Instagram account for the show posted a statement reminding viewers to separate entertainment from personal attacks. "We are committed to making our casts feel safe, respected, and supported – on screen and off," it began. The post further clarified: "The cast of ‘The Traitors’ are real people, and what happens in the game should never lead to cyberbullying or harassment. There’s a difference between discussing a show and targeting individuals."
The statement urged fans to preserve the show's passion without negativity: "Let’s not ruin the passion for this show with unwarranted negativity and personal attacks. We appreciate your support!" This intervention follows similar issues in past seasons, including a comparable reminder last summer on the 'Love Island USA' X account, which encouraged kindness toward contestants as "real people."
In 'The Traitors,' a group of reality TV personalities is divided into Faithfuls and secret Traitors competing for a $250,000 prize. Faithfuls aim to eliminate the Traitors through votes, while Traitors work to deceive and claim the money. This season's Traitors include Lisa Rinna from 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Rob Rausch from 'Love Island USA,' and Candiace Dillard Bassett from 'Real Housewives of Potomac.' All three remain in the game, alongside Faithfuls such as Colton Underwood from 'The Bachelor,' Dorinda Medley, Eric Nam, Johnny Weir, Kristen Kish, Mark Ballas, Maura Higgins, Natalie Anderson, Stephen Colletti, Tara Lipinski, and Yam Yam Arocho.
The focus on Underwood highlights how online fervor can spill over, underscoring Peacock's efforts to protect participants in high-stakes reality formats.