The hit reality competition show The Traitors has issued a statement urging fans to stop harassing and cyberbullying the current cast in the wake of contestant Lisa Rinna’s comment about fellow competitor Colton Underwood.
“We are committed to making our casts feel safe, respected, and supported – on screen and off,” a written statement shared via X said on Saturday, January 24. “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 continued, “Let’s not ruin the passion for this show with unwarranted negativity and personal attacks. We appreciate your support.”
The statement comes just one day after Rinna, 62, called Underwood, 33, a “stalker” amid the pair’s rising tension on season 4 of the hit reality TV series.
“Let’s talk about you being a stalker….” Rinna wrote on Friday, January 23, referring to Underwood’s past alleged harassment of ex-girlfriend Cassie Randolph.
Us Weekly reached out to Underwood at the time for comment.
Prior to Rinna’s comment, a fan of the show posted a meme of the reality TV star from her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, warning The Bachelor alum that he shouldn’t make an enemy out of Rinna while on The Traitors.
Lisa Rinna, Colton Underwood Getty Images
(Underwood and Rinna have been at odds all season long, including when Underwood tried and failed to get the Housewives star voted off the show during the Thursday, January 22, episode. Underwood has also questioned Rinna’s low-key demeanor and seemingly shaded her after Rinna banished fellow Housewife Porscha Williams.)
On Saturday, Rinna took to her Instagram Stories via video to call out the backlash her fellow contestant has received online, clarifying that she is simply playing a role on a television show.
“Hi, guys, ok so it’s come to my attention that my post that I responded to in my Housewife mode is taking on a life of its own and it’s causing real problems for Colton and I do not want this because Colton and I are great,” the reality TV star said. “He was a great and is a great nemesis for me on the show in the game. Now, as you know, if you ask me to be a Housewife I’ll bring it to you, right? That’s what I was doing, all in the name of the game. But just so you know, I am totally great with Colton. I have been texting with him. We talk. Everything is great.”
She continued in a second video also uploaded to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, “The fact that the backlash is happening, I feel horrible about because I don’t want to hurt anybody. I am here to play the game to have fun and Colton is a great nemesis for me. We had so much fun. I always, always had a great time with him. So please guys be gentle. It’s a game. It’s a TV show. We’re all doing the best we can. Don’t send death threats or do anything to jeopardize somebody’s family.”
Rinna went on to say that the pair “had so much fun” filming the show, adding that it was “really hard.”
“Listen, it’s all part of the game, even after,” she added. “So everyone, take a deep breath and just know that everything is great. It’s a game. It is a game. Try to watch it like a sporting event, you know? Like if you were watching football or wrestling, and just be gentle with everybody, because everyone is doing the best they can.”
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