BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Nene Leakes attends the 5th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards at The Beverly Hilton on June 20, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Jason Lee/Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards)
Peacock’s reality series, The Traitors, has attracted an impressive lineup of celebrities since its U.S. debut in 2023. Despite its popularity, several high-profile figures have turned down invitations to participate in the show’s intense competition for a cash prize of up to $250,000. The program features participants navigating a mafia-style game, with Season 1 showcasing a mix of reality stars and public contestants. Season 2 shifted focus, featuring only celebrities, including notable figures like Sandra Diaz-Twine and Peter Weber. The third season saw even more star power, with cast members such as Chrishell Stause and Gabby Windey leading to record viewership.
Despite its allure, not all celebrities are willing to join the ranks of contestants. Nene Leakes, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, disclosed that she declined an invitation for Season 3 due to a family health crisis. In a podcast interview in July 2025, Leakes shared, “I was really excited about doing it, by the way. I couldn’t do The Traitors because my son is in the hospital and he’s still in the hospital.” Her son, Brentt, has faced serious health challenges, including a heart transplant and complications that required ongoing medical attention.
Leakes’ situation highlights the personal considerations that can overshadow professional opportunities. She expressed concern about committing to the show while her son was unwell, stating, “My fear was committing and then having to go back to them and say, I can’t do it.”
Another notable name, Nick Viall, also turned down an offer to join the show. During an episode of his podcast, “Viall Files,” in July 2025, he admitted he was unable to participate because he was “booked and busy” with other professional commitments. Viall’s decision reflects the balancing act many celebrities must navigate between personal projects and new opportunities.
Comedian Matt Rogers cited concerns about being portrayed unfavorably. On the same podcast, he remarked, “I’m too easy to cut into. I will just give them so many clips that they could put together to be like, ‘This bitch.’” Rogers expressed a desire to avoid what he termed the “villain edit,” which can heavily influence public perception of participants on reality television.
Co-host of the “Las Culturistas” podcast, Bowen Yang, was also approached for a role but declined alongside Rogers. He noted the potential for conflict if both were cast, saying, “I know what would have happened had they put Bowen and I on the same season. 100 percent one of us would have been a Traitor and one of us would have been a Faithful. We can’t have that.”
As interest in The Traitors continues to grow, host Alan Cumming revealed that many reality stars actively reach out to him for a chance to join the show. He shared in an April 2025 interview, “I have a constant barrage of reality stars now in my DMs asking me to be on The Traitors.” His comments illustrate the ongoing appeal of the series and the competitive nature of reality television.
While the allure of competing in a high-stakes environment is strong, personal circumstances often dictate whether celebrities accept invitations to participate. As The Traitors gears up for future seasons, the decisions made by stars like Leakes, Viall, Rogers, and Yang highlight the complex interplay between personal priorities and public personas in the world of reality TV.
