If there’s one thing The Traitors Season 4 proves right out of the gate, it’s that queer talent is absolutely running the castle this year. With The Traitors officially back, fans are already sharpening their theories, side-eyeing alliances, and—let’s be honest—picking favorites based purely on vibes. And this season? The LGBTQ lineup is stacked.
Fresh off the dramatic conclusion of The Celebrity Traitors, where the Faithfuls (Dolores Catania, Dylan Efron, Gabby Windey, and British royal Ivar Mountbatten) outplayed the deceivers, Season 4 arrives ready to raise the stakes. Premiering January 9 on Peacock (with a later release on BBC iPlayer), the new season brings reality royalty, Olympians, and five fabulous LGBTQ competitors who could very realistically walk away with the prize.
So… who’s serving strategy, who’s serving chaos, and who might secretly be the perfect traitor? Let’s break it down.
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Colton Underwood: From Bachelor Nation to Castle Calculations
Once known as The Bachelor, Colton Underwood has since rewritten his own narrative—and that kind of personal reinvention might be his greatest asset on the show. Coming out publicly in 2021, Colton has leaned into authenticity, vulnerability, and yes, a little reinvention glow-up.
Now a social media personality, host, and reality TV veteran, Colton enters the castle with an athletic mindset and a surprising amount of emotional intelligence. He knows how to read people, he knows how to perform under pressure, and he knows how to keep secrets. Whether he’s a Faithful or a Traitor, don’t underestimate him—this isn’t Bachelor drama, this is psychological warfare.
Monét X Change: Charisma, Nerve, Talent… and Strategy?
If anyone understands performance, perception, and playing to a room, it’s RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4 co-winner Monét X Change. She’s hilarious, sharp, and effortlessly commanding—qualities that can either make you beloved or paint a massive target on your back.
Monét thrives in high-pressure environments and knows when to turn it on and when to blend in. The big question is whether her larger-than-life personality will distract from her strategic chops—or mask them entirely. If Monét makes it to the roundtable, expect reads, receipts, and possibly one of the most iconic banishments the show has ever seen.
Kristen Kish: Cool, Calm, and Dangerously Focused
Top Chef winner and current host Kristen Kish brings something very different to the show’s castle: discipline. Precision. Focus. As a lesbian culinary powerhouse, Kristen knows how to work under extreme pressure without letting emotion cloud judgment.
She’s not flashy, she’s not loud—and that’s exactly what makes her dangerous. Kristen plays the long game, and whether she’s quietly observing or subtly influencing decisions, don’t be surprised if she flies under the radar while others self-destruct around her. Sometimes the scariest traitor is the one who never raises their voice.
Johnny Weir: Grace Under Pressure—or Cracks Under Suspicion?
Olympic figure skating icon Johnny Weir is no stranger to competition, scrutiny, or drama. A two-time Olympian, Johnny knows how to perform while being watched—and that skill could carry him far on the show’s latest season.
Source: @thetraitorsusJohnny brings flair, emotional intelligence, and an understanding of presentation that few can match. But in a game built on paranoia, will his expressive nature work for him—or against him? If he can balance his instinct to be open with the need to stay guarded, Johnny could glide straight into the finale.
Porsha Williams: Reality TV Instincts Activated
While best known for The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Porsha Williams is a reality TV veteran who knows how to navigate alliances, conflict, and chaos. Since joining the franchise in 2012 and exiting in 2021, she’s expanded into acting—including a role in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming—and sharpened her on-screen instincts.
Porsha understands social games better than most. She knows when to stir the pot, when to step back, and when to deliver a moment. In The Traitor castle, that intuition could be the difference between getting banished early and orchestrating someone else’s downfall.
So… Who’s Taking the Crown?
The Traitor Season 4 feels like a celebration of queer excellence wrapped in deception, drama, and high-stakes gameplay. Whether it’s Monét’s wit, Kristen’s quiet calculation, Johnny’s elegance, Colton’s adaptability, or Porsha’s reality-TV savvy, each LGBTQ contestant brings something uniquely powerful to the table.
Sneak peek of the premiere of The Traitors US 4, premiering Jan. 8 with its first three episodes on Peacock.
Part 1:#TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUS pic.twitter.com/3HYQLqmOmF
— Reality TV News/Updates (@Realitytv__fan) January 2, 2026
One thing’s for sure: this season won’t just be about who lies best—it’ll be about who understands people best. And if history has taught us anything, queer competitors tend to excel when the rules are unclear and the stakes are high.
Faithful or Traitor… may the best gay win.