Peacock’s reality competition series, The Traitors, has garnered significant attention since its U.S. premiere in 2023, drawing a diverse array of celebrities and reality TV stars. While many famous personalities have embraced the opportunity to participate, a few notable figures have turned down the chance to join the show for various personal and professional reasons.
The show, which places contestants in a mafia-style game for a grand prize of up to $250,000, has featured an impressive lineup in its three seasons. Season 1 included well-known participants like Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Brandi Glanville, while Season 2 transitioned to an all-celebrity cast, showcasing talents such as Sandra Diaz-Twine and Phaedra Parks. The latest season attracted even more viewers, with celebrities like Wells Adams and Gabby Windey taking part.
As the show’s popularity surged, so did its appeal among potential contestants. Host Alan Cumming revealed in April 2025 that he receives numerous inquiries from reality stars eager to join the cast. “I have a constant barrage of reality stars now in my DMs and in my life asking me to be on The Traitors,” Cumming stated.
Despite the growing allure of the series, not all celebrities are willing to commit. Several stars have publicly shared their reasons for declining invitations to participate in the game.
Nene Leakes: Family Comes First
One high-profile name who turned down an invitation is Nene Leakes, a prominent figure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. In a July 2025 podcast interview, Leakes expressed her excitement about the offer but ultimately had to decline due to a family health crisis. “I couldn’t do The Traitors because my son is in the hospital,” Leakes revealed. Her son, Brentt, has faced serious health challenges, including a heart transplant and subsequent hospitalization. Leakes emphasized the difficulty of committing to the show while managing her son’s health needs.
Nick Viall and Concerns About Timing
Another celebrity, Nick Viall, known for his appearances on The Bachelor, also declined an opportunity to participate. During his podcast, Viall Files, he confirmed he was approached for the show but could not make it work due to prior professional commitments. “I was booked and busy,” he stated, highlighting the challenges of balancing a demanding schedule with reality TV.
Matt Rogers and the Fear of a Negative Edit
Comedian and actor Matt Rogers expressed concerns about how he might be portrayed on the show. He mentioned on the same podcast that he worried about receiving the “villain edit,” which could distort his personality. Rogers explained, “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.’”
Bowen Yang: Avoiding Complications
Rogers also revealed that both he and his podcast cohost, Bowen Yang, were offered spots on the show. However, he felt that their participation could lead to complicated dynamics. “I know what would have happened had they put Bowen and I on the same season. One of us would have been a Traitor and one of us would have been a Faithful. We can’t have that,” he explained, indicating a desire to maintain their friendship and professional relationship.
The decisions of these celebrities illustrate the complex interplay between personal circumstances and the allure of reality television. As The Traitors continues to evolve and attract new viewers, it remains to be seen who else will accept the challenge in future seasons, and what stories will emerge from the castle in Scotland.
