In Season 4 of Peacock’s The Traitors — the celebrity edition of the strategic reality competition — actor Michael Rapaport’s aggressive move against fellow contestant Colton Underwood didn’t land as he planned. In fact, it may have sealed his fate in the castle.

A Roundtable Blow Up That Missed the Mark

The pivotal moment occurred during Episode 5’s roundtable discussion — banishment ceremony — when tensions were already high. 

Underwood had just mentioned Rapaport’s name as a possible Traitor, prompting Rapaport to launch into a forceful attack.

 In front of the group, Rapaport called him “conniving” and said, “Nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you,” aiming to paint Underwood as deceitful and suspicious.

However, that line — particularly the reference to Underwood’s “secret” — struck a raw nerve.

 Underwood had earlier shared his own backstory on the show, including his journey of coming out publicly in 2021 after years in the closet. 

When Rapaport’s comment echoed this history, Underwood snapped back, saying, “You think it was fun for 29 years of my life?” The remark shifted the atmosphere from gameplay to personal unease.

Controversy Within the Castle

What Rapaport framed as trash-talk intended to expose insecurity instead came across to many castmates as insensitive and potentially homophobic. 

Contestants like Johnny Weir and Yam Yam Arocho openly criticized the comment, arguing it crossed a line. 

“Very low blow,” noted Love Island’s Maura Higgins, capturing the sentiment of several players.

Others at the table began to see Rapaport himself as the stronger candidate for banishment, not because he was a Traitor, but because his behavior had become a distraction from the core strategy of the game. 

“At this point, I don’t want to be in the same room as you,” Underwood told him before writing his name down.

Backlash and Banishment

In the end, Rapaport received the majority of votes and was banished from the competition — revealing that, ironically, he had been a Faithful rather than a Traitor.

 His aggressive strategy had not only failed to sway the group but had damaged his standing with other players.

In his exit confessional, Rapaport acknowledged going too far, insisting his remarks were game-focused and not meant to target Underwood’s sexuality, and offering a sincere apology for any offense caused.

A Broader Reaction

Viewers and social media audiences have reacted strongly to Rapaport’s role this season, with many claiming his presence has disrupted the show’s usual balance of strategy and intrigue and calling for his removal — even humorously invoking AI tools to “get him off the show.”

Critics outside the castle also note Rapaport’s polarizing personality and controversial public image have made him a lightning rod this season, overshadowing the gameplay itself.

Why This Moment Matters

Rapaport’s misfire illustrates a key risk in The Traitors: when personal attacks slip into territory that feels hurtful rather than strategic, they can unify opponents against you — even if you’re technically on the same side. 

His attempt to rattle Underwood with a Trump-like rhetorical hit didn’t just fall flat; it rallied the room and accelerated his exit.