Anticipation for season four of The Traitors has reached a fever pitch, and early spoilers suggest the new installment will waste no time shaking up expectations.
As the hit reality competition returns to Peacock, insiders reveal that respected competition veterans face surprisingly early exits, while an unexpected celebrity quietly rises as one of the season’s most compelling players.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
The fourth season premieres Thursday, January 8, with a three episode launch, followed by weekly releases. According to sources familiar with the production, the opening stretch of the season delivers immediate chaos inside the castle.
In previous seasons, contestants from long running competition franchises such as Survivor and Big Brother have often dominated strategic gameplay. This time, that reputation appears to work against them.
A production insider claims that CBS veterans were quickly identified as major threats due to their proven track records.
“The CBS gamers were immediate targets,” the source explained. “Their past success made them too dangerous to keep around for long.”
Among the early casualties are Ian Terry and Natalie Anderson, both of whom are reportedly eliminated much sooner than fans might expect.
Ian Terry made history when he won Big Brother 14 in 2012 at just 21 years old, becoming the youngest winner in the show’s history. He later returned for Big Brother: All Stars in 2020 and has remained a respected figure in competitive reality television.
Natalie Anderson is widely regarded as one of the strongest players in Survivor history, having won Blood vs Water in San Juan Del Sur before returning for Winners at War. Her reputation as a strategic powerhouse reportedly made her an early target within the Traitors’ castle.
While those exits are likely to frustrate hardcore competition fans, insiders suggest the shakeups pave the way for fresh storylines and unexpected dynamics.
A Surprise Breakout Steals Attention
Much like previous seasons that helped elevate contestants such as Dylan Efron and Parvati Shallow, season four appears poised to create another breakout star.
According to the insider, Stephen Colletti emerges as one of the season’s most surprising standouts.
“Stephen was constantly underestimated,” the source revealed. “He was often overlooked, and that allowed him to go very far in the game.”
Colletti first rose to fame as a teenager on MTV’s Laguna Beach, where his love triangle with Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari helped redefine reality television in the early 2000s. He later transitioned into scripted television, most notably appearing as Chase Adams on One Tree Hill.
Insiders believe The Traitors could mark a career resurgence for Colletti, similar to the boost Dylan Efron experienced in a previous season. His low profile approach and social awareness reportedly allowed him to avoid early suspicion while remaining influential behind the scenes.
Donna Kelce Defies Expectations
Another unexpected force this season comes from Donna Kelce, who entered the game with modest expectations from fellow contestants.
Initially perceived as a non threat due to her limited reality TV experience, Kelce quickly proved otherwise.
“The cast completely underestimated Donna,” the insider said. “They thought she would be out of her depth, but she was sharp, strategic, and unafraid to lead.”
Sources claim Kelce played a key role in shaping early alliances and driving major decisions, earning respect and quiet fear from other players.
“She was intimidating in a good way,” the source added. “People were nervous to go head to head with her.”
Familiar Glamour And A Stacked Cast
Hosting duties once again fall to Alan Cumming, whose theatrical flair has become synonymous with the franchise. Cumming’s return ensures the trademark blend of drama, camp, and psychological tension remains intact.
Season four also boasts one of the most diverse casts yet, blending reality icons, entertainers, and public figures. The lineup includes Candiace Dillard Bassett, Lisa Rinna, Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski, Michael Rapaport, Porsha Williams, Colton Underwood, Kristen Kish, and Monét X Change, among others.
With early eliminations already disrupting expectations and new personalities stepping into the spotlight, season four appears set to deliver one of the most unpredictable runs in the series’ history.
If the opening episodes are any indication, The Traitors is once again proving that reputation alone is not enough to survive inside the castle.
