Myha’la Defends ‘Celebrity Traitors’ Castmates Amid Racism Allegations

Myha’la has addressed an accusation from a viewer who claimed the Industry alumna was eliminated from The Celebrity Traitors because of her race.

Myha’la became the show’s second contestant banished last week after securing the majority of votes during a roundtable elimination. Reflecting on her time competing, the actress posted an Instagram gallery highlighting her blossoming friendship with fellow castmember Richard E. Grant, who had been banished the episode prior. “Grateful for many things, but mostly for you my friend,” she wrote.

One user disputed the strategic assessment of her exit. “Unfortunately you were banished because you are BLACK,” they replied. “This is a consistent thread in this racist show. You were the first one to be strategically banished.” It is not the first time The Traitors has faced accusations regarding unconscious racist bias.

Myha’la acknowledged the viewer’s perspective while noting that her own actions contributed to the outcome. “I understand why you feel this way, and I may have agreed with you had not… sealed my own fate,” she replied, pointing to a moment where she winked at Grant, a known traitor, shortly before his elimination. “That early in the game, there is very little to grasp on to, and I gave them a lot.”

Nevertheless, she conceded that bias remains a factor. “However, I do agree that unconscious racial and cultural bias exists in this game where my authenticity or honesty or the ways in which I choose to express myself look suspicious to people who are unfamiliar with people like me,” she continued. “I had this fear coming into the game, as I am a BIG fan and also clocked right away how prevalent this is in this game.”

“I’m not saying it’s right, I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist, but I do have to defend my dear friends on this show who in no way consciously put bias on me because of my race. That’s not a fair or complete assessment of what really happened in my case.”

She added that competition formats like The Traitors should encourage more conversation around unconscious bias, observing that when under pressure, people tend to gravitate toward what they understand and push away from what they do not.

The Celebrity Traitors continues on Thursday (October 15).

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