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"The Traitors" Takes a Psychological Toll on Colton Underwood

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, February 11th 2026 at 20:07 GMT by NBC 10 Philadelphia
      Locales: Pennsylvania, California, UNITED STATES

Thursday, February 12th, 2026 - Colton Underwood's journey from handing out roses on The Bachelor to navigating the treacherous landscape of CBS' The Traitors has captivated audiences, but the former reality star insists the biggest challenge wasn't physical, but profoundly psychological. In a recent interview with TODAY, Underwood opened up about the mental toll the game exacted, revealing a depth of strategic complexity that surpasses the emotional trials of his previous reality TV foray.

The Traitors, a social deduction game inspired by the Swedish format Forradaren, pits a group of contestants against each other. Hidden among them are "Traitors" whose mission is to eliminate the "Faithful" without being detected. Each night, the Traitors secretly "murder" a Faithful, and each day, the contestants attempt to identify and banish the Traitors through a tense roundtable discussion and vote. This constant state of suspicion, Underwood explains, is what truly separates The Traitors from other competitive reality shows.

"The hardest part about 'The Traitors' was the mental aspect," Underwood stated. "You're constantly questioning people, constantly wondering if they're a traitor or not, and you don't know who to trust." This isn't simply a matter of spotting a liar; it's about navigating a web of nuanced behaviors, calculated omissions, and deliberate misdirection. Unlike The Bachelor, where genuine connection and emotional vulnerability were encouraged, The Traitors demands a calculated detachment and the ability to convincingly feign both trustworthiness and suspicion.

The show forces contestants to engage in a constant assessment of non-verbal cues, scrutinizing micro-expressions and subtle shifts in body language. It's a high-stakes exercise in emotional intelligence, but one twisted by the knowledge that any perceived sincerity could be a carefully constructed facade. This perpetual state of alert, Underwood admits, is "exhausting." The mental strain isn't just about identifying the Traitors; it's about being a convincing Faithful, and simultaneously, protecting oneself from becoming a target.

Dr. Anya Sharma, a cognitive psychologist specializing in deception and social dynamics, explains that The Traitors leverages fundamental aspects of human psychology. "The game capitalizes on our inherent need for trust, while simultaneously undermining it," she says. "This creates a state of cognitive dissonance, where individuals are forced to reconcile conflicting information and emotional responses. The constant ambiguity activates the amygdala, the brain's fear center, leading to heightened anxiety and stress."

The shift from searching for a life partner to actively deceiving and strategizing against others represents a significant departure for Underwood, who previously presented a persona focused on romance and sincerity. He acknowledged this contrast, stating, "This is a game. You're playing with people's emotions and their trust. It's a different kind of pressure." This 'different kind of pressure' highlights a fascinating evolution in reality television. Where once the focus was on 'finding yourself', programs like The Traitors now emphasize strategic thinking, manipulation, and the willingness to prioritize personal gain above all else.

Underwood's success on The Traitors, culminating in a second-place finish, has demonstrated his adaptability and strategic acumen. He's successfully rebranded himself, proving he's more than just the "Bachelor" audiences once knew. His performance has resonated with viewers, establishing him as a fan-favorite and a skilled player within the competitive reality TV landscape. The game's appeal extends beyond simple entertainment; it offers a compelling examination of human behavior under pressure, revealing how easily trust can be eroded and how skillfully deception can be employed.

Beyond Underwood's personal journey, The Traitors reflects a broader trend in reality television toward more complex and intellectually stimulating formats. Viewers are increasingly drawn to shows that demand more than just emotional investment - they want to witness strategic gameplay, psychological maneuvering, and the unraveling of intricate plots. The Traitors delivers on all fronts, and its continued popularity suggests that the genre of social deduction games is here to stay. Underwood's embrace of this new challenge signals a willingness to break free from typecasting and explore the darker, more strategic side of reality television.