Lisa Rinna Stands by Colton Underwood on ‘The Traitors’ During Criticism: “Let’s All Take a Deep Breath and Remember, Everything Is Fine”
Lisa Rinna Defends Colton Underwood Amid Controversy on The Traitors
Lisa Rinna has publicly defended her co-star Colton Underwood following escalating backlash during the latest episode of The Traitors, a reality competition series on Peacock.
In the recent episode, Underwood, known for his role in The Bachelor, confronted Rinna as he sought to identify a traitor in the game. Underwood admitted he was unfamiliar with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, stating that the Rinna he perceived was not the one competing on The Traitors, which prompted him to threaten to "come after her" in the game.
Rinna participated in the online discussion surrounding the show, making playful remarks about Underwood and referencing past allegations that led to a restraining order filed against him by fellow Bachelor contestant Cassie Randolph. This response, however, drew significant criticism and intensified backlash against Underwood, prompting Rinna to clarify her stance.
“It’s come to my attention that my post that I responded to in my housewife mode is taking on a life of its own, and it’s causing real problems for Colton,” Rinna expressed in an Instagram Stories post. “I do not want this, because Colton and I are great. He was a great and is a great nemesis for me on the show in the game. Now, as you know, if you asked me to be a housewife, I’ll bring it to you, right? That’s what I was doing, all in the name of the game.”
Rinna emphasized her positive relationship with Underwood, noting they have been in touch via text. “The fact that the backlash is happening, I feel horrible about because I don’t want to hurt anybody,” she added. “I am here to play the game and have fun. And Colton is a great nemesis for me. We had so much fun. I’ve only always had a great time with him.”
In her plea for viewers to be considerate, Rinna continued, “So please, guys, be gentle. It’s a game. It’s a TV show. We’re all doing the best we can. Don’t send death threats or do anything to jeopardize somebody’s family. We had so much fun doing it. It was really hard.”
Rinna concluded her message with a reminder, saying, “So everyone take a deep breath and just know that everything is great. It’s a game. It is a game. Try to watch it like a sporting event, you know, like if you’re watching football or wrestling, and just be gentle with everybody, because everyone’s doing the best they can.”
In response to the rising tensions, Peacock issued a statement encouraging kindness among viewers discussing the show online. “We are committed to making our cast feel safe, respected, and supported — on screen and off,” the statement read.
The network further emphasized that “the cast of The Traitors are real people, and what happens in the game should never lead to cyberbullying or harassment. There’s a difference between discussing a show and targeting individuals. Let’s not ruin the passion for this show with unwarranted negativity and personal attacks. We appreciate your support.”
