Former Celebrity Traitors star Myha’la has jumped to the defence of her co-stars amid claims that unconscious bias was partly responsible for the group choosing to banish her.
The Industry star is one of 21 famous faces who took part in the current season of The Celebrity Traitors, eventually becoming the second contestant to be banished, when the majority of her castmates voted her out.
When Myha’la reflected on her short time in the castle on Instagram over the weekend, one critic suggested to the American actor: “Unfortunately you were banished because you are BLACK. This is a consistent thread in this racist show.
“You were the first one to be strategically banished. We cannot count Richard [E Grant] because he outed himself and the cast had no other choice but to banish him. You, my love, were banished because you are Black. And I’m so sorry.”
BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
Unconscious bias on reality shows like The Traitors has been discussed numerous times, with Myha’la acknowledging that while she agrees this is an ongoing and prevalent issue, she believes she was responsible for her own demise.
“I understand why you feel this way, and I may have agreed with you had I not winked at Richard effectively aligning myself with a known Traitor, found and concealed then seemingly reluctantly revealed I had a shield, or (what you really don’t see much of) expressed my thoughts and feelings openly to literally everyone (which many people who get out early in this game do),” Myha’la wrote.
She insisted: “I sealed my own fate! And that early in the game there is VERY little to grasp on to, and I gave them… a lot.
“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.”
BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
The Black Mirror actor 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. And I came in knowing I’d be the only American (apart from Honorary British National Treasure Jerry Hall).
“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.
“And! I do think games like this should allow more conversation around unconscious bias and how, when under pressure, people (society) gravitate towards things they know and understand or subsequently push away from things they don’t. It’s all love, and I REALLY genuinely appreciate your support.”
Which members of The Celebrity Traitors 2026 cast are left in the game?
Two weeks into the current season of The Celebrity Traitors, there are 16 celebrities left in the game. They are:
- Professor Hannah Fry
- James Acaster
- James Blunt
- Jerry Hall
- Joanne McNally
- Joe Lycett
- Kenny Oghenovo “King Kenny” Ojuederie
- Leigh-Anne Pinnock
- Maya Jama
- Michael Sheen
- Miranda Hart
- Rob Beckett
- Romesh Ranganathan
- Ross Kemp
- Sebastian Croft
- Sharon Rooney
Which members of The Celebrity Traitors 2026 cast have been banished and murdered?
In addition to Myha’la, fellow actors Richard E Grant and Julie Hesmondhalgh make up the three stars who have so far been banished.
An additional two famous contestants – Amol Rajan and Bella Ramsey – have been murdered by the Traitors.
The Celebrity Traitors will continue on Thursday night at 8pm on BBC One.
