Peacock’s The Traitors is back and more intense than ever before. The second season of this star-studded competition series, is taking all of your favorite reality stars and putting them in a remote castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, for a game of mystery, lies, and deceit.
This season features an exciting cast including RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, GLAAD Board Member, and trans activist Peppermint. Peppermint and Survivor winners and rivals Parvati Shallow and Sandra Diaz-Twine joined GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos to talk about their experience on the show.
Peppermint shares that being on The Traitors “felt like a big opportunity.” She explains that, “I know that so many people in America say that they have never personally met someone who’s trans. So, I knew that this was a great opportunity to show us doing the same things that everybody else gets to do as all of their favorite reality celebrities.”
She goes on to say, “That was really the primary focus for me. Given how many attacks there are against the trans and also the LGBTQ community at large legislatively. I really wanted the opportunity to show people who are fans of this new show that we deserve a seat at the table.”
Parvati Shallow, who recently came out as queer when hard launching her relationship with comedian and actor Mae Martin, spoke about her connection with Peppermint and how she was “super grateful to have her there.”
View this post on Instagram
Shallow shares that “I love Drag Race. So, I was really excited about Peppermint being there.” She also spoke about how Peppermint actually created a peace treaty between her and her Survivor frenemy Sandra. “Peppermint brought Sandra and I together very early on which was a much needed thing to happen.”
Peppermint says “it feels good” to know her co-stars had such kind things to say about her, as she was the first person eliminated. “The image that I have of these people when I left that castle is very different than what you just described,” she reveals.
Peppermint also reveals that she has a lot of respect for her competitor. “Parvati is someone who we’ve gotten to know and love and see evolve and change and grow as a human being and as a competitor over the years. So, when she reveals something about herself that brings her closer to the LGBTQ+ community, people can see, ‘Wow, this is someone who we already love, who is revealing something so beautiful about their partner and themselves and who they love.’ And I think it’s just a really great moment to celebrate. I’m really happy for you, Parvati.”
As disappointing as it was to be sent home so early in the show, Peppermint still hopes her time on the show brings about change for those who watched. “My hope is that they will be inspired enough to really connect with the LGBTQ people in their lives.”
“Allyship is something that our community could definitely use in a time when we’re being attacked by so many different ways, legislative socially, even in the media.”
Catch new episodes of The Traitors on Peacock on Thursdays at 9pm ET on Peacock.