The Faithful Triumph in The Traitors Season Finale
In a surprising turn of events, the remaining contestants of Peacock’s acclaimed show The Traitors emerged victorious after a season marked by intense betrayals and fierce competition.
Climactic End Awaits Viewers
As the final episode unfolded, anticipation ran high among the audience, particularly around whether Britney Haynes would betray her fellow ex-Big Brother contestant Danielle Reyes. In a dramatic move, Haynes did cast her vote against Reyes, ultimately leading to her own banishment during the concluding roundtable. This pivotal moment set the stage for the remaining players: influencer Dylan Efron, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania, former Bachelorette Gabby Windey, and British aristocrat Lord Ivar Mountbatten. In an unexpected twist, the group chose to end the game, unveiling their alignment as Faithfuls, which culminated in their collective victory.
Reflections from the Winners
In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Lord Mountbatten expressed his disbelief, saying, “It’s a little surreal for all of us. We shot this in June, so it’s been quite a long time trying to keep this secret.”The diverse backgrounds of the victorious players made for an intriguing finale, notably absent of the typical “gamers” from competitive realities like Survivor and The Challenge. Catania humorously remarked, “It was The Breakfast Club of winners.”
Catania’s Redemption
Dolores Catania’s win represents a significant breakthrough, particularly for contestants from the Real Housewives franchise, who often face a perceived bias in these competitions. Reflecting on this, she noted, “It’s not an idea, it’s a truth. I feel like I’ve vindicated my friends by winning after everybody went after them, and it’s just a great feeling. I can’t explain it. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”
Diverse Strategies Converge
Prior to entering the game, the four winners had distinct strategies. Gabby Windey candidly admitted to not preparing, stating, “Not at all. I try and just go in and have my own experience, but of course I want to win. Second place is the first loser.” In contrast, Catania viewed the series as a learning experience, consuming content related to the show on her way to Scotland. Mountbatten even received advice from his daughter to utilize ChatGPT for strategizing. Efron was more proactive, sharing, “I researched before. I knew I had a good shot.”
Dreams of Future Investments
As the finale neared its conclusion, host Alan Cumming engaged the winners about the significance of their prize money. Windey, with a playful nod to viewers, shared her intention to use the earnings to fund her wedding to girlfriend, writer and comedian Robby Hoffman; their nuptials were celebrated just before the finale aired.
Windey humorously revealed, “I still have $49,300 left. Our wedding package was $700. It was the most deluxe. It came with a limo and photos, but we haven’t seen a dime, let’s be honest.” Her remark evoked laughter from her fellow winners as they navigated the complexities of taxes related to their winnings.
Post-Victory Plans
“I want it pre-taxes,”Windey mused about the financial implications, to which Catania reminded her, “We have to pay both taxes.”Meanwhile, Efron shared his recent splurge on a new apartment following his victory. Lord Mountbatten reflected on treating his daughter, a paramedic, to enjoyable experiences, saying, “I was just in Whistler with my daughter. I’m treating her to a lot more fun things.”
For more details on the finale and the journey of these winners, visit The Hollywood Reporter.