'The Traitors' issues statement against "cyberbullying" of cast
Washington DC, January 26
Peacock's reality competition series 'The Traitors' has issued a statement urging viewers to refrain from cyberbullying and harassment of its cast members as the fourth season of the show continues to air, according to E! News.
In a message shared on the show's official X handle, the makers said they are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for participants both on and off screen. The statement stressed that the contestants are real people and should not be subjected to personal attacks over events that unfold as part of the game.
"We are committed to making our casts feel safe, respected, and supported--on screen and off," the statement read. "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," the statement continued. "We appreciate your support," according to E! News.
The statement comes amid online discourse surrounding season four cast member and comedian Ron Funches. Earlier this week, Funches shared that reactions and commentary from viewers prompted him to seek a professional evaluation, leading to the discovery that he is on the autism spectrum.
"Well the internet told me I was autistic and was right," Funches wrote on Instagram Stories on January 22, adding that the experience was emotionally difficult. He later acknowledged that participating in the show ultimately helped him gain a deeper understanding of himself.
In earlier posts, Funches explained that he had previously considered himself only an ally and parent to an autistic child, noting that his son Malcolm, 21, is also autistic. Observing his own behaviour and how he was perceived during the show encouraged him to pursue a formal diagnosis, according to E! News.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is so important. The online mob mentality can be terrifying. Discuss the game strategy, fine. But attacking someone's character or making personal diagnoses? That's crossing a line. Hope people listen.
Respect to Ron Funches for his honesty. It takes courage to share such a personal journey publicly. The silver lining is that the show helped him understand himself better, but the path to get there shouldn't involve bullying.
While the statement is a good step, it feels a bit late. The damage is already done for Ron. Shows like this thrive on drama and strong reactions—shouldn't they have better support systems in place *before* casting and airing?
This hits close to home. We see similar toxicity in Indian reality shows and social media comments. "Log kya kahenge?" can be brutal. We need to learn to separate the character from the person. More power to him! 🙏
The internet diagnosing people is a dangerous trend. Glad he got a proper evaluation, but it should never have come from crowd-sourced, often cruel, commentary. Let's keep the discourse healthy, folks.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.