How Traitors’ Rob Rausch Is Apologizing to Maura Higgins

by

Rob Rausch is trying to slither his way back into Maura Higgins‘ good graces.

I was honestly shocked when Rob played everyone on The Traitors to win, especially after being friends with so many of the Love Island cast! But he’s said he feels bad and plans to make it up to one of his closest friends by getting them a really nice, expensive gift with some of the $220,800 he won. It’s a good gesture, and I’m glad he’s trying to make amends!

Rob said he’s planning to save the money for later, but he also wants to buy his wife, Maura, a Birkin bag, he told Andy Cohen at the reunion.

The snake handler mentioned his gift plan to Candiace Dillard Bassett, who then revealed, “I was thinking we could all chip in to get Maura a Birkin bag.”

Costar Lisa Rinna noted he’ll be spending a minimum of $10,000 on the designer purse.

After leading Maura on all season and getting her to eliminate her ally Tara Lipinski, and then betraying his fellow Traitor Eric Nam, it was the very least he could do. This left Rob and Maura as the final two, with him ultimately winning in the February 26th finale.

Rob shrugged off his successful strategy, saying he just got lucky. Candiace disagreed, playfully calling him a ‘humble Traitor’ and suggesting it was a mix of skill and good fortune. She also hinted that the other ‘Faithful’ players might need to improve their game.

Eric admitted Rob’s last betrayal deeply affected him, taking “a few days” to get over it. He jokingly, but seriously, told everyone at their reunion that the experience had made him lose all trust in people.

Maura similarly shared her heartbreak during the Feb. 26 finale after learning she’d been played. 

Oh my gosh, she actually said that to Rob! I was totally believing everything he was saying, I really was, and then she just dropped that bomb on him! It was brutal! She basically told him he’s a fantastic liar and will never get a girlfriend after this. I can’t believe she said that, but honestly? Part of me is a little impressed with his skills…and horrified for him. I feel so bad for believing him, but also…wow. What a line!

Despite everything, the Love Island USA star said she wasn’t upset, explaining, “I’m just really surprised. I honestly believed I was going to win.”

While speaking in confession, Maura became emotional and admitted, “I feel so foolish. This is exactly why I have trouble trusting people – they end up hurting me.”

Maura went on, “He’s awful, but I have to admit, good for him. Oh my gosh, Rob, you are truly sneaky, but I’m impressed.”

Step into the turret with these behind-the-scenes secrets about The Traitors.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been totally hooked on The Traitors! It’s all about strategy and figuring out who’s playing whom, but honestly, the show randomly assigns you as either a Traitor or Faithful – you don’t get a choice. However, things changed a bit in season two. We saw players like Phaedra Parks and Kate Chastain actually get a chance to talk directly to Alan Cumming and try to convince him – and the audience – of their loyalty. It added a whole new layer of drama!

Okay, so I was reading an interview with Mike Cotton, one of the producers, and he basically revealed so much about how they pick the Traitor! He told Variety that Alan’s opinion is huge, seriously huge! It’s not just random, it’s like a whole audition process to be the Traitor. They really think about everyone and decide right before the selection who would cause the most drama. They’re looking for a good mix of personalities and people who’ll bring something different to the game – it’s all about making it interesting, you guys! I’m obsessed with how much thought goes into it!

The players didn’t initially know how many Traitors were among them. Cirie Fields, a winner on Survivor, explained to TopMob News in 2023 that they were told at the start of the game there could be anywhere from three to five Traitors.

Players were also asked to take the Traitor’s oath, which involved promising to lie and deceive others throughout the game, being willing to eliminate other players each night, and keeping both their own and other players’ identities secret.

To get a sense of who might be good at deceiving others, the show uses a personality test to assess the contestants. As Cotton Variety explains, this helps identify traits associated with lying and deception. However, the producers don’t actually know who the ‘Traitors’ are until the very moment Alan Carr secretly selects them.

Alan Cumming was thrilled to take on the over-the-top role and even bring his dog to work. He told The Daily Beast in 2023 that when he first heard the pitch, he envisioned playing a character similar to a James Bond villain, and jokingly suggested bringing his dog as a prop. The producers loved the idea, and that convinced him to accept the part.

With his rescue dog, Lala, by his side, he fully embraced his on-screen role, playfully quoting lines from the works of William Shakespeare and Plato. He described his performance style as intense and improvisational. “I was often making things up as I went,” he explained. “Sometimes, they’d feed me lines through an earpiece, so it felt a lot like doing stand-up comedy – you’re just thinking on your feet.”

While the actors filmed at the beautiful Ardross Castle in Scotland, they didn’t get to live there during production.

Cumming told The Daily Beast that the cast and crew didn’t actually stay at the castle. Instead, they stayed at a hotel near the Inverness airport. He personally had a room in the castle, which he used to get ready, though he didn’t sleep there overnight. He mentioned the room had a large bed and he would often take naps there.

The show nearly involved a much more dangerous challenge. According to creator Marc Pos, he initially planned to film on a ship off the coast of Australia, where eliminated contestants would have to swim to an island. However, he decided it would be too complicated and expensive to actually film.

Contestants weren’t allowed access to the entire castle. According to Cotton, who spoke with Variety, they’re using only a section – a single wing – for the game. Players have access to this wing and all the outdoor areas, allowing them to move around freely.

He pointed out that with room for around thirty bedrooms, complete privacy would be difficult. While people could spread out and talk separately, the space was still compact enough that conversations could be overheard or someone could be seen slipping away for a private discussion.

It makes sense that car rides were perfect for plotting in Big Brother, according to alum Rachel Reilly. She told Reality Blurred that being in a car offered privacy – “You’re separated, and nobody can hear what you’re saying,” – which was hard to find in the house where she had to “whisper” everything.

Players weren’t allowed to discuss strategy at the hotel. According to Dan Gheesling, a contestant from season two, this was because anything said off-camera couldn’t be used in the show if it revealed important information. He told Business Insider that all game talk was reserved for when the microphones and cameras were rolling.

Chrishell Stause, from season three of the show, also shared that they weren’t provided with a hair and makeup team. She told Us Weekly that she “would’ve died to have glam in the castle,” but Alan, the producer, didn’t permit it.

Getting the ‘Faithful’ to bed in separate rooms each night and then letting the ‘Traitors’ out for their meetings is like a huge military operation,” Cotton explained to Variety.

Even though Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan were a couple during season two of the show, they weren’t permitted to share a room. According to executive producer Sam Rees-Jones, producers felt it would have given them an unfair advantage over the other contestants.

Despite the rules, Reza Farahan from Shahs of Sunset tried to add some playful mischief. He told Digital Spy that he attempted to slip notes under contestants’ doors while he was supposed to be confined to his room. The notes jokingly accused them of past misdeeds, signed “The Traitors.”

The production schedule is demanding, with the team aiming to film one episode each day. According to producer Rees-Jones, this fast pace helps maintain focus and a strong sense of immersion for the cast. While it’s a lot of pressure, they believe it’s the best way to create the show. A typical day involves breakfast, a planning meeting, a mission, and a murder mystery, then they start the process all over again. Stause mentioned that some nights they didn’t return to their rooms until 2 a.m.

According to Cotton, who spoke with Variety, breakfast on set is carefully scheduled with actors arriving at different times. However, the meals themselves don’t last very long – usually no more than an hour.

I’ve always been fascinated by how Love Island manages to keep everything running smoothly, and I think it’s because they really focus on keeping the contestants on their toes. Ekin-Su Culculoglu, who won a season and really understands the show, actually told Entertainment Weekly in 2024 that they were surprisingly limited to just one drink per night. It really shows how much control the producers have, and it makes sense why things can get so intense!

Even though it’s often difficult to find genuine support from other players, everyone competing is assigned a dedicated welfare team member. According to Mercedes Javid, a popular contestant from season two, these team members are constantly checking in on the players. She described them as cheerful and professional, adding that she always felt well cared for.

When it comes to building relationships on the show, contestants don’t find out who their competition will be until they arrive in Scotland. Casting director Deena Katz told Time that this is intentional – they don’t want anyone to research each other or form alliances beforehand. However, once the competition begins, players are given information about each other and a journal to keep notes.

Cumming jokingly identifies as a “Traitor,” referencing the social deduction game he enjoys. In a 2023 interview with The Daily Beast, he explained the game often involves players falsely accusing each other, saying someone might be labeled a “Traitor” for trivial reasons – like a simple pat on the shoulder. He finds humor in the arbitrary nature of these accusations.

Read More

2026-02-27 07:48