By Basant El-Faramawy
Leigh-Anne Pinnock has defended her Celebrity Traitors co-star Myha'la against racist online abuse after the actor spoke about unconscious bias on the BBC reality show.
Finale fallout and interview
Following the series finale last week, which saw Faithfuls Sebastian Croft and Romesh Ranganathan triumph, contestants are now free to discuss events at Andross Castle. In a new interview with Glamour magazine, Pinnock, who reached the semi-finals alongside Maya Jama and Ranganathan, addressed remarks made by Myha'la after her elimination on 8 October.
Myha'la's response to bias allegations
After her exit, Myha'la replied to an online commenter who referenced a history of unconscious bias on The Traitors, where ethnic minority players are often deemed more suspicious, and told her she was banished because she is Black. The 30-year-old Industry star defended her fellow contestants, stating she might have agreed had she not "sealed her own fate" by winking at Richard Grant, appearing reluctant to give up her shield, and sharing her theories widely. She said she was not denying racism exists but felt the assessment of her case was incomplete.
Pinnock calls for trolls to stop
Asked about her co-star's remarks, Pinnock said Myha'la had worded her response beautifully and urged people to leave her alone, noting she had received racist remarks. Myha'la later added that games like The Traitors should allow more conversation about unconscious bias and how people under pressure gravitate toward the familiar. She also agreed with a fan who said it was exhausting watching suspicion cast toward Black players on such shows.
Wider pattern on reality television
The discussion around unconscious bias has followed The Traitors since its 2022 launch and intensified earlier this year when the first three contestants eliminated on the fourth civilian series were all from ethnic minorities. A Guardian report also found that non-white dancers on Strictly Come Dancing were 71 per cent more likely to face the bottom two vote.
