At a Glance
- Michael Rapaport claims his Round Table jab at Colton Underwood was about gameplay, not sexuality
- The remark-“nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you”-got him banished on the January 15 episode
- Rapaport told Entertainment Weekly he “felt gaslit” and regrets the fallout but insists it was misread
- Why it matters: The clash spotlights how reality-TV strategy can collide with cast members’ personal histories
Michael Rapaport is breaking his silence on the confrontation that led to his ouster from The Traitors, telling Entertainment Weekly the comment that sparked outrage was aimed at Colton Underwood’s gameplay-not his sexuality.
The Banishment
During the January 15 Round Table, Rapaport, 55, turned on Underwood, 33, and declared, “nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you.” Several castmates, including Underwood, interpreted the line as a swipe at the former Bachelor star’s 2021 decision to come out as gay. The backlash sealed Rapaport’s fate: votes piled up and the comedian was sent packing.
Underwood shot back on camera, “You think it was fun for 29 years of my life?”-a reference to the years he spent hiding his identity.
Rapaport’s Defense
Speaking to EW in an interview posted January 20, Rapaport insisted the phrasing was accidental gamesmanship.
“I thought that he was a Traitor, and I was riffing,” he said. “I was going at him because he was going at me, and I felt defensive.”
Key points from Rapaport’s explanation:
- He believed Underwood had been “conniving, cowardly and commiserating”
- Words like “lying, secrets, dishonest, deceitful, betrayal” are routine banter in The Traitors
- He would have “used it towards anybody” under the same circumstances
“I was dead set that he was a Traitor,” Rapaport added.
Fallout and Regret
Once the cast labeled the comment a personal attack, Rapaport says he “felt completely misunderstood” and “gaslit.” He believes the flare-up intensified only after fellow players Johnny, Kristen, Natalie, and Yam Yam jumped in.
“I regret that it went to that point,” he admitted.
Despite the on-screen clash, Rapaport says he and Underwood had bonded off-camera:
- They shared “the most intimate and personal conversations” before the blow-up
- Rapaport “liked” Underwood and insists the feud was strictly strategic
“I do regret that it hurt his feelings,” Rapaport said. “I wish I had used different words.”
Post-Production Resolution
Both men have moved on, according to the interview. Rapaport claims they spoke “as soon as I could after production” and describes the chat as “very good, grown-up” and filled with laughter. Underwood texted Rapaport again when the episode dropped January 18.
Underwood confirmed to EW he isn’t “holding a grudge” and acknowledged Rapaport’s apology.
New episodes of The Traitors stream Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Key Takeaways
- Rapaport maintains his Round Table comment was strategy, not a sexuality dig
- The misunderstanding led to his banishment and on-screen tension
- Both parties say they’ve reconciled off-camera
