Season 4 of The Traitors is back with more drama, deception—and a glaring omission. Not a single transgender contestant made it onto this season’s cast, and Peppermint, the ever-iconic performer and season 2 alum, isn’t here for it. In a statement dropped like a glitter bomb, she praised the presence of queer stars like Monét X Change and Kristen Kish but called out the ongoing erasure of trans voices.
“I was hopeful to see more inclusion with the new cast,” she said. “But after the current administration’s threats to punish those who include trans people in their industries, I knew many would fall in line.” Her words aren’t just shaded tea—they’re a reality check for a show that likes to play bold but clearly isn’t being brave where it counts.
Where’s the T?
This marks the second season in a row where The Traitors—a show that thrives on diversity, deception, and castle-core chaos—has failed to include even one trans person in its U.S. cast. Sure, we’ve got Yam Yam, Johnny Weir, and Colton Underwood making the LGBTQ+ flag look fabulous, but you can’t spell inclusion without the T. Literally.
Peppermint co-wrote an open letter earlier this year with Frankie Grande, urging reality producers to do better. That wasn’t just a PR stunt—it was a heartfelt plea for visibility and depth. “Trans people are more than just one-dimensional characters,” she reminded the industry, pushing for trans contestants to be seen not as tokens but as full human beings with strategy, style, and stories to tell.
Alan Cumming’s Silent Scream
Alan Cumming, the show’s Emmy-winning host and resident Scottish snack, has been vocal about his support for the trans community. Wearing a trans flag pin at the Emmys and calling out political scapegoating in interviews, Cumming has the receipts. “It’s never about toilets,” he said. “It’s about using a vulnerable group to distract from real issues.” And yet, here we are—another season, another snub.
You’d think that a host this engaged might nudge producers to cast a wider net. But maybe even he can’t overcome the quiet cowardice of network caution. It’s clear the industry is still tiptoeing around trans inclusion when it should be kicking open doors.
Why It Matters
Representation isn’t just optics—it’s survival. In a political climate where trans rights are under siege, mainstream platforms like The Traitors have a chance to be cultural lifelines. Instead, they’re reinforcing the narrative that trans people just don’t fit the mold of palatable reality TV. That’s not just lazy—it’s dangerous.
By sidelining trans contestants, reality TV risks reinforcing a hierarchy of who gets to be “authentically” queer on-screen. And if someone as beloved, polished, and charismatic as Peppermint can’t spark change with grace and grit, what does that say about the system?
“The Traitors is one of my favorite television shows,” Peppermint added in her statement. “I’ve called upon producers and casting directors to be more inclusive, hoping someone would be brave.” The question now is: who in Hollywood has the guts to finally answer her call?
The Traitors Season 4 premieres soon on Peacock. Trans inclusion? We’re still waiting.