Arie Luyendyk Jr. recently shared insights about his experience on the reality show, The Traitors, shedding light on various aspects of the production.
During a fan Q&A session on Instagram, Luyendyk disclosed details about the cast's salaries, revealing that some members earned as little as $1,000 for their participation in the show. He mentioned that the rumored pay for the second season cast was significantly higher.
The first season of The Traitors, which aired on Peacock in January 2023, featured a mix of reality stars and civilians competing for a $250,000 prize. The second season, which premiered in January, focused solely on reality stars and reportedly garnered a 75% increase in viewership compared to the first season.
Luyendyk also shared behind-the-scenes tidbits, such as the cast staying in a hotel instead of a castle and enduring long filming days lasting up to 20 hours over a four-week period. He revealed that the production faced challenges due to COVID-19, leading to the reshooting of the entire first episode.
Despite not delving into specifics about his fellow castmates, Luyendyk praised the show's host, Alan Cumming, describing him as a fun and enjoyable presence on set.
Reflecting on his role as one of the traitors on the show, Luyendyk expressed disappointment over the outcome, particularly his interactions with season 1 winner Cirie Fields. He felt that Fields' victory was achieved in a manner he deemed questionable, leading to strained relations between them.
In the inaugural episode of season 1, Fields, along with Cody Califiore and Christian de la Torre, were labeled as traitors. Following Califiore's elimination, Luyendyk joined the traitors, ultimately reaching the season finale alongside Fields and two faithful contestants.
During the finale, Fields had the opportunity to share the prize money with the traitors but opted to eliminate another cast member, implicating Luyendyk as a traitor. This decision prompted Luyendyk to self-eliminate, allowing Fields to claim the entire prize.
Luyendyk expressed regret over the outcome, stating that he would have preferred to win with a clear conscience. He hinted at unseen footage that was left out during the final stages of the game.
