Sam Asghari on ‘The Traitors:’ Why His Strategy Put a Target on His Back—And Why He Wouldn’t Do It Differently

Few reality competition shows demand as much psychological warfare, strategic deception, and social manipulation as The Traitors. Hosted by the ever-enigmatic Alan Cumming, the hit series gathers a cast of celebrities who must navigate a game of trust and betrayal within the walls of a secluded castle. Among them are a select few Traitors, secretly plotting to eliminate the Faithfuls before they’re exposed. With a grand prize at stake, the challenge isn’t just about survival—it’s about outplaying, outthinking, and outlasting the opposition.

Stepping into this high-stakes arena, Sam Asghari may not have had the reality TV experience of some of his competitors, but that didn’t stop him from making an impact. While others leaned on past gameplay tactics, he entered with a fresh perspective—playing smart, staying observant, and allowing the bigger personalities to turn on each other. But as the competition intensified, so did his strategy. Sam became more vocal, bringing facts to the table and forcing players to confront uncomfortable truths.

That shift, however, made him a target. The Traitors took notice, and his time in the game came to an end—but not without leaving his mark. Now, he looks back on his experience, breaking down his boldest moves, the moment he knew he was in danger, and why he has no regrets about the way he played.

PC: You’ve had several opportunities come your way, including Dancing with the Stars and Special Forces. I know timing plays a big role in your life, and in an alternate reality where you weren’t a model or an actor, you would have been a sheriff. Was that initially what drew you to The Traitors, and why was this the right time for you?
Sam: I had some time between acting gigs, and The Traitors looked like a lot of fun on TV. I loved the way it was shot and appreciated that it focused on gameplay rather than gossip. It felt like a great opportunity to put myself out there and step outside my comfort zone. I had a great experience, and the timing couldn’t have been better—it all worked out perfectly.

PC: You don’t come from a reality TV background, and you’ve never competed on a show like this, but you adapted so quickly. I think you brought the right approach to the game. How early on did you realize it was more strategic to lay low and let the bigger personalities take each other out? In what ways did not coming from this world help or hurt your game?
Sam: I don’t think much hurt my game, even when I started bringing a lot of facts toward the end—that was intentional. I planned for that. But really, I went in just wanting to have fun and not judge anyone based on their personalities, because I didn’t know them. They were brand new to me, so I could only judge them by their behaviors and what happened in the castle, not by what they said or did on Big Brother or The Housewives. That would have been pointless. It’s a completely different game. Even who you are in real life doesn’t necessarily matter here.

The people who last the longest are the ones being themselves. I can’t speak for the Traitors because they have to approach things differently—even with each other. But if you’re a Faithful, you have to be yourself, start strategizing, and find the right balance. You can’t play too hard too soon, or they might take you out.

PC: As the game progressed, you became more vocal. But that ultimately led to your downfall as the Traitors picked up on how strategic you were. Was there a specific moment that made you change your approach, or do you think you could have continued to lay low for a few more roundtables, given the suspicion on the other players?
Sam: I wouldn’t call it a downfall—let’s go with glow-up instead. That’s what happened. I blew up, they got jealous, and they wanted me out. If you speak up like Derrick [Levasseur] and bring the facts, the Traitors don’t want you around. Obviously, this past episode wasn’t the greatest…because I wasn’t in it. [laughs] Just kidding. But murdering me was too obvious for Carolyn [Wiger], and it ultimately set her up for banishment. They should have recruited someone else—that would have been the smarter move. But that’s how the game goes.

That said, I wouldn’t have wanted to make it to the end without contributing. I wanted to play the game, speak up, and go out with pride if it came to that. I never wanted to backstab anyone or do something out of character just to protect myself. I stand by how I played and wouldn’t change a thing.

PC: Speaking of contributing, one move you’ll be remembered for is the trap you set for the Traitors at breakfast in Episode 8—though it was ultimately ruined by Tom [Sandoval]. If he hadn’t interfered, do you think your trap would have worked? How would that have changed the game?
Sam: I think it would have worked, but I wouldn’t call it a trap. I actually said this in the house—I always found it weird that people were whispering throughout the game when they knew it would all come up at the roundtable anyway. I get that everyone is trying to see what sticks, but if we’re dealing with facts, why not bring them up at breakfast? That way, by the time we get to the roundtable, we already have some obvious answers. That was the right time to bring it up.

If the Traitors are murdering in plain sight, they have the upper hand, right? But have the Traitors seen Alan [Cumming]? Because when you see him, you always remember him—what he wears, how he presents himself. Those details stick with you. So I said, “Let’s ask every person who walks in, then we can see if something feels off.” When we asked Carolyn, she was struggling with her answer, and Tom [Sandoval] basically handed her the answers. He completely missed the assignment. I didn’t see him loading up on Omega-3s at breakfast. [laughs]

To keep up with Sam, follow him on Instagram. New episodes of The Traitors drop every Thursday at 9/8c on Peacock.

Photo Credit: Peacock

About the Pop Culturalist Contributor, Harrison
Harrison Xu is a Canadian storyteller, film marketing expert, and advocate for innovative storytelling. Whether crafting compelling narratives or shaping audience engagement strategies, he brings a keen eye for both creativity and impact.