Michael Rapaport remained focused on himself and his 'The Traitors' gameplay amid backlash from fans and fellow contestants. Read to know what he said.
American actor and comedian, Michael Rapaport is currently making waves online for two significant reasons. In January 2026, reports of his entry into New York City politics and his participation in the popular reality television show, The Traitors generated immense buzz. The 55-year-old is currently a contestant on Season 4 of The Traitors, with its first three episodes already premiered on Peacock. Following that, many fans have alleged that the rest of the cast seemed to dislike Michael Rapaport. He recently responded to the same, posting his first comment on the speculations.
Michael Rapaport's appearance on Season 4 of The Traitors US, which premiered on January 8, 2026, has sparked significant backlash from both fans and fellow contestants. The criticism stems from his gameplay, recent social media interactions, and long-standing controversies. Critics and viewers labelled Michael as one of the "worst players" in the show's history due to his alleged disruptive behaviour in the Scottish castle. The actor has also been criticised for derailing discussions, including singing If You're Happy and You Know It at the roundtable to taunt potential Traitors.
Contestants of The Traitors, such as Rob Cesternino, noted that Michael Rapaport was a "big problem" for the Faithful, acting as a distraction that allowed the actual Traitors to hide more easily. Besides slamming Michael's alleged poor gameplay, the contestants also expressed their frustration regarding his feuds on the show. Michael Rapaport has engaged in intense verbal altercations with other cast members, most notably Yam Yam Arocho and Porsha Williams.
Actor, Michael Rapaport responded to social media criticism following the premiere of The Traitors US Season 4. The exchange began when a fan on TikTok claimed that "the entire cast" of the show "can't STAND" Michael and expressed relief that more viewers were seeing how "annoying" he allegedly is. Michael Rapaport countered the claim by commenting directly on the video: "GIRL, you'll be ok Girl," a response that some viewers perceived as a failed attempt to be "shady". Many fans have called for his removal or threatened to boycott the season due to his past controversies, particularly his statements on social media.
Michael shared his admiration for The Traitors, saying he and his wife used to watch the premiere together while eating good food. It was like a cosy indoor date for the couple. Now that he himself was participating in the show, he would miss watching it with his better half. Mentioning not knowing what to do, Michael stated:
"I'm pumped to watch it. I'm such a fan of the show. Usually, my wife and I sit down in front of the TV for the premiere. We watch it with some pasta and then some ice cream. I don't know what we're going to do now that I'm on it."
Michael Rapaport didn't seem to care about the ongoing chatter surrounding his past controversies or his appearance in The Traitors season 4. He instead took to Instagram to ask his fans for their opinions on the show and on the Traitors and the Faithfuls. He also wanted to know their views on the contestants' outfits and whether they liked him on the show. Showcasing his ignorance towards the backlash and focusing on the positives, Michael mentioned:
"Traitor Nation...I never thought I'd be saying those words. What is up Traitor Nation? How are you guys feeling? Are you enjoying it so far? What do you think of the Traitors? What do you think of the Faithfuls? What do you think of the outfits? What do you think of me?"
What are your thoughts on Michael Rapaport being focused on himself and his gameplay amid backlash? Let us know.
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