The high-stakes world of reality television strategy often hinges on a level playing field, but according to Kylie Kelce, the latest season of Peacock’s hit series The Traitors missed the mark when it came to her mother-in-law. Kylie, who has become a beloved figure in the Kelce family orbit since marrying former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce in 2018, recently voiced her frustrations regarding how Donna Kelce was utilized during her stint on the show’s fourth season. Speaking on the February 24 episode of the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, the Not Gonna Lie host didn’t hold back, arguing that the matriarch of the Kelce clan was essentially set up for failure by the show’s production team.
Donna Kelce, affectionately known to millions as "Mama Kelce," was cast as the "Secret Traitor" for the fourth installment of the murderous game set in the misty Highlands of Scotland. While the role was designed to add a layer of intrigue to the season, Kylie believes it ultimately isolated Donna and robbed her of the chance to truly compete. The core of Kylie’s grievance lies in the fact that Donna was forced to operate in the shadows alone, rather than being allowed to form a coalition with her fellow Traitors.
"I’m annoyed that she was a Secret Traitor," Kylie admitted during her podcast appearance, noting that the decision has bothered her more than she can easily articulate. "For some reason, her being a Secret Traitor has irked me to a degree I can’t explain." In the traditional format of the show, a small group of Traitors meets nightly in a secluded turret to plot the "murder" of their fellow contestants, known as the Faithful. This season, that group included reality stars Rob Rausch, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Lisa Rinna. Kylie argued that if Donna had been permitted to join that group from the start, she would have been a force to be reckoned with.
According to Kylie, Donna’s greatest weapon in the game—her disarmingly sweet and maternal public persona—was underutilized because she lacked the structural support of a team. "I wanted her to have her best chance to team up with people to really get a little sneaky with things," Kylie explained. She noted that because Donna is perceived as "too sweet" to be capable of backstabbing, the other contestants likely would have suspected "nothing" if she had been part of the primary Traitor unit. Instead, Donna was ousted in only the third episode, a result Kylie finds deeply unsatisfying. "She needed teammates," Kylie added emphatically. "That was f–ked up."
Despite the early exit and the frustrations shared by her daughter-in-law, the entire Kelce family remained fiercely supportive of Donna’s foray into the world of psychological warfare. Both Jason and Travis Kelce were reportedly glued to their screens, watching their mother fulfill a long-held dream of participating in the game. During the season’s reunion episode, Donna shared with host Andy Cohen that her sons were impressed by her performance, even if they were a bit surprised by her hidden capacity for deception. "They thought that I gave it my best shot," Donna said, adding with a laugh that her sons told her, "You were probably more treacherous than we thought you could be."
The support for Donna extended beyond her immediate family. Travis Kelce’s fiancée, global superstar Taylor Swift, was also keeping a close eye on the treacherous happenings at Ardross Castle. Donna revealed that Swift and her family are dedicated fans of the franchise. "She’s a watcher. So is her family. Yeah, they love Traitors," Donna noted, highlighting the show’s broad appeal that stretches from sports icons to pop royalty.
The drama surrounding Donna’s role as the Secret Traitor is just one facet of the complex production that goes into creating The Traitors. As the show continues to grow in popularity, more behind-the-scenes details have emerged, painting a picture of a grueling and meticulously planned operation. For instance, while viewers might assume the contestants have some say in whether they become a Traitor or a Faithful, the decision is almost entirely out of their hands. Starting in the second season, high-profile stars like Phaedra Parks and Kate Chastain were allowed to "plead their case" to host Alan Cumming, but the final call remains a production choice.
Executive producer Mike Cotton has described the selection process as something akin to a high-stakes job interview. Producers and Alan Cumming evaluate each contestant’s personality, looking for an "interesting mix of characters" who bring unique skill sets to the table. To help make these determinations, contestants are required to take personality tests designed to identify traits associated with successful lying and deception. Even with all this preparation, the cast remains in the dark about the exact number of Traitors in their midst, though season one winner Cirie Fields noted that they are told the number could range anywhere from three to five.
Once the roles are assigned, the Traitors must swear a solemn oath to lie, deceive, and "murder" their fellow players nightly while keeping their identities a closely guarded secret. Host Alan Cumming, who has fully embraced a campy, "Bond villain" persona for the show, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the atmosphere. Cumming, who often films with his rescue dog Lala by his side, has admitted to "winging it" at times, leaning into a persona that involves quoting Shakespeare and Plato while receiving lines via an earpiece.
One of the most surprising revelations for fans is that the contestants do not actually live in the majestic Ardross Castle. While they spend their days scheming within its walls, they are shuttled to a nearby Inverness airport hotel each night. Cumming himself has a room in the castle for hair, makeup, and costume changes, but even he doesn’t stay overnight. The castle itself is so large that production only utilizes a specific wing for filming to ensure they can adequately capture all the secret conversations and clandestine meetings.
The logistical challenges of the show are immense. Producers describe the nightly routine as a "massive military operation." To prevent any off-camera collusion, the Faithful are sent to bed in individual rooms at staggered intervals, while the Traitors are secretly extracted for their nightly meetings. This strict separation means that even real-life couples, like season two’s Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan, are not allowed to share a room, as it would provide an unfair strategic advantage.
The pressure of the game is further intensified by a demanding filming schedule. Production typically aims to film one entire episode per day to keep the contestants in an "immersive bubble." This results in long hours, with some players reporting that they don’t return to their hotel rooms until 2:00 AM. To keep their minds sharp for the psychological demands of the game, alcohol consumption is strictly limited to one drink per night.
Despite the intensity and the isolation, the show does prioritize the well-being of its cast. Each player is assigned a member of a dedicated welfare team who checks on them constantly. Season two standout Mercedes "MJ" Javid praised the professional and cheerful nature of the staff, noting that she felt "taken care of at all times" despite the paranoia inherent in the game.
For Donna Kelce, the experience was the fulfillment of a summer dream in Scotland, even if it ended sooner than her family would have liked. As the fourth season concludes, the debate over the "Secret Traitor" twist continues to linger among fans and family members alike. While Kylie Kelce may still be "irked" by the disadvantage she believes her mother-in-law faced, the legacy of Donna’s "treacherous" turn has only added to the Kelce family’s ever-growing list of cultural milestones. For now, fans can relive every backstab and breakfast reveal as the full season and reunion are currently streaming on Peacock.
