Celebrity Traitors’ Myha’la slams ‘unconscious bias’ claims after exit
Myha’la on Celebrity Traitors (BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Myha’la has responded after a fan claimed she was banished from The Celebrity Traitors due to her race, insisting: “I sealed my own fate!”
On Instagram, one commenter told the 30-year-old: “You, my love, were banished because you are black.” Queer Industry star Myha’la replied that she understood why they felt that way, but said her own actions in the game gave the other players plenty to latch on to.
“I sealed my own fate! And that early in the game there is VERY little to grasp on to, and I gave them… a lot,” she wrote.
She also defended her fellow contestants, adding: “I’m not saying it’s right, I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist, but I do have to defend my dear friends on this show who in no way consciously put bias on me because of my race.”
Why was Myha’la banished from The Celebrity Traitors?
Myha’la was banished in episode three after suspicion built around her at the round table. A key moment came when she winked at Richard E Grant before voting for him, which led other players to believe she might be a Traitor too.
Grant was banished before Myha’la, after he admitted to being a Traitor. Myha’la was later revealed to be a Faithful, but not until she too was banished.
Myha’la says unconscious bias can shape suspicion
Myha’la pushed back on the idea her banishment could be reduced to racism alone, but said bias can still shape how people read each other in a game built on gut feelings.
“I do agree that unconscious racial and cultural bias exists in this game where my authenticity or honesty or the ways in which I choose to express myself look suspicious to people who are unfamiliar with people like me,” she wrote.
In another reply, she told a fan: “I totally agree! It is exhausting, and we have every right to be tired of it. Sending love to you.”
The discussion has also been fuelled by comparisons with the non-celebrity series, where the first five Faithfuls eliminated in series four earlier this year were all minority ethnic players.
The Celebrity Traitors continues on Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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