Phaedra Parks knows a thing or two about reading people, and she says that skill made her perfectly suited for The Traitors.
The attorney, funeral director and reality TV icon recently reflected on her time on the hit Peacock competition series, opening up about what it takes to be a compelling traitor, what she might have done differently and which contestants she’s cheering on now. Among them: RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Monét X Change.
For Parks, the psychological nature of The Traitors is what sets it apart from other reality competitions. Unlike shows that rely purely on physical challenges or alliances formed out of convenience, The Traitors requires a deep understanding of human behavior.
“I think I was the perfect traitor because I understand people,” Parks said. “As an attorney, that’s what I do for a living. But as a funeral director, I really understand people at their best and at their worst.”
That unique combination of professions, she explained, gave her an edge in navigating the emotional complexity of the game. The Traitors is as much about perception as it is deception, and Parks believes success hinges on the ability to genuinely connect with others, even while plotting their downfall.
“It’s like a psychological game,” she said. “You’ve got to be able to really engage with people in a certain way. If you can’t understand where they’re coming from, you’re going to be found out.”
When asked whether she thinks the traitors will ultimately win this season, Parks was cautiously optimistic, though not without her signature shade. With two housewives in the mix, she said the odds are intriguing, if unpredictable.
“Not all housewives are created equally,” Parks noted. “They’ve got an interesting bunch. But now with the secret traitor, who knows?”
While she remains loyal to her fellow housewives, Parks admitted she has her eye on a few unexpected standouts — particularly Monét X Change. The drag icon, she said, may be playing a smarter game than viewers realize.
“I think Monét from RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming in under the radar,” Parks said. “They might underestimate Monét, and that might be how she gets them.”
For LGBTQ audiences, Monét’s presence on The Traitors has been a major highlight, and Parks’ support only adds to the excitement. Underestimating a drag queen, after all, has never ended well in reality TV.
Looking back on her own gameplay, Parks said she has few regrets, though she did acknowledge one critical misstep: trusting fellow contestant Dan.
“I shouldn’t have trusted Dan,” she said bluntly, dubbing him “dirty dead Dan.” “If I hadn’t been such a good, loyal friend to him, maybe I would have realized how sneaky he was.”
Despite the betrayal, Parks’ time on the show was packed with memorable moments, including several quotable lines that quickly took on a life of their own online. One in particular caught her off guard.
“I never thought people would pick up on ‘Lord, not Ekin-Su. Sweet baby Jesus,’” she said. “I was just so hurt by them killing my baby Ekin-Su. It took me completely by surprise.”
If nothing else, Parks’ legacy on The Traitors is sealed: sharp instincts, unforgettable confessionals and an unwavering ability to steal the spotlight, whether as a traitor or a fan favorite rooting for a drag queen to take it all.
