Celebrity Traitors star Myha'la has spoken about 'unconscious racial bias' on the BBC show after becoming the second contestant to be banished. The Industry actress was voted out by her fellow players as a suspected Traitor, but revealed herself to be a Faithful as she left the castle.
Despite her short time in the castle, she formed close bonds, most notably with banished Traitor Richard E. Grant. He played a part in her exit when she winked at him before voting at the roundtable, raising suspicions among the group.
Instagram response and fan comments
After leaving the show, Myha'la took to Instagram to mark her time on the series, leading with the moment of her ill-fated wink alongside a series of memes. In one comment exchange, entrepreneur Chantel Sachanna wrote: 'Unfortunately you were banished because you are BLACK. This is a consistent thread in this racist show.'
The 30-year-old replied that she had 'sealed her own fate', adding: 'And that early in the game there is VERY little to grasp on to, and I gave them…a lot, there is VERY little to grasp on to.' While excusing her own banishment, she acknowledged that Chantel raised a valid point, one that has been raised by many viewers who have noticed a pattern of people of colour being voted out early across seasons.
Agreement on bias in the game
According to Deadline, she continued: '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 added: 'I had this fear coming into the game, as I am a BIG fan and also clocked right away how prevalent this is in this game. And I came in knowing I'd be the only American (apart from Honorary British National Treasure Jerry Hall).'
She doubled down that it is not something she personally feels she experienced, saying: '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.' She encouraged more conversation around 'unconscious bias' and acknowledged that when 'under pressure' people tend to 'gravitate' towards what they know and away from what they don't.
Support and next steps
'It's all love, and I REALLY genuinely appreciate your support,' she concluded. Myha'la is the second person of colour to exit the series so far, with broadcaster Amol Rajan being murdered by the Traitors early on. Metro has reached out to the BBC for comment.
Celebrity Traitors airs at 8pm every Thursday and Friday night on BBC One.
