Maya Jama could be exposed as a Traitor on Celebrity Traitors because of her "habit" at the Round Table, according to body language expert Sean Johns, as the show heads towards its finale next week. Johns says the Love Island host's lack of movement during the crucial discussions contrasts with her animated behaviour elsewhere in the castle, which could raise suspicion among her fellow contestants.
Expert highlights Maya's stillness as a 'tell'
In the most recent episode, Maya and fellow Traitors James Acaster and King Kenny were given a challenge to kill in plain sight by making one of the Faithful yawn. While many viewers have noted Maya's obvious fake yawning, Johns has pointed to a separate concern that could blow her cover.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star publisher Reach ahead of the next episode, he identified a "habit" of hers, saying: "Maya has a habit at the Round Table, and once a habit gets noticed it becomes a tell." He explained that when other people are talking, she stops moving, with her chin on her hand while Romesh Ranganathan talked about Rob Beckett, and her fingers clasped under her chin while Kenny turned on Hannah Fry.
Contrast with her usual behaviour
Johns described how her eyes stay fixed and nothing else moves, noting that this happens most when the talk is in a group. "It isn't boredom," he said. "Stillness like that is concentration: the body switching off its small movements so nothing leaks while the mind listens hard."
He suggested the contrast between her conduct at the Round Table and her demeanour elsewhere in the castle could lead to her being discovered. "Put it next to the Maya we see everywhere else in the castle, arms up and shouting at the mission gate, loose and laughing in the turret, and it's a clear change from her baseline, and it only happens at the one table where the vote is decided," he added.
Concerns for Acaster too
Johns also raised concerns about fellow Traitor Acaster, suggesting his quietness and reluctance to fully commit to the role could land him in trouble. "Quiet is survivable. Quiet plus a face that turns away from every vote is a pattern," he said. "The tension is inside the Traitors."
He noted that Maya has had to ask Acaster to "stay a little bit treacherous" and now describes Kenny as the one who does the jobs, with Acaster already the third wheel in his own team. Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One tonight at 8pm.
