Survivor Star Betrays Fellow Traitor in Dramatic Peacock Showdown

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In a shocking twist on the Jan. 16 episode of Peacock‘s competition series *The Traitors*, six-time *Survivor* contestant Boston Rob Mariano turned on fellow Traitor Bob the Drag Queen, setting the stage for a dramatic banishment. The episode, which aired Thursday night, saw Mariano, 49, accuse Bob, 38, of being a threat to their alliance, leading to a heated roundtable confrontation.

“I can’t trust Bob anymore, and we gotta give the Faithfuls some blood,” Mariano said in a confessional, referring to the two Faithfuls already banished. “So what I want to do is blindside Bob the Drag Queen, and I gotta do it tonight.”

The tension began after a mission where contestants built giant statues to earn safety. Bob, who won a shield during the challenge, initially felt secure. “I don’t think anyone thinks I’m a Traitor, and I have a shield,” he said. However, Mariano, sensing danger, convinced Dylan Efron, 32, to join his plan to oust Bob.

At the roundtable, Mariano accused Bob of being the mastermind behind the Traitors’ strategy. “I’ve been playing these games for a long time,” Mariano said. “There’s been one person who has been quarterbacking this entire show… Bob the Drag Queen.”

Bob vehemently denied the accusations, swearing he was a Faithful. But Dylan, backed by Mariano, stood firm. “I genuinely think you’re a Traitor,” Dylan said. “Bob is an amazing actor.” Bob retorted, “Not a good one,” sparking laughter and tension among the cast.

Ultimately, Bob was banished with a majority vote, revealing his true role as a Traitor. “I don’t believe in God: I’m a Traitor,” he confessed before leaving. The remaining contestants celebrated their first successful Traitor elimination, with Mariano earning praise for his strategic move.

New episodes of *The Traitors* stream Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.