Ciara Miller on the Exhausting Nature of ‘The Traitors’ and That Sweet Boston Rob Moment

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Ciara Miller, a cast member from “Summer House” and a competitor on “The Traitors”, boldly ventured beyond her usual sphere by participating in the third season of Peacock’s popular competition show.

For several episodes, there was much debate about whether the 29-year-old reality TV star was loyal or deceitful. Miller was included in a group of three contestants who were locked inside coffins during an initial episode, serving as a mechanism for traitors to eliminate their victim each week. Remarkably, both Miller and wrestler Nikki Garcia survived this ordeal, but they immediately became high-profile targets in the game due to their survival.

After Garcia’s expulsion from the show, Miller experienced a brief respite from scrutiny. However, as is typical in the Emmy-winning series, the idea that she could be a Traitor persisted and ultimately led to her dismissal during a meeting. Spoiler: In reality, she was Loyal.

Miller expresses to The Hollywood Reporter that he doubts his ability to play the role of a Traitor effectively, explaining, “I’m honestly too honest and straightforward. I might inadvertently reveal my own secrets.

The television personality didn’t express shock upon receiving her expulsion; instead, she had anticipated it. Later on, Miller delves into the concept of the ‘coffin theory’, shares her response upon learning the true identities of the traitors, and recounts the significant encounter with Boston Rob.

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Could you elaborate on what specifically made the show feel more emotionally exhausting and demanding than you anticipated during your exit interview?

Each day brings a whirlwind of activities: shooting an episode, participating in challenges, attending round table discussions, and strategizing amidst it all. It’s a busy schedule that requires constant awareness of the ongoing events and careful consideration of who you’re interacting with. With numerous cast members to keep track of, there’s hardly a moment’s rest from staying vigilant during these filming days. Playing this game at such a heightened level of alertness is truly draining, not just physically but mentally, as the constant release of cortisol takes its toll.

Was the topic of the ‘coffin theory’ frequently discussed. Initially, it seemed like you and Nikki Garcia were under everyone’s scrutiny, but then it seemed to fade for a while. Did you find it surprising when it resurfaced, or had you anticipated its return?

It was clear to me that the topic would resurface, given its association with Danielle Reyes and Carolyn Wiger. I had anticipated it and even managed to avoid discussing it during several meetings, but I knew the Traitors wouldn’t let it fade away completely. At that particular meeting, I could sense that some people were targeting me and pushing this theory, so I was not surprised when it came up again.

As a gamer, before I discovered that Carolyn and Danielle were actually Traitors, I was confidently expressing my belief that they were Faithfuls. When I uncovered the truth, my mindset shifted dramatically. I felt betrayed, confused, and even a little angry. I started questioning every interaction we’d had up to that point, wondering if there were signs I missed or if there was some hidden agenda. It was a moment of revelation that changed the game dynamics significantly.

Carolyn, I initially perceived her as a Loyal ally, but she seemed uncertain, so I had my doubts. It might sound harsh, but it seemed like no one was paying much attention to her. On the other hand, Danielle, at first glance, appeared to be a Deceiver. After being confined in the coffins, Nikki told me that Jeremy [Collins] had labeled Danielle as a Traitor, and then he met his end. This should have prompted us to scrutinize Danielle more closely. However, Nikki seemed to turn against me, and we found ourselves at odds when we ought to have been targeting Danielle. As the number of people in the house dwindled, conversations became more frequent, and she managed to convince me that she wasn’t a Deceiver. I believe I was deceived by her emotional manipulation and behind-the-scenes tactics.

You’ve been spending a lot of time with these individuals. To be honest, I haven’t followed any of them in other shows, so I’m discovering them anew. If I had watched some of them before, perhaps I would have understood their capabilities better. Frankly, Danielle always seemed peculiar to me, not just because of her gameplay, but also because she didn’t seem to have the numbers needed for elimination at a round table when I was there.

You’ve probably watched reality TV on Bravo, but this isn’t the usual kind. It’s not like the challenges some gamers are accustomed to. I’m curious about those extreme tasks. I have a feeling that the bug one was the most difficult, but how did you prepare for something that can’t truly be prepared for?

Reflecting on our initial challenge, I recall thinking, “Boy, I’m woefully out of practice. This is incredibly tough,” particularly the phase where we were running while people were in cages. I can’t fathom how I could have trained for such an ordeal unless I was already in top shape. As for the bugs, there was nothing that could have ever prepared me for that. The only way I managed to endure it was by shutting my eyes and having Boston Rob, thankfully, by my side. However, he was a traitor, which makes things even more complicated. Honestly, there’s nothing anyone could have warned me about to prepare for that experience.

Was the heartfelt interaction between you and Boston Rob widely shared on the internet? Clearly, his betrayal was exposed, but watching that tender scene unfold on television was still a delight. Did this touching moment provide some encouragement for you during the trial?

In that contest, Chrishell [Stause] and Dolores [Catania] swiftly withdrew their participation. I responded, “Alright, we’re good. Let’s withdraw. There’s no need to continue. We already secured the shield.” The prize money didn’t matter to me. Who cares? I felt like, let’s withdraw. This is getting crazy. He suggested, “It’s just eight more minutes, we can do this. We can add more to the pot.” I don’t want to play games or be a good sport. This isn’t the kind of sportsmanship I appreciate. I had to close my eyes. It was absolutely insane. He said, “It’s only eight minutes. You’ve endured harder things for eight minutes.” Him trying to distract me, and with my eyes tightly shut, he kept asking me various questions. I wouldn’t have survived that challenge if it wasn’t for him. Frankly, I was ready to disregard the money. We had already obtained the shields. I felt like our task was accomplished within a minute.

Who do you want to win it all?

I’d prefer to observe a woman who typically manages the household (a Housewife). Given that Dolores is not available, I’d be interested in meeting another Housewife, and perhaps Dylan Efron as well. He put in a lot of effort and stepped out of his comfort zone during that project. He debated with various people, engaged with Housewives, and certainly took some risks on multiple occasions.

Do you have regrets from the game or anything you would’ve done differently?

Reflecting on the experience, I can honestly say I have no regrets about my initial foray into this unique game. With so many varying personalities and dynamics at play, it was all rather unfamiliar territory. If given another chance to participate, I believe I’d be more assertive in expressing myself and perhaps even push the boundaries a bit further. In short, I would approach it with renewed vigor and intensity.

If they were to ever have an all-star season, would you do it again?

Absolutely! Without a doubt, I’d relive the experience all over again. Firstly, the outfits were a blast – they added an extra layer of excitement to the show. The dramatic nature of it all just seems so fitting. Plus, the idea of a new season with fresh twists and turns is intriguing.

I’ve seen some interesting suggestions online about allowing players to use a shield for banishment. It’s fascinating how people come up with different strategies to master this game. I can only imagine the excitement of seeing these new tactics unfold in the upcoming seasons!

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The Traitors streams new episodes starting Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Peacock.

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2025-02-28 18:55