Love Island star Maura Higgins has become the centre of a fiery confrontation with controversial actor Michael Rapaport on the celebrity edition of The Traitors US. The tense roundtable exchange, which aired this week, has sparked a major reaction online, with viewers applauding Higgins for standing her ground.
The Tense Roundtable Confrontation
In the latest episodes of the hit reality competition, which features celebrities including Shirley Ballas's son Mark and Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna, suspicions are already running high. During a particularly fraught discussion, Higgins, 33, zeroed in on the language used by Rapaport, 55, best known for playing Phoebe's boyfriend Gary on Friends.
The clash erupted when Rapaport used the phrase "we got rid of" while talking about contestants who had been murdered by the secret Traitors. Higgins immediately challenged him, asking, "Why did you say, 'we got rid of'? Does that mean you're a Traitor?"
Rapaport attempted to defend himself, stating, "Let me tell you something, Maura. I'm as faithful as a faithful—" but was cut off by the Irish reality star. She retorted, "Why did you say 'we'? We didn't - the Traitors did."
Fan Reaction and Support for Maura
The moment did not go unnoticed by fellow player Kristen Kish from Top Chef, who later echoed Higgins's point, telling Rapaport, "You literally said 'we'." His dismissive reply, "And I've said a lot of things," was met with a muttered "Maybe just stop talking" from Higgins.
Fans swiftly took to social media platform X to voice their support for Maura Higgins's direct approach. One viewer wrote, "Maura being unafraid and standing up to Michael is so far my favoritest part of the new season of #TheTraitorsUS." Another commented, "It was at this moment that Maura Higgins spoke for all of us #TheTraitorsUS."
Not all feedback was positive for Rapaport, however, with a third fan criticising the casting choice: "Producers probably figured Michael Rapaport would make for good TV bc he's so easy to ragebait but he's actually just ruining this season because he's quite literally insufferable."
Maura's Gameplan Revealed
Earlier in the week, Maura Higgins had hinted at her aggressive strategy for the game. She revealed, "Well, I'm starting off wearing a cape. So... I'm hoping I'm a Traitor and I hope to kill everyone one by one."
She added with a laugh, "If someone comes for me at the round table, God love them. Sounds a bit traitor-y to me. I speak my mind. I'm not really a shadow kind of girl. That sounded really devious, didn't it?"
With only three episodes of The Traitors US season aired so far, this clash suggests the roundtable drama is only just beginning. The series continues to air, promising more high-stakes deception and celebrity conflict.
