Stephen Colletti, a contestant on ‘The Traitors’ season 4, revealed that he kept quiet about his past role in Taylor Swift’s ‘White Horse’ music video while filming with Donna Kelce, mother of Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce, due to concerns over backlash from Swifties. This omission came to light in a recent interview, highlighting the unique pressures of celebrity dynamics in reality TV.
The fourth season of Peacock’s reality competition ‘The Traitors’ has introduced an unexpected element with the inclusion of Donna Kelce, set to become Taylor Swift’s mother-in-law. As contestants navigated the game of deception and alliances, Stephen Colletti harbored a secret connection to the pop superstar that he chose not to disclose. Colletti, known for his role on ‘Laguna Beach,’ played Swift’s love interest in her 2009 ‘White Horse’ video, a fact that surprisingly never surfaced in conversations with Kelce during filming. This silence was deliberate, stemming from the cast’s awareness of the intense fandom surrounding Swift and her family.
In a People magazine interview published on January 12, 2026, Colletti and his fellow contestants discussed their experiences with Donna Kelce. While others praised her as ‘America’s mom’ and noted her business acumen, Colletti acknowledged the pervasive fear of Swifties among the players. ‘Everyone was afraid of the Swifties right off the jump,’ he explained, referring to the reluctance to target Kelce for fear of online retaliation. This caution shaped the game’s dynamics, making Kelce a uniquely protected contestant and influencing strategic decisions.
Colletti admitted that he never brought up his Swift connection with Kelce, missing a potential bonding opportunity. ‘I should have bonded with Donna about that. It didn’t come up,’ he said. His co-stars were shocked to learn of his video role during the interview, with Monét X Change exclaiming, ‘Wait, what?!’ and Candiace Dillard Bassett joking about needing to Google it later. This revelation underscores how past collaborations can be overlooked even in entertainment circles, especially under the pressure of reality TV.
The context of Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, announced in August 2025, added layers to the interaction. Donna Kelce’s presence was a constant topic, with contestants aware of her celebrity through her sons. In a twist for season 4, Kelce was the ‘secret’ Traitor, her identity hidden until her banishment in episode 3. She embraced this role, telling the cast, ‘I know I’m the sacrificial lamb,’ before exiting, which added drama to the show’s narrative and highlighted her willingness to play the game.
Colletti’s silence reflects the broader sensitivity around celebrity families in media, where fans can sway public perception. The cast’s wariness of Swifties influenced their gameplay, with players like Rob Cesternino noting Kelce’s intelligence beyond her maternal image. This dynamic turned the castle into a microcosm of how fame and fandom intersect, affecting social interactions and strategic choices in competitive settings.
As new episodes of ‘The Traitors’ air on Peacock, Colletti’s story serves as a reminder of pop culture’s interconnectedness, where past roles resurface in unexpected contexts. For viewers, it offers insight into the behind-the-scenes considerations that shape reality TV, balancing entertainment with real-world implications. The event underscores the lasting impact of celebrity connections, even in scenarios designed for suspense and surprise.
