Chrishell Stause Thinks Tom Sandoval’s Game of Traitors Is ‘Terrible’

We are Chrishel Stause as a possible Traitor was just one of many mistakes Tom Sandoval done while filming season 3.

“I thought it was ridiculous,” Chrishell, 43, said altogether Us Weekly about Sandoval’s initial approach. “I just felt like of all the people and all the thoughts at this table, do we really think that Sandoval solved the puzzle in 0.5 seconds after leaving the room? No.”

Chrishell noted that Sandoval’s decision i her name right off the bat “worked” in her favor, adding, “I felt it was so loud and so wrong. It really felt like whoever he says (the Traitor), we probably know he isn’t. So I think it helped in my case, to be honest.”

During the three-episode premiere, Sandoval, 42, got off to a rocky start when he accused Chrishell of not being Faithful even though there was no evidence to support his theory. The pair faced off at the first roundtable deportation meeting at Chrishell’s place accused Sandoval of naming her just because she was close with his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix.

“He’s terrible (at playing the game). To be honest with you, there was no other reason for him to say my name,” he said. “He said it so clearly that he knew I was a Traitor. Of course he’s going to act like, ‘Oh, I was really just playing the game.’ For me, it felt personal and you probably can’t change your mind at this point.”

Chrisshell said Us she “definitely” never asked Ariana, 39, for advice about dealing with Sandoval before joining the popular series Peacock. Before he was cast as a season 3 contestant, Sandoval received major backlash following his March 2023 split from Ariana due to their relationship Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

After Sandoval and Ariana made headlines, Chrishell weighed in, writing via X alongside a red carpet photo of her and Ariana, “I love it when we can all agree on something.”

Rumors of a quarrel between Sandoval and Chrishell began in November 2024 when he shared a series of promotional photos of all his fellow competitors – except Sandoval. The Sunset Sale Star did not comment on the omission at the time but is now opening up about his strategy enter the show.

“It was to make friends and lie low. You don’t even want to do that much editing at first. My name was brought up in the first round table. I went in with the best of intentions and had to throw that game plan away,” he recalled. “I had to go with what I could, which was to protect myself and make sure people felt I was Loyal.”

Chrishell continued: “But then if you do too much work, you’ll be ready for murder. So I knew I had to have a shield and then I had to defend myself at the round table. At that point (after Sandoval named me), my game plan was shot.”

The reality star was able to avoid be deported – or murdered – in the first two rounds but it remains to be seen how long he lasted as a Loyal The Traitors.

“This season is crazy. Every episode is going to leave you on the edge of your seat because in the middle of filming I was just thinking, ‘Wow, how are they going to edit this?’ Because even the round tables had you on the edge of your seat the whole time,” he teased. “I thought the first three episodes were so entertaining. Even if I take myself out of it, I’m such a fan of the show. It’s one of those situations where I say ‘buckle up’ because you’re going to have a very bumpy and entertaining ride.”

New episodes of The Traitors will be released on Peacock Thursdays until March 6.

With reports from Christina Garibaldi