Yam Yam Arocho Defends His Controversial Exit From 'The Traitors'

The Survivor winner says shouting out Lisa Rinna's name was just part of the game.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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After being 'murdered' by Lisa Rinna in a shocking moment on The Traitors, Yam Yam Arocho is defending his decision to call out Rinna's name as he was being taken away. Arocho argues that the 'element of danger' for the Traitors is that the person being 'murdered' will start 'screaming things,' so the Traitors need to be more careful. He also says he was surprised to find out that Rob Rausch was a Traitor, as he had trusted him. Arocho shares who he'd like to see play The Traitors next from the Survivor world, including Richard Hatch and Abi-Maria Gomes.

Why it matters

Arocho's controversial exit from The Traitors has sparked debate among fans about whether players should be allowed to call out their murderers as they're being taken away. His defense of his actions highlights the strategic and dramatic elements of the game.

The details

In the latest episode of The Traitors, Yam Yam Arocho was 'murdered' by Lisa Rinna at the black banquet. As he was being taken away, Arocho shouted out Rinna's name, which some fans felt was unfair. Arocho argues that this is just part of the game, as the Traitors need to be more careful if they don't want the person they're 'murdering' to start 'screaming things.' He was also shocked to find out that Rob Rausch was a Traitor, as he had trusted him.

  • In the most recent episode of The Traitors, Yam Yam Arocho was 'murdered' by Lisa Rinna.

The players

Yam Yam Arocho

The winner of Survivor 44 who was a contestant on The Traitors Season 4.

Lisa Rinna

A former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills who was a Traitor on The Traitors Season 4.

Rob Rausch

A contestant on The Traitors Season 4 who Yam Yam Arocho was surprised to find out was a Traitor.

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What they’re saying

“The element of it being so dangerous for the Traitors should be the fact that the person is going to start screaming things. So they need to be more cautious because if you are a Traitor, do your job, don't get caught.”

— Yam Yam Arocho (DECIDER)

“Everybody has to say what they think because that's the whole point of a murder. I mean, you're not like cutting my head off at the table, you're like pulling me away. So I think it's just part of the game.”

— Yam Yam Arocho (DECIDER)

What’s next

Arocho hopes to see Survivor legends like Richard Hatch and Abi-Maria Gomes compete on future seasons of The Traitors.

The takeaway

Yam Yam Arocho's controversial exit from The Traitors highlights the strategic and dramatic elements of the game, as well as the debate around whether players should be allowed to call out their murderers as they're being taken away.