Stephen Colletti Reflects on His 'Traitors' Journey

The reality TV veteran opens up about his time on the intense competition show and teases updates on 'Laguna Beach' and 'One Tree Hill' reboots.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Stephen Colletti, known for his roles on 'Laguna Beach' and 'One Tree Hill', recently competed on the reality competition show 'The Traitors'. In this interview, Colletti breaks down his experience on the show, from his initial strategy to the dramatic moments that led to his elimination. He also shares updates on potential reboots of his past hit shows and which of his former castmates he thinks would excel at the 'Traitors' game.

Why it matters

Colletti's appearance on 'The Traitors' marks his return to reality TV after years focused on scripted projects. His insights offer a unique perspective on navigating the intense gameplay and interpersonal dynamics of a high-stakes competition show. As a veteran of iconic reality and scripted series, Colletti's thoughts on potential reboots also hold significant interest for fans of his past work.

The details

Colletti admits he was initially 'scared away from reality TV' but couldn't pass up the opportunity to compete on 'The Traitors'. He went into the game with a strategy of 'letting the game come to him', building relationships and gathering information to inform his decisions. However, his confidence was shaken when fellow contestant Lisa Rinna raised suspicions about his interactions. Ultimately, Colletti was targeted and eliminated by Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, who he believes had a pre-existing alliance. Despite the disappointing end to his 'Traitors' journey, Colletti remains hopeful about the potential for reboots of 'Laguna Beach' and 'One Tree Hill', though details remain scarce.

  • Colletti competed on the February 2026 season of 'The Traitors'.
  • The 'Laguna Beach' reunion was recently filmed.

The players

Stephen Colletti

An actor known for his roles on the reality series 'Laguna Beach' and the scripted drama 'One Tree Hill', as well as the comedy series 'Everyone Is Doing Great' that he co-created.

Lisa Rinna

A fellow contestant on 'The Traitors' who raised suspicions about Colletti's interactions during the game.

Johnny Weir

A 'Traitors' contestant who, along with Tara Lipinski, successfully targeted Colletti for elimination.

Tara Lipinski

A 'Traitors' contestant who, along with Johnny Weir, successfully targeted Colletti for elimination.

Natalie

A 'Traitors' contestant whose 'questionable gut feeling' contributed to Colletti's elimination.

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What they’re saying

“As conversations went on, I realized these two totally knew they were going to be on the show together, and they had a pact. I was frustrated at first, like, 'What a cheat code to go into the game having somebody that you can trust 100%.' But hats off to them. They're champions. And if I'm going to go down to those two, it's a good way to go down.”

— Stephen Colletti (Bustle)

What’s next

Colletti is hopeful that the long-awaited 'Laguna Beach' reunion will offer a unique and nostalgic look at the lives of the cast members 20 years later.

The takeaway

Colletti's experience on 'The Traitors' showcases his adaptability in navigating the high-stakes world of reality TV competition, even after years focused on scripted projects. His insights and reflections on the show, as well as the potential for reboots of his past hit series, offer a compelling look at the evolving landscape of entertainment.