Traitors' Eric Nam Reveals Why He Never Betrayed Rob Rausch

The K-pop star was concerned about how his first American reality TV appearance would be perceived.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Eric Nam, a contestant on the reality TV show The Traitors, exclusively shared with E! News that he remained faithful to his fellow Traitor Rob Rausch until the end of the show because he didn't want his introduction to American audiences to be that of a "conniving, backstabbing liar." Nam saw Rausch as the "Father Traitor" who had recruited him, and felt it "didn't really feel right" to betray him so soon after being brought into the Traitors' alliance.

Why it matters

Nam's decision not to betray Rausch, even though Rausch ultimately betrayed him to win the $220,800 prize pot, highlights the complex ethical dilemmas contestants face on reality shows like The Traitors, where deception and betrayal are central to the gameplay.

The details

In addition to having a "different line in the sand" compared to Rausch, Nam was concerned about the public perception of him. "I didn't want my introduction to America to be a conniving, backstabbing liar," he told E! News. Nam saw Rausch as the one who had recruited him to the Traitors, so he felt it "didn't really feel right" to betray him so soon. "Imagine if I crossed Rob. Going back to the image part, people would literally hate me," Nam said.

  • The Traitors season four finale aired in March 2026.

The players

Eric Nam

A 37-year-old K-pop star who was a contestant on The Traitors.

Rob Rausch

A 27-year-old contestant on The Traitors who ultimately betrayed Nam to win the $220,800 prize pot.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't want my introduction to America to be a conniving, backstabbing liar.”

— Eric Nam (E! News)

“I was like, 'I'm down to win this with Rob.' Imagine if I crossed Rob. Going back to the image part, people would literally hate me.”

— Eric Nam (E! News)

What’s next

Nam is now using his experience on The Traitors to inspire the music video for his new single "How the Fire Started," which features several of his former castmates seeking "revenge" on the person who "screwed us all over."

The takeaway

Nam's decision not to betray his fellow Traitor Rob Rausch, even though Rausch ultimately betrayed him, highlights the complex ethical dilemmas contestants face on reality shows like The Traitors where deception and betrayal are central to the gameplay. Nam was concerned about how his actions would be perceived by American audiences, prioritizing his public image over potential winnings.