Leigh-Anne Pinnock has voiced her support for "Celebrity Traitors" co-star Myha'la, who recently stated that "unconscious racial bias" is present in the reality competition's structure. Pinnock, speaking to Glamour magazine, described Myha'la's comments as "beautifully worded" and urged the public to cease sending hateful messages to the American actress.
Myha'la, known for her role in the BBC drama "Industry," first brought up the issue of racial bias after being banished from the show. In response to an Instagram comment suggesting the show was "racist," Myha'la acknowledged that while she does not believe her co-stars acted with conscious racial bias, she agrees that unconscious bias is a factor in the game. She explained that early in the competition, there is little information to go on, and her own authentic expressions or behaviors might appear suspicious to those unfamiliar with people like her.
She also noted her awareness of this potential issue before entering the game, partly due to being the only American contestant. Myha'la emphasized that while racism is a real issue, she felt compelled to defend her "dear friends" on the show, stating that their decision to vote her out was not consciously race-based. She suggested that games like "The Traitors" could benefit from more discussion around unconscious bias, especially when players are under pressure and tend to gravitate toward the familiar or push away the unfamiliar.
Myha'la was the second contestant to be eliminated from the current series of "Celebrity Traitors." Pinnock, who has previously spoken about her own experiences with racism, particularly during her time in the group Little Mix, indicated that Myha'la was subjected to online trolling and racist remarks following her statement. The BBC has been contacted for comment on the matter. Pinnock's support for her co-star comes as the show continues to draw attention for its dramatic eliminations and contestant dynamics.