Maya Jama Calls Recruitment of James Acaster and Hannah Fry a 'Stupid Decision'
The 'Celebrity Traitors' host reflects on behind-the-scenes tension and a 'wild' moment she overheard a co-star discussing her.
Maya Jama, host of the BBC show 'Celebrity Traitors,' has revealed that her decision to recruit James Acaster and Hannah Fry as Traitors was a "stupid decision." Jama admitted this during a TikTok video where she shared behind-the-scenes insights from the show's filming.
Jama, who is also known for hosting 'Love Island,' explained that she was unaware Acaster and Fry had expressed reservations about being Traitors. "If I knew that I would never have agreed to recruit them because that's just stupid," she stated, adding that she felt stressed by the situation.
Filming the show, which takes place in a castle, proved to be an intense experience for Jama. She described having minimal sleep from the early days of filming, as she was one of the few original Traitors remaining. The lack of sleep led her to prioritize rest over personal grooming, admitting she hadn't washed her hair from episode four onwards.
Recalling a particularly "wild" moment, Jama described walking in on contestant Sebastian Croft discussing whether she was a Traitor. "Conversations that were happening behind your back. Me walking in on Bash talking about me. No idea," she said.
The second series of 'The Traitors' has reportedly been marked by significant behind-the-scenes tension among the celebrity contestants. Unlike the first celebrity season, which was characterized by a more lighthearted atmosphere, this season has been described as extremely stressful, with participants allegedly "at one another's throats" even when cameras were not rolling.
Sources suggest that incorrect decisions made at the round table, leading to the banishment of two Faithfuls, contributed to the pervasive paranoia among the cast. This tension has reportedly spilled over into real life, making it difficult for contestants to disengage from the game, especially given their isolation from the outside world.
Comedian James Acaster, who was recruited as a Traitor in the second episode, experienced significant distress. Filming was paused at one point due to his anxiety, with other contestants urging for the cameras to stop. Acaster has been vocal on screen about his discomfort with deception, stating, "I'm not good at lying."
Other contestants have also struggled with the show's pressures. Rob Beckett's high-energy behavior reportedly became difficult for some castmates to handle, and one contestant "really lost their nerve," stunning others. The intense environment reportedly caused some participants to forget that the show was a game.
Among those banished in recent episodes were U.S. actress Myha'la Herrold and former 'Coronation Street' star Julie Hesmondhalgh. Ross Kemp, known for his role as Grant Mitchell in 'EastEnders,' has entertained viewers with his increasing paranoia about other contestants touching him.
Even the teams supporting the contestants were kept in the dark during filming, with no contact allowed until their client was eliminated from the game. Agents and publicists had no influence over the edited footage and could only hope their clients received a favorable portrayal.