Myha'la Herrold Addresses 'Unconscious Racial Bias' Claims on 'Celebrity Traitors'
The 'Industry' star pushed back against accusations of racism from fans while acknowledging potential for unconscious bias in the show's format.
Myha'la Herrold, star of the BBC show 'Celebrity Traitors,' has addressed claims of racial bias following her banishment from the competition. The American actress, 30, was the second contestant to be eliminated from the series.
Following her exit, a comment on Herrold's Instagram post from entrepreneur Chantel Sachanna suggested her banishment was due to her race, stating, "Unfortunately you were banished because you are BLACK. This is a consistent thread in this racist show." Herrold responded at length, acknowledging the existence of unconscious racial and cultural bias but ultimately defending her co-stars.
"I do agree that unconscious racial and cultural bias exists in this game where my authenticity or honesty or the ways in which I choose to express myself look suspicious to people who are unfamiliar with people like me," Herrold stated. She added that she had this fear coming into the game, as she was aware of how prevalent such biases can be and that she was the only American contestant besides Jerry Hall.
However, Herrold also defended her fellow competitors, writing, "I'm not saying it's right, I'm not saying racism doesn't exist, but I do have to defend my dear friends on this show who in no way consciously put bias on me because of my race." She concluded, "That's not a fair or complete assessment of what really happened in my case."
Herrold, known for her lead role in the BBC drama 'Industry,' was eliminated during a tense roundtable discussion. In her exit interview, she noted her close connection with fellow contestant Richard E. Grant, whom she felt she shouldn't have trusted, citing it as her potential downfall.
Fans on social media platform X expressed disappointment with her departure, with comments such as "Myha'la deserved better" and "My beautiful princess myha'la banished from traitors ITS NOT FAIR."
Sources close to the show have indicated that the high-pressure environment of 'Celebrity Traitors' can lead to intense interpersonal dynamics. "The tension is coming across on screen, but it was just as bad if not worse when the cameras stopped rolling," an insider told The Mail on Sunday. "It is a tense environment, and they are cut off from the outside world; it is hard for them to switch off even when they head back to their individual lodgings. They were constantly thinking about the game."
The pressure reportedly became so significant for comedian James Acaster, who was revealed as a Traitor in the second episode, that filming had to be paused. Acaster became "very anxious" on set, prompting other contestants to request a halt to filming. BBC bosses have since emphasized that contestant welfare is a priority.