Monét X Change Says She Was 'Really Surprised' by 'Traitors' Betrayal (Exclusive)
Monét X Change was onto Lisa Rinna insideThe Traitors castle — and unfortunately for her, being right about that got her murdered. The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner had begun suspecting the Real Housewives alum of being a Traitor and unknowingly shared that information with the one person she shouldn’t have: fellow Traitor Candiace Dillard Bassett.
In her exit interview with Men’s Journal, Monét walks through the strategic misstep that led to her murder, including how information she shared was ultimately used against her. She also weighs whether she would have preferred a banishment over a murder and reacts to learning who the Traitors really were.
Scroll down to read the full interview with Monét X Change.
Men’s Journal: Hi Monét! How are you feeling today after everything that happened?
Monét X Change: A little bitter, a little sour — but it’s the game. It’s part of the game. You can’t be mad at the players, but you can’t hate the game.
Men’s Journal: Your murder felt very abrupt. What was it like watching the episode back? Did anything surprise you?
Monét X Change: I was really surprised that Candiace betrayed me like that, because I thought we had an understanding. We had talked about trusting each other regardless of what our alignments were. Ultimately, the only people who know things definitively are the Traitors — the rest of the Faithfuls don’t really know. I had a pact with her that we would protect each other regardless of alignment. Obviously, she knew what I was, but I didn’t know what she was. I thought that as a Traitor, you’d still want Faithfuls who trust you. But she saw a moment of weakness and used it to get me out.
Men’s Journal: The Traitors seem unusually loyal this season. Did that dynamic surprise you?
Monét X Change: That’s the gaggiest part. The Traitors are so loyal this season. I feel like in past seasons, they would have sold each other down the river, but this time they’re reporting back to each other who’s saying their names. They’re really loyal — thick as thieves. In past iterations, you might still be worried about protecting your own game, but this time they really have each other’s backs.
Men’s Journal: Was Candiace the only person you told about suspecting Lisa Rinna?
Monét X Change: I think I also said it to Colton [Underwood], and probably Natalie [Anderson]. The people I trusted 100 percent were Natalie, Colton, Candiace, and Rob [Cesternino] — but Rob was obviously gone. I definitely told other people that I thought Lisa was a Traitor, but Candiace was the one it stuck with because she was actually a Traitor and used that information to get me out.
Men’s Journal: What stood out to you about Lisa’s behavior, particularly at breakfast?
Monét X Change: That was the thing. I felt like she was giving Traitor advice. When we were talking to Ron [Funches], he was just answering questions — he wasn’t overthinking or giving a think piece. With Lisa, it felt different. She was talking about a leather mask, and it just felt odd. I didn’t want Lisa to think too hard and hurt herself. That’s when I really felt like she was a Traitor. When I said it to Candiace later, it was because I was coming to terms with it and trying to plant a seed. My thinking was, “Let’s get Michael [Rapaport] out first, regardless of what he is, and then move on to Lisa.”
Men’s Journal: You chose Tiffany Mitchell to be unshielded during the mission. Did you suspect her at that point?
Monét X Change: From night one, I thought Tiffany was a Traitor. I was analyzing everyone’s walk up to Alan [Cumming] and back. Something about her stood out. I knew her reputation — the Cookout alliance, how strategic she is. I thought there had to be at least one gamer in the turret, and I assumed it was her. So when people started saying Tiffany’s name and I unshielded her, I thought it could be our chance to get a Traitor out. In hindsight, I should have let someone else do it. She obviously unshielded me because I put her spirit in that position first, which is completely fair. It’s another lesson of the game: You can make moves, but don’t be the one caught making them. Have your hands clean.
Men’s Journal: What was the atmosphere like when Tiffany revealed she was a Faithful?
Monét X Change: It was so somber. She gave such a carnal plea — it felt like she really needed it. And in your mind, you’re still wondering, “Is she just a really good Traitor?” You don’t know. When she revealed she was a Faithful, it wasn’t, “Oh man, we messed up.” It was silence. A silence of love. Like, wow, we really ruined someone’s opportunity. And that sucks.
Men’s Journal: Would you rather be murdered or banished?
Monét X Change: Banished. When you get banished, you get to go down fighting. You get to say your final piece. When you’re murdered, it’s just over — no one hears from you. I would have loved to be at that roundtable and either let them have it or plead my case with my last dying breath — with Lisa’s broken wine glass at my neck. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that chance.
Men’s Journal: What was your reaction when you found out who the Traitors were?
Monét X Change: I was shocked that Candiace and Rob [Rausch] were Traitors. I had no thought in my mind that it was them. Lisa, not as much — but Candiace and Rob shocked me. They’re playing the best game as Traitors. Rob is so quiet; he only speaks when spoken to. Candiace does a great job balancing things — she defends Faithfuls at the roundtable. She did it with Tiffany, she did it with Porsha [Williams]. After Porsha’s banishment, we were both so upset and commiserating at the bar. She was saying how she knew Porsha was a Faithful. I remember thinking, “Oh my God, she’s a Faithful.” But that was just her game — and she’s doing a really good job.
Men’s Journal: We’ve seen you on an influencer version ofSurvivor in Fiji and now on The Traitors. Would you ever do Big Brother?
Monét X Change: Oh, I would love to be in the Big Brother house. I really thrive at strategic gameplay. It didn’t work out this time, but I think the Big Brother house is calling my name. I would love to do it.