Chrishell Stause thinks Tom Sandoval’s Traitors game was ‘terrible’

We Chrishell Stause as a potential Traitor was just one of many mistakes Tom Sandoval made during the filming of season 3.

“I thought it was ridiculous,” Chrishell, 43, told the exclusive My Weekly on Sandoval’s initial approach. “I just felt like out of all the people and all the minds at this table, do we really think Sandoval solved the puzzle in .5 seconds after leaving the room?” No.”

Chrishell noted that Sandoval’s decision name her right from the start “worked” in her favor, adding: “I felt like he was so vocal and so wrong. It really seemed like whoever says (Traitor), we probably know he’s not. So I think it helped in my case to be honest.”

During the three-episode premiere, Sandoval, 42, got off to a stormy start when he accused Chrishell of being unfaithful despite having no evidence to support his theory. The pair faced off at the first round table where Chrishell was accused Sandoval of naming her just because she is close with his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix.

“He’s terrible (at playing the game). To be honest, there was no other reason why he would say my name,” she said. “He just said it so blatantly that he knew I was a traitor. Of course he’s going to be like, ‘Oh, I was really just playing a game.’ It felt personal and you probably can’t change your mind at this point.’

Chrisshell said Our she “definitely” did not ask Ariana, 39, for advice on how to deal with Sandoval sooner joining the successful Peacock series. Before being cast as a Season 3 contestant, Sandoval was given a March 2023 breakup with Ariana due to an affair with their The Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

After Sandoval and Ariana’s split made headlines, Chrishell chimed in, writing via X next to a red carpet photo of her and Ariana: “I love when we can all agree on something.”

Rumors of a dispute between Sandoval and Chrishell began dating in November 2024, when she shared a series of promotional photos of all of her fellow contestants—except Sandoval. The Sunset for sale star didn’t address the omission at the time, but is now opening up about her strategy go to the show.

“It was to make friends and get laid. At first, you don’t really feel like editing. My name was called at the first round table. I went into it with the best of intentions and had to throw the game plan away,” she recalled. “I had to go with what I could, which was to really defend myself and make people feel like I was loyal.”

Chrishell continued, “But if you do too good a job, you’ll be murdered. So I knew I had to get the shield and then I had to defend myself at the round table. At that point (after Sandoval named me), my game plan was shot.”

The reality star was able to avoid it be banished—or murdered — in the first two rounds, but it remains to be seen how long she lasts as a loyalist Traitors.

“This season is crazy. Every single episode has you on the edge of your seat because in the middle of filming I’m just like, ‘Wow, how are they going to cut this?’ Because the roundtables had you on the edge of your seat the whole time,” she teased. “I thought the first three episodes were so funny. I’m such a fan of the show though. It’s one of those situations where I say buckle up because you are in for a very bumpy and very fun ride.”

New episodes Traitors will be published on Peacock Thursdays until March 6.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi