Reality TV is usually pretty predictable. You get the loud ones, the quiet ones, and the ones who are clearly just there to boost their Instagram following. But when the news broke that Courtney Act, the legendary drag queen and global superstar, was joining the cast of The Traitors Australia Season 2, the vibe shifted. It wasn't just another casting choice. It was a collision of two very different worlds: the high-glam, razor-sharp wit of drag culture and the paranoid, backstabbing pressure cooker of a social deduction game.
People often forget that Shane Jenek—the person behind the lashes—is a seasoned strategist.
Most viewers know Courtney from RuPaul’s Drag Race or her iconic win on Celebrity Big Brother UK. She’s used to being watched. She’s used to performing. But The Traitors is a different beast entirely. In that mansion, your biggest strength is often your greatest liability. If you’re too charismatic, people think you’re a Traitor. If you’re too quiet, people think you’re a Traitor. Basically, everyone thinks everyone is a Traitor.
The Reality of Courtney Act on The Traitors
Let’s be real. Courtney Act is a "main character" by default. You can’t put one of the most famous drag queens in the world into a room and expect her to blend into the wallpaper. That was the immediate hurdle. In the second season of the Australian version of the show—which aired on Network 10—Courtney entered the game alongside other "celebrities" and "civilians" in a hybrid format that honestly felt a bit chaotic from the jump.
The game is simple on paper. A few people are "Traitors" who "murder" someone every night. The "Faithful" have to find them and banish them at the Round Table.
Courtney’s approach was fascinating to watch because she played as Shane. While we saw glimpses of the drag persona, the game required a level of vulnerability and groundedness that "Courtney" doesn't always have to show. Shane is perceptive. He’s spent decades navigating the entertainment industry, which, let’s be honest, is probably better training for The Traitors than anything else.
Why Drag Queens Are Built for This Game
Think about what it takes to be a successful drag queen. You have to read a room in seconds. You have to deflect hecklers. You have to manage a persona while keeping your real intentions (and your tuck) hidden. It is, fundamentally, a game of social masking.
When Courtney Act sat at that Round Table, she wasn't just looking at who was nervous. She was looking at the performance. Drag is all about the "reveal," but in The Traitors, the best reveal is the one that never happens.
However, fame is a double-edged sword. In Season 2, the "celebrity" factor played a massive role in how the game unfolded. Figures like Courtney and Hannah Ferrier (from Below Deck) had targets on their backs before they even unpacked their bags. The "Faithful" players who weren't famous were naturally suspicious of anyone who makes a living being charming on camera.
The Sam Prince Factor and the Season 2 Chaos
You can't talk about Courtney Act’s stint on the show without mentioning the absolute train wreck that was the rest of the season's strategy. This season is widely regarded by fans as one of the most frustrating—yet addictive—watches in the franchise's history.
Why? Because of Sam Prince.
Sam played one of the most brazen, "hide in plain sight" Traitor games ever seen. He was almost pathologically confident. For someone like Courtney, who relies on logic and social cues, the sheer irrationality of the other Faithfuls was a nightmare. There were moments where the logic was staring them in the face, and yet, the group would pivot to banish someone completely innocent.
- Courtney’s social game was strong, but she was playing with people who weren't always playing logically.
- The tension between the "celebs" and the "everyday" players created a fractured house.
- The "Sheriff" role and other twists added layers that made even the best reads feel shaky.
It’s kinda wild to see someone as polished as Shane get caught up in the emotional whirlwind of the Round Table. You could see the frustration in his eyes. It’s the "gaslighting" effect of the game. When you know you’re right, but ten people are telling you you’re wrong, you start to question your own reality.
Breaking Down the "Traitors Drag Queen" Phenomenon
The inclusion of a drag queen in this format wasn't just about diversity; it was about the skillset. Since Courtney's run, fans have been clamoring for more drag representation in the franchise. Imagine Peppermint or Bob the Drag Queen in the US version? The level of psychological warfare would be off the charts.
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Courtney proved that you don't need to be a "gamer" in the traditional sense to understand the mechanics of betrayal. She understood the assignment. She knew that the show is a televised social experiment.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Strategy
A lot of critics said Courtney should have been "louder" or taken more control. But that’s a rookie mistake. In The Traitors, the person leading the charge is usually the next one murdered. Courtney played a "middle-of-the-pack" social game for as long as she could. She focused on building genuine connections.
The problem wasn't Courtney's strategy. It was the collective "herd mentality" of the Season 2 Faithfuls. They were so easily manipulated by Sam that even the most insightful observations from players like Courtney were dismissed as "deflection."
It’s honestly painful to rewatch some of those Round Tables. You see Shane trying to point out the obvious, only to be met with blank stares. It highlights a major flaw in the human psyche: we often prefer a comfortable lie from someone we "like" over a hard truth from someone we find intimidating or "different."
The Impact on Courtney’s Legacy
Does being on a show about lying and backstabbing hurt a brand like Courtney Act’s? Probably not. If anything, it humanized her further. We saw Shane in his hoodies, looking tired, looking stressed, and looking genuinely gutted when friends were banished.
It’s a far cry from the perfectly lit stages of Drag Race.
She didn't win the grand prize, but she won the respect of the hardcore Traitors fanbase. In a season that many found "unwatchable" due to the poor gameplay of the Faithfuls, Courtney was a voice of reason. She was one of the few who actually seemed to be playing the game rather than just being a pawn in Sam's master plan.
How to Apply "The Courtney Method" to Social Games
If you’re a fan of social deduction games like Among Us, Werewolf, or you're dreaming of being cast on The Traitors, there are actual lessons to be learned from Courtney Act’s performance.
- The Mask is Mandatory: Whether you're a Traitor or a Faithful, you are playing a character. Shane knew when to be the "celebrity" and when to be the "confidant."
- Listen More Than You Talk: Courtney’s best moments came from observing the small slips in others' stories.
- Don't Be Too Right: This sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re the only person who sees the truth, the Traitors will kill you because you’re a threat, and the Faithful will banish you because they think you’re trying too hard.
- Build Emotional Capital: You need people to like you so much that they refuse to believe you could be a "bad guy," even when the evidence points right at you.
Moving Forward With The Traitors Franchise
The "Courtney Act effect" has changed how casting directors look at the show. We’re seeing more "niche" celebrities who have high social IQs. The era of just casting "loud" people is fading; the era of casting "smart" people who understand the art of the performance is here.
If you haven't watched the Australian Season 2 yet, do it. Not because the gameplay is brilliant (it’s mostly a disaster), but because watching Courtney Act navigate that disaster is a masterclass in patience.
Next Steps for Fans:
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- Watch the UK and US Versions: Compare how "celebrity" contestants are treated there versus the Australian "hybrid" model.
- Study the "Social Mask": Watch Courtney’s confessionals versus her Round Table presence. Notice the subtle shifts in body language and tone.
- Follow the Post-Game Interviews: Courtney has been quite vocal in podcasts about the mental toll the show took, which gives great insight into the "reality" of reality TV.
- Analyze the Edit: Pay attention to how the show uses music and cutting to make Courtney look suspicious or heroic depending on the episode's narrative needs.
Ultimately, Courtney Act didn't need to win the silver to prove she was one of the sharpest tools in the shed. She just had to survive the room. And in a game where everyone is looking for a reason to throw you under the bus, simply staying true to your intuition is a victory in itself.