Who Is the “Snake Guy,” Rob Rausch, on 'The Traitors'?
If you’re hooked on the latest season of The Traitors, you might be wondering who that guy is with the snake tattoos and quiet disposition.
His name is Rob Rausch, and he professionally wrangles snakes for a living, has survived two seasons of Love Island USA, and is largely unbothered by drama.
His Claim to Fame
Rausch joined Love Island USA Season 5 as part of the Casa Amor crew. (For those unfamiliar, in the middle of the season’s run, connections are split up with one group taken to another villa — Casa Amor, where new love interests are brought in, and each house faces temptation away from their connections.)
In Season 5, his stint on the island was brief, but he was brought back for Season 6 as an original cast member. In the next season, his return left quite an impression on viewers. He famously uncoupled with the breakout star, Leah Kateb, journeying through a “villain arc,” followed by a series of recouplings, and leaving the villa single with nearly a million followers.
After the success of Season 6 of Love Island USA, the network followed it up with Love Island: Beyond the Villa, a glimpse into the contestants' lives a year after. Not wanting to be “inauthentic,” Rausch turned the opportunity down since the filming took place in Los Angeles. Rausch, who was born and raised in Alabama, still lives in his hometown.
What Is Rob Like on The Traitors? (Spoilers Ahead)
The Traitors is essentially a live mafia game where celebrity contestants are gathered in the Scottish Highlands to try to sniff out the chosen Traitors — handpicked by the deliciously devious host Alan Cumming — who, in exchange, are tasked with picking off the Faithfuls (the non-Traitors), one by one.
Rausch was chosen to be one of the Traitors, along with former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Lisa Rinna and former Real Housewives of Potomac’s Candiace Dillard Bassett.
“I’m honestly having some of the most fun I’ve ever had in forever,” he said of the experience. “It’s like catching snakes. Like, this is kind of scary, but it’s fun. I love it.”
In the episodes released so far, Rausch has gone under the radar, befriending the cast and becoming something of an eye candy for the group.
“I’ve been underestimated my entire life,” Rausch said. “I catch snakes, post videos on the internet. I’m kinda quiet, but I think that’s one of my biggest strengths. When people underestimate you, that’s when you catch them by surprise.”
To find out whether this snake (and heart) wrangler makes it to the end, viewers can tune into Peacock, where episodes of the The Traitors' fourth season air every Thursday.