'The Traitors Canada' host Karine Vanasse teases amped-up Season 2: 'It's fun to see people being so wrong'
22 Canadians compete in 'the ultimate game of deception' in Season 2 of 'The Traitors Canada'
The Canadian version of the famed reality TV franchise, The Traitors Canada, is back for Season 2 on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app, premiering Sept. 23 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (available to stream on Crave the next day). Host Karine Vanasse returns and has teased that the show's production really "delivered" for its second season of the addictive competition series.
"What excited me the most, I think, was knowing that the tone of the show was accepted by the viewers, and that for Season 2 we could go even further with that whole world of The Traitors and how we play with it," Vanasse told Yahoo Canada. "The production really delivered. So it was great to see that."
"It's fun to see people being so wrong and thinking that they're so right. I feel like in that world of not knowing who you can trust, ... I think it's human nature to at least want to think that you're right about something. ... It's sad to see how wrong they are most of the time. ... But the joy that arises when they get a Traitor, I understand why they at least try to be right sometimes."
It's fun to see people being so wrong and thinking that they're so right.
How does 'The Traitors Canada' work?
In The Traitors Canada Season 2, 22 people compete in "the ultimate game of deception."
Vanasse begins orchestrating the competition, which takes place in a mansion outside of Montreal. The host picks three people to be the Traitors and the rest of the cast are Faithfuls. Each night, the Traitors meet to murder a Faithful, while the Faithfuls are also trying to identify the Traitors and get them kicked out of the game.
If the Faithfuls are able to banish all the Traitors, they will win the final cash prize of up to $100,000. If a Traitor makes it to the end of the competition, the Traitor leaves with all the money. All contestants also have to work together to compete in a series of missions, in order to increase that final pot of prize money by the end of the season.
For Vanasse, this is far from a regular hosting gig. The Canadian actor is really more of a character for this series. It's not about being particularly hospitable to the competitors, but rather developing and enhancing the mysterious tension of the show.
"I know the truth, they don't, and that power dynamic is always surprising to feel," Vanasse said. "That sets the tone for our dynamic."
"I think they love that I can pretend to be the host of this big manor and the more I play with it, the more the fashion supports it — I can see it on their face when I walk in."
Vanasse and the Traitors Canada production really take the setup of the show to the next level with the host's impressive, extravagant and highly-themed outfits. As Vanasse explained, they also use what happens at the manor to inform her look and dialogue.
"Something happened during the day between the guests and oh no, I need to be more severe tonight. So let's go for this look," she said. "It's just adding so much to the tone ... and it's so rare that creatives have that opportunity. ... It's really extravagant this year."
'There are so many ways to play this game'
While international versions of the show, like the U.S. version of Traitors, rely on celebrity guests, like Phaedra Parks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine, Chris "C.T." Tamburello from The Challenge and The Real World franchises, and Below Deck alum Kate Chastain, Canada is a bit different. While some Canadian contestants have been on other reality shows or are social media personalities, others have occupations like being a teacher, or a former police officer.
"I think as viewers it's great to see that, because you can really picture yourself maybe even more. You can associate with their trajectory in the show even more," Vanasse said. "I think that even for the celebrities who take part in the show, they forget, most of them, about that persona that they have. I feel like the emotions really take over."
"Whether you're a Faithful or a Traitor, there are so many ways to play this game. So depending on the experience and the professional experience you have, and your life in general, that brings something different to the table. So the more diverse the cast is, I think the more interesting the game becomes."
In terms of whether the job of being a Traitor or a Faithful is more difficult, they both have their own challenges, but Vanasse highlighted that Faithfuls, in particular, lack control in the game.
"If you're Faithful you're scared. You think you might die every night," Vanasse said. "From what I'm hearing from them also, it's just that you have no control over the game."
"I'm really amazed by how Faithfuls could play this game, because I find it really hard. If they're too vocal, they could be killed because they're too dangerous, and they see through lies too. So you have to play dumb, a little bit, I guess, but if you play too dumb, you're not interesting, so they get rid of you anyway."
In terms of what continues to make the Traitors franchise as a whole, including Traitors Canada, a success, Vanasse stressed that it's a show that quickly puts you in the position of being an "engaged" audience members.
"It challenges your values, your understanding of human behaviour," Vanasse said. "I don't think that you can stay passive as a viewer when you watch that show. You become engaged very quickly."
The 22 players on 'The Traitors Canada' Season 2 are:
Aaron (He/Him)
Hometown: Bayswater, N.S.
Occupation: Security Manager
Aaron is considered a "jack of all trades," he worked as a scuba instructor, worked in corrections, created a brand management firm with his wife and was an online marketing professional. The couple is also embracing a "free schooling" approach for their son. Aaron is currently a security manager at a university, started an MBA program and is launching his next venture, which is described as something that will "revolutionize how users interact with the stock market."
Cedric (He/Him)
Hometown: Montréal
Occupation: Comedian/The Amazing Race Canada (Season 8)
Born in Jamaica and raised in Montréal, Cedric has performed across Canada for over two decades. He was also a finalist in the Great Canadian Laugh Off and has been featured in the Halifax Comedy Festival. Off stage, Cedric was an associate producer on the film The Martini Short.
Chris (He/Him)
Hometown: Calgary
Occupation: Wilderness Educator
Chris sees life as an adventure. In 2019, Chris became the first Canadian male to take part in the survival series Naked and Afraid, where he got the nickname "The Lion," after surviving challenges in Mexico, South Africa, and Colombia.
Dillon (He/Him)
Hometown: Toronto
Occupation: Lobbyist
Originally from Chicago, Dillon moved to Canada almost a decade ago to pursue a degree in international studies and political science in Toronto. Dillon has worked with a number of Canadian political leaders, participating in various campaigns and supporting candidates during elections. Dillon is now a lobbyist at one of Canada’s top firms.
Gail (She/Her)
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Occupation: Ex-Pro Wrestler/The Amazing Race Canada (Season 9)
Gail is a retired Hall of Fame professional wrestler, spending about 20 years in the ring. She's won and worn many Championship belts, including being the first woman to win the WWE Women’s Championship and she became the inaugural TNA Women’s Champion. Gail is known for her feud with Awesome Kong in TNA, and her contributions continue as a producer and executive for TNA Wrestling.
Hénoc (He/Him)
Hometown: Toronto
Occupation: Retired Professional Football player
A former linebacker with the Toronto Argonauts, Hénoc has a 12-year career that includes numerous accolades and accomplishments. He continues inspiring many through his work with underserved youth and he's the founder of The Hénoc Muamba Foundation and the Muamba Perfect 10 Youth Football Program. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Mississauga, Ont., Hénoc was recognized as a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant in 2023.
Jasmee (She/Her)
Hometown: Montréal
Occupation: Entrepreneur & Music Artist
Jasmee is a music artist, producer and songwriter. She's an avid traveller and draws inspiration from global cultures. Beyond music, Jasmee is an entrepreneur who's committed to philanthropy, mentoring aspiring artists and entrepreneurs.
Kevin (He/Him)
Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
Occupation: Firefighter / The Bachelorette Canada (Season 1)
Kevin is a 40-year-old firefighter who lives in Burlington, Ont. with his wife and two young sons. Kevin met his wife Astrid on the fifth season of Bachelor in Paradise after joining the first season of The Bachelorette Canada, going on to participate in Season 1 of The Bachelor Winter Games. He also appeared as the bartender on Seasons 1 and 2 of Bachelor in Paradise Canada. Kevin is a Canadian Navy veteran with a war medal from his deployment overseas. In his spare time, he works out, plays hockey, and loves watching sports with his sons.
Kirkland (He/Him)
Hometown: Rosedale, B.C.
Occupation: Cattle Farmer & Horse Boarder/Farming For Love (Season 2)
A proud member of the Cheam First Nation and from a lineage of Indigenous Chiefs, Kirkland is a second generation horse and cattle farmer, and a former rodeo champion. Kirkland found his way into the spotlight on the second season of Farming For Love as the first gay/two-spirit farmer to appear in the series, and the first 2SLGBTQ+ farmer featured on an English-language version of the franchise.
Kyra (She/Her)
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Occupation: Fitness YouTuber
Surrey, B.C., fitness Youtuber Kyra skyrocketed to fame during the early days of the pandemic with "dance workouts." Kyra wants to promote happiness and health, and some of her most popular videos include themed workouts inspired by Disney, Hamilton, and Mamma Mia.
Lauren (She/Her)
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Occupation: Model & Entrepreneur
Lauren is a model and advocate for size inclusivity, and 2SLGBTQ+ representation. Formerly a fashion features editor at Glamor, Lauren became the first queer, plus-size model in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. In 2019, Lauren launched Henning, a luxury brand for women size 12 and above, later acquired by Universal Standard. She’s since transitioned to television, promoting 2SLGBTQ+ visibility on Good Morning America. The American Society of Magazine Editors hailed her as a “multi-media age force for change,” celebrating her dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Laurie (She/Her)
Hometown: Lethbridge, Alta.
Occupation: Kindergarten Teacher
Laurie is an educator with over twenty years of experience. She’s known for her compassion and ability to uplift teachers and mental health advocates, inspiring them to "revolutionize their practice through relationships." She's also the co-author of Teachers These Days, with Dr. Jody Carrington.
Mary Jo (She/Her)
Hometown: Los Angeles
Occupation: Author & Podcast Host
An award-winning TV host, best-selling author, and trained chef, Mary Jo has cooked her way through 800 episodes of lifestyle programming in Canada and the U.S. She was the subject of tabloid fodder for two decades due to a high-profile divorce from Dean McDermott, but has since started the podcast "Senior Bitches," focused on "women over the age of 55 who are changing the landscape around conventional aging."
Melinda (He/Him out of drag; no preference in drag)
Hometown: Edmonton
Occupation: Drag Performer/Canada's Drag Race (Season 4)
A drag performer from Edmonton, Melinda was one of 11 queens chosen for Season 4 of Canada's Drag Race. Melinda might be best known for having a meltdown on camera and then turning around to win the Snatch Game challenge by impersonating Filipino boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao, a week later.
Michael (He/Him)
Hometown: Windsor, Ont.
Occupation: Paranormal Enthusiast
A 52-year-old logistics dispatcher from Windsor, Ont., Michael has a varied background. He previously pursued a career as a professional wrestler, competing in the WWE and WCW in the 90s. Now he's a "co-ghost host" on The Paranormal Voice, a digital series exploring the supernatural.
Mike (He/Him)
Hometown: Langley, B.C.
Occupation: True Crime Podcast Host & Author
Originally from Bridgewater, N.S., now living in Langley, B.C., Mike’s lifelong interest in true crime led him to create the "Dark Poutine" podcast in 2017. He's written a bestselling true-crime collection, "Murder, Madness and Mayhem." Mike is also a co-host of the podcast "Supernatural Circumstances" with Morgan Knudsen and has appeared as a co-host on the radio show "The House of Mystery," which airs nightly in Los Angeles and broadcasts along the West Coast of the U.S. and Canada.
Neda (She/Her)
Hometown: Paris, France
Occupation: Personal Stylist/Big Brother Canada (Seasons 2 & 5)
Born in Iran, raised in Vancouver, Neda now lives in Paris where she's established herself as a personal stylist. Outside of fashion, Neda is known for being on two seasons of Big Brother Canada.
Nichelle (She/Her)
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
Occupation: Former Police Officer
Nichelle overcame childhood trauma by finding strength in kickboxing and boxing, where she competed for over 20 years. Her determination to protect herself and others led to a 15-year career in policing. She also founded OTC Toronto, a fitness studio and online platform, pivoting to becoming a co-owner of 416 Tactical Supply, specializing in tactical gear. Nichelle is also an actor, on-air personality, and influencer with 1.1 million TikTok followers.
Nick (He/Him)
Hometown: Ottawa
Occupation: YouTuber
Nick is a Parkour YouTuber who has been making extreme videos for seven years. His parkour skills have taken him to international competitions and allowed him to perform for audiences at fairs and exhibitions throughout Ontario. Nick pursued a joint honours degree in computer science and mathematics, but ultimately decided to follow his passion to stunt school.
Pakman (He/Him)
Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Occupation: Content Creator
A Pakistani Canadian who lost his job during the pandemic, Pakman became a full-time content creator, spending all his savings to build a PC to stream. In less than three years he's amassed over 1.4 million TikTok followers and ranks in the Top 80 of all Twitch subscriptions.
Rabecca (She/Her/They)
Hometown: St John’s, Nfld.
Occupation: Cheerleader
Rabecca spends her days finding ways to express her creativity, from singing to writing music, being behind the lens of a camera at local concerts and events, and in the cheerleading gym. She loves to go on adventures with her friends or her two pups, Jax and Tyson.
Tranna (She/Her)
Hometown: Montréal
Occupation: Comedian & Writer/Big Brother Célébrités (Season 2)
Tranna is a comedian, writer, singer, producer, and podcaster. She has performed at Just for Laughs in both English and French, and was named one of New Faces Canada in 2019. Recognized by Fashion Magazine as a queen of Canadian comedy, Tranna made headlines on Quebec’s Big Brother Célébrités in 2022. She co-hosted CBC Podcasts’ "Chosen Family" and now hosts "Les Divas," interviewing Québec’s top female icons.