Eric Nam faced a major twist on The Traitors when Rob Rausch claimed the $220,800 prize. Despite the betrayal, the K-pop star stayed loyal throughout the game, valuing integrity and his first impression on American audiences, and has since channeled the experience into his new music project.
Why Eric Nam Let Rob Rausch’s Betrayal Slide
Nam opened up to E! News on why he allowed the game go like that. He replied, saying, “I didn’t want my introduction to America to be a conniving, backstabbing liar.” “That was the one thing I was very cognizant about.”
Nam never anticipated Rausch’s final move, but explained why he ultimately didn’t counter it. “At that moment, there was no doubt. I was genuinely floored. There’s a confessional where I was like, ‘Would he do this?’ And I was like, ‘No.’” Off-screen, the two had a genuine rapport, sharing southern roots and mutual respect.
He reflected on his in-game choices: “People are like, ‘Rob played a great game.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, but also, if it wasn’t for me, there’s a world in which he wouldn’t have won.’” Eric knew he could have flipped the outcome, but he chose integrity over personal gain.
Their first post-show conversation was short. “[Rob] DM’d me a few days after, and his literal words were, ‘My fault, G.’ And I opened it and was like, ‘I’m not responding for a minute. I need it a few days.’ And then I said, ‘All good. Ha ha, all good. Where are you?’ And that was it.”
Fans Weigh In on Eric’s Playful Demands
37-year-old Nam has taken the outcome lightly, turning the loss into a playful campaign for a luxury watch, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I need an AP watch or a Rolex or something. I’m gonna campaign for a Rolex from Rob. But yeah, I was like, ‘I’ll take Birkenstocks at this point — like, give me something!’” He joked that Rob hasn’t even bought him a drink yet, coining the hashtag #RolexFromRob for fun.
Fans were quick to weigh in online, with some loving the playful angle, saying, “I love how they turned that betrayal into a shakedown,” while others pointed out the absurdity, comparing it to a fourth-place Olympian asking for a piece of the gold.
One viewer reminded everyone of the show’s premise: “It’s called Traitors, after all, and the backstabbing is the point of the game. The reactions only added to the fun and highlighted Eric’s lighthearted approach to his shocking exit.”
Eric has now channeled his experience into creativity, assembling castmates Ron Funches, Natalie Anderson, Yam Yam Arocho, and Maura Higgins for the music video of his new single, “How the Fire Started,” released on March 3. “We’re all gonna get our revenge because somebody screwed us all over, so we are on a mission to get back at them,” he teased.
