Olympic medalists Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir are no strangers to high-stakes competition, but their latest challenge isn’t on the ice—it’s inside the walls of a Scottish castle, competing on the latest season of The Traitors. In a game built on deception, alliances, and psychological maneuvering, the figure skating duo has taken an unexpected approach that’s turning heads both on-screen and off.
Known to millions for their insightful (and often hilarious) commentary on figure skating for NBC, Lipinski and Weir have also found success as podcast hosts with their show Tara & Johnny. But in the cutthroat world of reality television, their established camaraderie could easily have made them targets. Instead, the pair made a bold decision: keep their longstanding friendship a secret from their fellow contestants.
“We noticed that one of the things that could have hindered us was a very clear alliance. The other contestants weren’t necessarily in our demographic, so we didn’t know if they knew who we were and how close we were. So we played it cool,” Johnny Weir explained in a recent interview, as reported by Parade. Both skaters are fans of The Traitors and, drawing from previous seasons, recognized that obvious partnerships rarely last long in the game. Their solution? Blend in, stay under the radar, and avoid drawing suspicion.
Tara Lipinski echoed Weir’s thoughts, emphasizing the need for discretion: “We wanted to keep our friendship on the low down for as long as possible.” The strategy, while simple in theory, has proven to be anything but easy in practice. “We worked hard at keeping our friendship under wraps. If there were moments we could steal time together when nobody was there, we would do it, but it was hard!” Lipinski admitted, according to Ok!.
The tension of maintaining their secret came to a head in episode six, when a seemingly innocent hug nearly gave them away. “In episode 6, we gave each other a hug, and Rob [Rausch] walked by, and you just can’t take any chances!” Lipinski recounted. Despite the close call, their careful planning has kept them in the game through episode eight, a testament to both their tactical acumen and their ability to adapt to unfamiliar territory.
For Lipinski and Weir, the experience has been as thrilling as it is stressful. “It was the coolest thing. I mean, we have PTSD from being in that Scottish castle together!” Lipinski joked, reflecting on the surreal environment of the show’s filming location. “But we went through a unique experience—like everyone else in that castle went there alone, and we got to go there knowing that our best friend was there. I don’t think I would have done it without him.”
The duo’s unfamiliarity with the rest of the cast added another layer of intrigue. Tara admitted to recognizing fellow contestant Mark Ballas, while Johnny confessed he only knew Lisa Rinna by face, not by reputation. This lack of prior connections may have helped them avoid early scrutiny, but it also meant they had to navigate the game’s social dynamics with extra care.
As for their public personas, both are quick to point out that they’re not typical reality TV stars. “Johnny and I are not reality stars; we do not have any type of persona that we put on. We are athletes and analysts,” Lipinski emphasized. “I think it was important for me to play the game even though it’s crazy what they are asking you to do in some of these situations! But I’m a competitor and I love a game.”
Their approach—balancing active participation in conversations while remaining discreet—has required a delicate touch. “So far, I am really proud of my strategy and sort of staying under the radar. I think there’s a really fine balance to that because if you are too under the radar, people are suspicious. There’s this fine balance of being part of the conversations and being part of it in a way that you can balance it out without throwing out names,” Lipinski explained, as quoted by Ok!.
For fans of both figure skating and reality TV, the duo’s journey on The Traitors is a fascinating study in adaptation. Used to the rigor and discipline of Olympic competition, Lipinski and Weir have had to recalibrate their instincts for a game where trust is fleeting and alliances are fragile. Their willingness to embrace the psychological challenges of the show—while keeping their friendship hidden—has made them stand out in a crowded field of contestants.
As the competition intensifies, the question remains: will their secret alliance continue to shield them from elimination, or will suspicion eventually catch up to them? For now, both remain active in the game, their fate hanging in the balance as new episodes unfold.
Viewers have been quick to weigh in on social media, with many expressing admiration for the pair’s cunning and composure. Some fans have speculated that their background in high-pressure environments gives them a unique edge, while others wonder if their strategy will hold up as the remaining players grow more desperate to uncover hidden relationships.
Regardless of the outcome, Lipinski and Weir’s stint on The Traitors has already expanded their public personas, showcasing a different side of two athletes known primarily for their ice-bound achievements and sharp-witted Olympic commentary. Their ability to adapt, strategize, and—perhaps most importantly—keep a straight face under pressure has made them early favorites among viewers and critics alike.
With several episodes still to air, all eyes are on the skating duo as they continue to navigate the treacherous waters of reality TV. Will their stealthy approach carry them to the finale, or will a single misstep expose their secret and unravel their carefully constructed game? Only time—and perhaps a few more close calls—will tell.
As of this week, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir remain very much in the running, their friendship still hidden from the rest of the cast. For now, their calculated gameplay and mutual trust are holding strong, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next twist in their remarkable journey through The Traitors.