Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Turn “The Traitors” Into a Showcase of Friendship and Fun

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (ET) — As new episodes of Season 4 of The Traitors roll out during the Winter Games, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski have emerged as standout personalities, winning over viewers with charm, candor, and a friendship that shines brighter than any castle intrigue.

A Reality Game Suited to Showmen

The Traitors thrives on misdirection, midnight “murders,” and round-table banishments, yet Weir, 41, and Lipinski, 43, have carved out a different lane. Rather than leaning into ruthless tactics, the two former Olympians-turned-analysts have become fan favorites for their sweetness, silliness, and a disarming brand of sportsmanship. In a field stacked with savvy reality veterans, their most potent weapon has been empathy.

That approach has stood out in a game designed to reward deceit. Observers have noted how brief moments of kindness—comforting a rattled teammate, exchanging a reassuring glance—can eclipse louder theatrics. It’s a risky strategy in a format that often punishes the gentle, but it has earned them affection and airtime as the season deepens.

A Pact to Play Apart—Together

The pair entered the Scottish castle with a plan: ally in secret, act like strangers in public. To pull it off, they built a covert code. “We were afraid to be too close to each other too often, or even make eye contact too often, in case it made us suspect,” Johnny Weir said. “It was so strange being in the same room but not holding hands.”

They relied on barely-there cues to share intel. “We had many moments we stole away together, though, that no one saw,” Tara Lipinski said. “To quickly speak and plot or sneak in a hug. We also had eye movements we would do at the round table to communicate.” Weir added that they’d sometimes brush fingers in hallways and even trade coded phrases drawn from figure skating to gossip about gameplay without tipping off rivals.

Chemistry Years in the Making

Their on-screen magic was forged long before the castle—dating back to preparations for their first joint Olympic broadcast assignment in 2014. They still remember arriving with the same designer handbag and realizing their sensibilities aligned. From there, the friendship became a working partnership and, eventually, a cultural fixture of big-event coverage.

That closeness translates into a seemingly telepathic shorthand. “We know each other so well that a tap of the hand or a facial expression is quickly understood,” Lipinski said. “At this point, we are telepathic!” The duo’s bond even extends beyond the broadcast booth; they maintain a joint presence on social media and often appear in coordinated, high-fashion ensembles—visual signatures they’ve adapted seamlessly for castle life.

A Softer Tone in a Cutthroat Castle

While The Traitors rewards scheming, the skaters’ approach has highlighted another path to prime-time impact. Analyst Gibson Johns noted that in a setting where backstabbing typically dominates, genuine emotion and camaraderie can resonate more strongly. For fans of johnny weir and Lipinski, the pair’s affectionate banter and open-hearted reactions offer a refreshing counterweight to the show’s darker beats.

That balance—being in on the game while refusing to lose their gentleness—has created some of the season’s most replayable moments. Their fashion-forward looks, expressive faces, and whispered asides play like a real-time commentary track, turning the castle’s paranoia into a stage for personality.

Winter Games Synergy, Prime-Time Payoff

Timing has helped. With the Winter Games captivating audiences this month, their presence on The Traitors doubles as a reunion tour for viewers who associate the pair with skating’s biggest stages. Their reputation from years of marquee-event coverage set expectations for flair and frankness; the castle simply gave them a different arena.

Industry insiders have pointed out that pairing their Winter Games visibility with a hit reality format amounts to a master class in cross-event momentum. On one screen, the duo dissect edge quality and jump rotations; on the other, they parse motives and micro-expressions. In both settings, the through line is unmistakable: quick wit, choreographed style, and a partnership built on trust.

What’s Next in Season Four

As Season 4 continues through February, the faithfuls-versus-traitors chess match tightens. Whether their secret signals can keep the spotlight off them—or draw it at the worst possible moment—remains to be seen. Their gameplay has not always been textbook, but their presence has become essential viewing. If the finale is decided by social capital as much as suspicion, the friends who made kindness cool may skate further than their early doubters imagined.

Win or lose, Weir and Lipinski have already reframed what success can look like on The Traitors: a showcase for loyalty, laughter, and a little glitter—proof that in a castle full of shadows, the brightest act can still steal the show.