The unlikely (however super-hot) redemption of a reality TV villain

The unlikely (however super-hot) redemption of a reality TV villain

It’s superb what a change of surroundings can do for a particular person’s picture. If you’re a Traitors fan who just met Rob Rausch in Alan Cumming’s fortress, you’d be forgiven for considering he’s a buff, erudite king. I imply, take a look at him. He’s acquired those harmless blue eyes and those cool snake tattoos, and he’s also manner smarter than he lets on. Put all of it together, and also you’ve acquired your self a bona fide TV heartthrob.

If requested to sum up Rausch’s Traitors persona, I’d say he’s acquired the vitality of every barely tipsy hetero man who’s ever jumped to the touch a road signal or tall department with their fingertips: disarming, charming and a little foolish. But Love Island followers know there’s manner more to him than meets the eye – and some of what lies beneath the unassuming floor isn’t so cute.

Rausch first appeared as a bombshell on Love Island USA Season 5. He lasted only 5 days however, just like on Traitors, his “hot snake guy” persona made an impression. Naturally, producers introduced him again for Season 6, and that’s the place we actually acquired to know who he’s. To put it bluntly, he was variety of a cad. He hopped from connection to connection, and more often than not, his interactions with women in the villa didn’t really feel real. Case in point: the time he dumped Leah Kateb for incoming bombshell Andrea Carmona, all while making a big present of crying, protecting his face with a towel and insisting that Leah contemplate his emotions. After a number of minutes of dramatic waterworks, Rausch said he “needed a minute” and jumped into the pool.

Rausch and Andrea Carmona on Love Island Season 6. (Getty Images)

Later on, when the women of the home ousted Carmona, Rausch rushed to say he’d go away along with her. Shockingly, he backed out of that plan. “I wish I wouldn’t have said it,” he later told Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper, “but in that moment, that’s what I was doing. I was set on leaving.” Sure, Jan.

All of this brings us again to Rausch’s latest reality TV gig in Scotland, the place he’s been completely crushing it as a Traitor. Yes, a couple of people have began him sideways (and, if his fellow Traitor Candiace Dillard Bassett has her manner, he’ll soon be going house) however, for most of the game, he’s flown utterly under the radar. Love Island followers would possibly say that manipulation is in his DNA, however Rausch’s profitable rebrand also speaks to The Traitors’ basic knack for picture rehab. See Tom Sandoval, Phaedra Parks, Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Peter Weber, all of whom got here into Traitors with controversial histories and left wanting shinier than before.

Still, what’s it about Rob Rausch that’s acquired Traitors followers so besotted? After some deep research, I’ve compiled a little checklist.

Rausch is a standout on The Traitors Season 4. (Getty Images)

He’s sizzling

It must be said: America loves stunning people. And Rausch, together with his toned bod, piercing eyes and wavy brown hair, appears to be like like he was designed in a lab to look on an Abercrombie & Fitch purchasing bag. Good work if you may get it!

He loves his overalls

As Zoolander as soon as taught us, being actually, actually, ridiculously handsome definitely has its advantages. But to some, it could actually also be a little intimidating or even off-putting. This is the place Rob’s unconventional type selections turn out to be useful. Yes, he’s acquired the face of a Greek god, however he also likes to stroll round in overalls with no shirt (a custom also seen on his Love Island seasons). He wears T-shirts that say issues like “Wild Desert Cowboy.” And, as we noticed on Love Island, he also covets a bucket hat.

Like many of his selections on reality tv, Rob’s type seems like a bit of a calculation: country-boy appeal with modern twists like floral crop tops thrown in for good measure. If this actually is (as I think) a branding exercise, superstar stylists ought to be taking notes.

He’s acquired good vocabulary and isn’t afraid to make use of it

We love an articulate king. One of the largest drags early on this season was Michael Rapaport, who never appeared to cease harassing everybody else in the home. But when Rapaport latched onto former Bachelor Colton Underwood with the nickname “Conniving, Commiserating Colton” at a fateful roundtable, Rausch dealt him a deadly blow.

“Commiserating means to feel sorry for someone,” Rausch interrupted. With an exasperated grin, he added, “I’m sorry, that’s driving me nuts.” It was the vocab lesson heard round the world. Anyone who was not already on the Rob practice before rapidly climbed aboard, and for good motive. It was the final nail in Rapaport’s coffin – affirmation that the whole home was completely sick of him. He went house that night time.

He loves snakes

Those snake tattoos aren’t just for chatting women up at the bar (although they in all probability don’t harm). Rausch’s Instagram is loaded with movies of his snake-hunting expeditions. Slither on over and take a look.

Born and raised in Alabama, Rausch likes to spend his time open air, and it appears he isn’t afraid of a little venom. He even requested Lisa Rinna to return snake looking with him, although I’m guessing that ain’t occurring anytime soon.

He’s acquired Southern appeal

Despite his participant persona on Love Island, half of Rausch’s appeal is his (cow)boyish nature. See, Exhibit A: a guided tour of his trailer, which incorporates such traditional visuals as Rausch throwing rocks at a bell, patting his cows on the head and choosing up sheets of metallic to see if there are snakes beneath.

And yet, despite hailing from Sweet Home Alabama, Rausch’s accent is often barely detectable – that is, so long as he’s not offended. Like so many Southerners, his drawl will get stronger when he’s feeling heated. In fact, you might need seen it last week when Candiace Dillard Bassett wrote his title on her placard at the roundtable. Some viewers had been perplexed however, as one (presumably Southern) TikTook commenter aptly put it, “I, too, speak cornbread when I’m irritated.”

He’s loyal (nicely, variety of)

I do know, I do know. Love Island USA followers are in all probability rolling over laughing at this one, together with Lisa Rinna. But – in sure conditions and with sure people – it appears Rob may be a true good friend. At least, for those who’re a man.

Just take a look at how Rausch bonded with comic and actor Ron Funches, who discovered himself a little remoted in the home as forged members like Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley checked out him askance. He also solid a friendship with Underwood and refused to vote against him at the roundtable.

Rausch refused to vote out Ron Funches (center). (Getty Images)

Speaking with Access Hollywood, Funches confirmed that the bromance with Rausch felt real. In his view, Rausch was “a man who saw another guy who was being misjudged, and who felt that he could relate to him and knew what it was like to be introverted and knew what it was like to be misunderstood.” I’m sorry, one minute – there’s just one thing in my eye …

He’s strategic

There’s a lot more to Rausch than attractiveness and a unusual fascination with snakes. He’s also made some critically sensible strikes in this game. From choosing intelligent homicide targets that go away no hint, to utilizing the fortress’s chessboard as a ruse to plan a homicide in entrance of everybody, he has revealed himself to be a grasp of intrigue.

Right now, however, the query is whether or not Rausch can hold his streak going. Last week was a big one, as he efficiently secured a dagger that ensures him a second vote at any single roundtable he chooses. At the same time, his option to throw his fellow Traitor Rinna under the bus (again) didn’t sit nicely together with his other teammate, Bassett, who’s now prepared to chop him out.

Both Rausch and Bassett have constructed strong connections in the fortress, and, at this point, each have left a few people feeling suspicious. It’s anybody’s game, nevertheless it’s exhausting to think about they’ll each make it out of that turret alive.

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