Krishel Stause Thinks Tom Sandoval's Betrayal Game Was 'Terrible'

We Krishel Stause as a potential traitor was just one of many mistakes Tom Sandoval made during filming in the 3rd season.

“I thought it was funny,” Krishel, 43, said exclusively Us Weekly on Sandoval's original approach. “I just felt like all the people and all the minds around this table, do we really think that Sandoval solved the puzzle in 0.5 seconds after leaving the room? No.”

Krischel noted that Sandoval's decision name him right away 'worked' for her, adding: 'I thought he was so loud and so wrong. It really felt like what he was saying (Traitor), we probably know it isn't. So I think it helped in my case, to be honest.

During the three-episode premiere, Sandoval, 42, got off to a rocky start when he accused Krischel of not being a believer, despite having no evidence to support his theory. The pair battled it out at the first eviction roundtable that Krishel attended accused Sandoval of calling her names just because she is close with his ex-girlfriend Ariana Maddix.

“He's terrible (at playing the game). Honestly, he had no other reason to say my name,” she said. “He said it so bluntly that he knew I was a traitor. Of course he's going to be like, 'Oh, I'm really just playing a game.'” It felt personal to me, and you probably can't change your mind right now.

Krishel told We she “definitely” didn’t ask Ariana, 39, for advice beforehand on how to deal with Sandoval. joining the hit Peacock series. Before he was cast as a Season 3 contestant, Sandoval received a lot of backlash after his March 2023 split from Ariana due to their affair. Vanderpump Rules costar Rachel “Rachel” Lewis.

After Sandoval and Ariana's split made headlines, Krischel weighed in via X alongside a photo of her and Ariana on the red carpet: “I love when we can all agree on something.”

Rumors of a feud between Sandoval and Krishel began dating in November 2024, when she shared a series of promotional photos of all of her contestants except Sandoval. The Sunset for sale star didn't address the omission at the time, but is now revealing his strategy going to the show.

“It was to make friends and land. You don't even want to edit that much at first. My name was spoken at the very first round table. I went into the game with the best of intentions and had to abandon that game plan,” she recalled. “I had to do everything I could, which was to really stand up for myself and make sure people felt like I could be trusted.”

Krishel continued, “But if you do too good a job, you'll be ready for murder. So I knew I had to get the shield and then I had to defend myself at the round table. At that point (I was named after Sandoval) my game plan was executed.

The reality star managed to get away is banished or killed — in the first two rounds, but we have to see how long she lasted as a believer Traitors.

“This season is crazy. Every episode will leave you on the edge of your seat because in the middle of filming I'm just thinking, “Wow, how are they going to edit this?” Because even at the round tables you were on the edge of your seat the whole time,” she teased. “I think the first three episodes were so entertaining. Even if I take myself out of it, I'm such a fan of the show. It's one of those situations where I'm just going to say buckle up because you're in for a very bumpy and very entertaining ride.

New series Traitors will be released on Peacock Thursdays until March 6.

With a report from Christina Garibaldi