Parvati Shallow Shares How Discovery on ‘The Traitors’ Prompted Her Coming Out, originally published by Parade. Each coming out journey is unique for members of the LGBTQ+ community. For Parvati Shallow, it was a simple dropdown menu.
The Survivor icon recently joined the “The Pride Has Spoken” podcast on the “Rob Has a Podcast” network, which focuses on interviews with LGBTQ+ CBS reality show alumni. During the conversation, she discussed the events that led to her realization about her sexuality and the subsequent announcement that surprised many on New Year’s Eve in 2023. Her return to reality TV on Season 2 of The Traitors played a significant role in this realization.
“When I was on Traitors, just before the show aired, they sent me a PR form to tailor marketing materials. There was a question asking about my LGBTQ+ status, with options ‘ally,’ ‘none of the above,’ and more. I initially selected ‘ally,’ and Mae [Martin] pointed out that I wasn’t,” Shallow recounted.
Mae Martin, Shallow’s partner since March 2023, played a crucial role in her self-discovery. Shallow expressed her excitement about embracing her queerness and vowed never to hide it again. Since coming out, she has experienced a renaissance in her on-screen career, making appearances on shows like Deal or No Deal Island and joining the all-star cast of Australian Survivor: Australia v. the World. Additionally, she is set to release a memoir titled Nice Girls Don’t Win: How I Burned It All Down to Claim My Power on July 8.
Reflecting on how her new identity has influenced her reality TV approach, Shallow shared, “It allows me more versatility and intrigues people to understand me better. Despite being recognized as a strong competitor, my queerness adds a layer of complexity that keeps people curious and engaged. It’s like fighting a shadow; they can’t contain me or put me in a box.”
Although likened to a shadow, Shallow’s star shines brighter than ever, all thanks to a pivotal dropdown question from the past.
Parvati Shallow describes ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ as the pinnacle of her reality TV career in an exclusive interview. Shallow discusses how ‘The Traitors’ influenced her decision to come out. Originally featured on Parade on June 29, 2025.
