‘People Called Me A Baby.’ Michael Rapaport Got Real About His Viral (Read: Weird) Eating And Drinking Habits On The Traitors

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Many consider The Traitors to be one of the most captivating reality shows currently available, proven by its Emmy win and dedicated fanbase on Peacock. Season 4 has already given us numerous memorable moments, like the online reaction to Michael Rapaport’s eating and drinking habits in Alan Cumming’s castle. Now, Rapaport is explaining his behavior at mealtimes.

The announcement of the cast for Season 4 of The Traitors received some criticism, particularly regarding the inclusion of Rapaport. He certainly made a splash during filming, including some debatable remarks about Colton Underwood. However, one of the most talked-about aspects of his time on the show was the unusual way his eating and drinking habits were presented. Now, the actor is speaking out about it.

Why Michael Rapaport Holds Drinking Glasses With Both Hands

Rapaport became a popular topic online during Season 4 of The Traitors due to his direct and sometimes aggressive gameplay, and also because viewers noticed his unusual eating habits early on. On his podcast, I Am Rapaport, the 55-year-old, who is a big fan of Housewives, finally explained why he was holding his water glass with both hands during breakfast. He shared the honest reason, saying:

Let me explain why I sometimes drink water with both hands. It started during a breakfast scene – I can’t remember which episode – where I accidentally spilled some water on my shirt. After that, I started holding the cup with both hands to avoid another spill. People joke that it makes me look like a toddler or a baby, but that’s the reason!

It might not seem like a major problem to spill water, especially given how messy the cast of The Traitors gets while completing challenges. However, Rapaport didn’t want to be stuck wearing a wet shirt all day during filming for Season 4. The game’s rules meant he didn’t have any spare clothes to change into, as he explained:

They didn’t have straws, and what I thought was just a shirt was actually a costume from a TV show. Everything the actors wear is carefully chosen and approved by the show’s costume department. I even started using both hands to hold my drink, so I wouldn’t risk getting anything on the costume again.

On the set of The Traitors, the cast usually wears plaid clothing, but everything they wear has to be checked by the show’s wardrobe department. This meant that when Alan Rapaport accidentally spilled something on his clothes at breakfast, he couldn’t just quickly change. That’s why, in a now-famous moment from the latest season, he started holding his glasses with both hands.

You can watch The Traitors exclusively on Peacock, with plans starting at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. For an ad-free experience and the ability to download shows for offline viewing, consider upgrading to Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus. See the deal here.

Keir Gilchrist, known for his role in the Netflix series Atypical, has responded to jokes about his unusual drinking style on The Traitors. He explained on a podcast why he used both hands to drink, but viewers are still curious about his unique way of eating on the show.

What Michael Rapaport Said About His Viral Eating Style

Throughout several episodes of The Traitors, viewers noticed Michael Rapaport eating in a rather unusual manner. He was filmed tilting his plate and practically scooping food into his mouth. This quickly became a popular topic online, and Rapaport later confessed on a podcast that he can be a bit messy – a “gavone,” as he described it – when he eats.

Let’s talk about how I eat. I’m not going to pretend I have perfect table manners! You probably saw it in episodes four and five, and honestly, I think it’s hilarious. It’s just how I really am. Sometimes I eat like a total animal – messy and wild. But I don’t always eat like that.

If you’re not familiar with the term – or haven’t seen the show The Sopranos – “gavone” is an Italian-American slang word for someone who eats a lot. Rapaport readily admitted his popular videos of him eating were simply about enjoying food and not being afraid to make a mess. He appears to have no regrets about his eating style, and later stated:

Looking back, I think every moment from my time on The Traitors has become a memorable reality TV moment, including that famous one. And I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

I have to say, even though Michael Rapaport didn’t win The Traitors, or even get very far, he definitely stood out! It seems like he was just there to have fun and make some good TV, and honestly, I loved it.

You can watch new episodes of The Traitors on Peacock every Thursday as part of the 2026 season. Even though Rapaport was eliminated, I expect he’ll continue to share his thoughts on the show, and he’ll likely be a featured guest when the reunion episode airs.

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2026-01-20 19:42