Donna Kelce makes 'The Traitors' debut. What was her fate in the game? ~ GEAR JRNL

Warning: Major spoilers for the first three episodes of "The Traitors" Season 4 are ahead.

A big reputation is a dangerous thing to have on "The Traitors," andDonna Kelceentered the Scottish castle with all eyes on her.

The celebrity mother ofJasonandTravis Kelcestood out among 23 icons across the Hollywood, sports and reality TV industry in the Season 4 premiere, which aired Thursday, Jan. 8. Her parenting of the football legends put her in the good graces of retired former NFL playerColton Underwoodand "Love Island" breakout Rob Rausch, who said he genuinely loves her.

"I like her, I like her a lot, I'm not joking," Rausch, 27, quipped in a confessional. "Is she married?"

However, the cast's perception of her was largely defined by her son Travis's fiancée. While it's unclear whetherTaylor Swiftwatches Peacock's reality-murder-mystery series, the pop star and her massive fan base undoubtedly had an impact on its newest season.

Olympic figure skaterJohnny Weirrefers to the Kelce matriarch, 72, as "Taylor Swift's soon-to-be mother-in-law," and singer Eric Nam called her "America's mother." At another point, "Real Housewives of New York City"Dorinda Medleyseemingly deflected away from assuming Kelce was a traitor out of fear of upsetting the Grammy-winner's fan base.

"She's actually been talkative to me, and quite frankly, the Swiftie thing scares me," Medley said in a conversation on the show before breaking into laughter.

Here's how America's mother fared in the castle.

Is Donna Kelce a 'traitor'?

Yes, Donna Kelce was, in fact, the "secret traitor." She has the honor of being the first and only player to fulfill the unique title in the U.S. show. Under the special role, she donned a vibrant red cloak and privately wrote a shortlist of names eligible for "murder."

Pop star Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Aug. 26, 2025. The couple began dating in the summer of 2023. Look back at their time together, including here, at the game between Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers during the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Kelce react after the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

(Top Row L-R) Swift and Travis Kelce attend the men's final match between Italy's Jannik Sinner and USA's Taylor Fritz on day fourteen of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on Sept. 8, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Kelce watch game one of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 14, 2024 in Bronx, N.Y.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift watches the action during the first half between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Donna Kelce arrive prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Kelce celebrates with Swift after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift reacts after Kelce (not pictured) scores a touchdown against the Bills during an AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Jerrod Carmichael watch the 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 21, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift reacts during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Lyndsay Bell, from left, Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes react in a suite during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Brittany Mahomes cheer during the second half of the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 22, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Donna Kelce look on before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 12, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Donna Kelce look on before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and actor Blake Lively cheer prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift cheers prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift reacts while sitting next to Donna Kelce watching the Kansas City Chiefs play the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium on Sep 24, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=

Swift and Kelce (87) react after the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged! See the couple's love story in photos

Pop star Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelceannounced their engagement on Aug. 26, 2025. The couple began dating in the summer of 2023. Look back at their time together, including here, at the game between Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers during the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla.

Then the green-cloaked traitors Lisa Rinna, Candiace Dillard Bassett and Rob Rausch, unaware of who their secret partner was, had to agree on a person from that short list inside the turret.

Kelce's short list led to the "murders" of "Big Brother" winner Ian Terry and "Survivor" favorite Rob Cesternino.

What was Donna Kelce's fate in the game?

Unfortunately, Mama Kelce did not "Long Live" enough to reach the "End Game," as her fate ended in Episode 3.

Despite surviving the first roundtable, where "Real Housewives of Atlanta" starPorsha Williamswas banished, Kelce could not avoid suspicion forever,and her plan to be a "sweet mom on the side" while secretly being a vicious killer ultimately failed.

Both the faithfuls and traitors overcame their fear of Swifties, and Kelce was banished in a nearly unanimous vote at the second round table.

Many predicted her murderous role due to her quiet, at times antisocial demeanor, which Kelce tried to justify, saying she felt star-struck by her fellow castmates. While her time on the season was cut short, Kelce said she was grateful to play the game.

"Playing a traitor was tough, but I gave it my best shot. This has been a dream come true," Kelce said in her exit interview while holding back tears. "These are happy tears that I get to do this at this point in my life. It's just the joy of being in the game."

Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)