Alan Cumming

**Alan Cumming** is the host of *The Traitors (US)*. He is known among the fanbase for putting on an exaggerated Scottish accent, and donning his own personal wardrobe of colourful outfits while hosting the show.

## Profile

*Retrieved from Peacock:*

Alan Cumming is beyond eclectic. His most recent projects include creating a dance theatre piece about the Scottish bard Robert Burns, lip-synching the protagonist in a documentary, directing a podcast series about a sperm bank heist, playing a gangster opposite Liam Neason in a Neil Jordan film, curating a cabaret festival in Australia and recording a duet with a Gaelic rapper. Perhaps not surprisingly, Time Magazine called him one of the three most fun people in show business (the others were Cher and Stanley Tucci!)

Thirty years ago his *Hamlet* stormed the West End and he was hailed as ‘an actor knocking at the door of greatness’. A quarter of a century ago he was a sensation as *Cabaret*’s Master of Ceremonies in a production that forever changed the Broadway landscape. A decade ago his visceral, virtually one man *Macbeth* was a stunning, transatlantic coup de theatre.

His screen work ranges from art house to blockbuster, cult to mainstream, but his performances are always indelible and some immortal: Mr Floop in *Spy Kids*, Eli in *The Good Wife*, Nightcrawler in *X2: X Men United*, Sebastian in *The High Life*, ‘O’ in *Sex and the City*, Boris in *Goldeneye*, King James in *Doctor Who*, Sandy Frink in *Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion*, Mayor Menlove in *Schmigadoon* and himself on *Broad City*.

He is the author of six books including a New York Times #1 bestselling memoir, performs in concert regularly in halls around the world and co-owns his own, eponymous cabaret bar *Club Cumming*, a home for ‘all ages, all genders, all colours, all sexualities, where kindness is all and anything could happen!’.

## *The Traitors* Career

Alan's casting was first announced on April 29, 2022. This is his first time hosting a reality TV competition - he became interested after the producers sent him copies of the original Dutch series for viewing. He describes his on-screen persona for the show as a heightened and theatrical version of himself, like a James Bond villain.

Alan is also noted for the array of eye-catching outfits his sports on the show, described as Sherlock Holmes mixed with a James Bond villain, as well as Vivienne Westwood meets Vincent Price. Many of the outfits he wore on show came from his personal collection, complimented by additional colourful accessories provided by production to make his look more eye-catching.

## Trivia

* Alan revealed that he was excited over which contestant would get Murdered every night, and could not sleep until he received confirmation.
* He also noted that Cirie Fields from *Season 1* had the best poker face he'd ever seen.
* On *Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen*, he proclaimed Quentin Jiles from the same season as the worst player, calling him a 'dope'.
* When asked who he would like to see on a second season, Alan mentioned comedian Randy Rainbow.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-traitors
2. ↑ https://deadline.com/2022/04/alan-cumming-host-psychological-competition-series-the-traitors-peacock-1235012369
3. ↑ https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/alan-cumming-the-traitors-aarp-grownup-awards-1235502559
4. ↑ https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/alan-cumming-traitors-interview-rcna68840
5. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/style/the-traitors-alan-cumming.html
6. ↑ https://people.com/style/alan-cumming-breaks-down-his-wardrobe-on-the-traitors
7. ↑ https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/alan-cumming-traitors-interview-rcna68840
8. ↑ https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-traitors-host-alan-cumming-reveals-worst-player-such-dope.html
9. ↑ https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/alan-cumming-reacts-to-the-traitors-success-and-who-he-wants-for-season-2-exclusive

 Filming locations