Dylan Efron Rides High on "The Traitors" Finale, Embraces "Miss Guided" Moniker

Dylan Efron, the younger brother of Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron, has emerged as a breakout star on the Peacock series "The Traitors," a reality competition show based on a Dutch format. As one of the four remaining faithful contestants, Dylan has navigated the treacherous waters of deception and suspicion, making it all the way to the highly anticipated finale and reunion, scheduled to air on Thursday at 9 p.m. EST/6 PST.

From the outset, Dylan, 33, captivated viewers, quickly becoming a fan favorite thanks to his charm and undeniable appeal. Producers certainly didn’t shy away from highlighting his physique, and Dylan himself embraced the attention. "I’m all for that," he playfully remarked about his frequent shirtless moments on screen, adding, "If you see my Instagram, I have my shirt off 90% of the time."

Beyond the eye candy, Dylan proved to be a strategic player, adept at fostering genuine connections while remaining fiercely loyal to the "faithful" team. His lifelong dream of competing on a reality show, fueled by years of watching "Survivor" and fantasizing about taking home the million-dollar prize, made him eager to seize the opportunity presented by "The Traitors."

The show, set in a remote Scottish castle, pits contestants against each other in a game of deception and deduction. Some are designated as "traitors," tasked with secretly "murdering" the faithful, while the others must unmask the traitors before they are all eliminated. The last player or players standing win a share of a cash prize that can reach up to $250,000.

This season of "The Traitors" has been filled with dramatic twists and turns, featuring a colorful cast of personalities, including Rob Mariano, the 2011 "Survivor" champion, who was swiftly eliminated as a traitor; Sam Asghari, Britney Spears’ former husband, who proved to be a loyal faithful; and Bob the Drag Queen, the winner of "RuPaul’s Drag Race," who bestowed upon Dylan the memorable moniker "Miss Guided" in an attempt to divert suspicion.

Dylan embraced the nickname, adding it to his Instagram bio and expressing surprise at its impact. "I wasn’t expecting it to be such a moment," he confessed. "But watching it, I was like, ‘Oh, wow! That’s a nickname!’"

Adding another layer of intrigue, Bob the Drag Queen, whose real name is Christopher Caldwell, stirred up controversy during a deliberation when he declared that Zac Efron is "not a good" actor. Dylan revealed that he and Bob have not discussed the comment directly but anticipates it will be addressed during the reunion. He remained diplomatic, characterizing Bob as "just an entertainer" and expressing confidence that the remark was not meant to be malicious.

Dylan shared that Zac found the comment amusing and has been "enjoying" the show. He playfully teased that he is "saving for the reunion what he told me" about Bob’s jab.

The Feb. 27 episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers in suspense as the fate of several players hung in the balance. Traitors Danielle Reyes and Britney Haynes, both veterans of "Big Brother," seized upon Dolores Catania’s ("The Real Housewives of New Jersey") suspicion of faithful Ivar Mountbatten, an extended member of the British royal family. Dylan, Mountbatten, and Gabby Windey ("The Bachelorette") voted to banish Reyes. Reyes and Mountbatten were excused from a tie-breaking vote, where Dylan and Windey reaffirmed their choice to eliminate Reyes, while Catania remained fixated on Mountbatten. The episode concluded before Haynes could reveal her vote, leaving the audience to speculate on the outcome.

Looking ahead to the reunion, Dylan predicts that Danielle Reyes will face the most scrutiny. He criticized her for comparing fellow traitor Carolyn Wiger to Forrest Gump, deeming it "below the belt," and for allegedly swearing on her grandchildren that she was a faithful.

"When you sign up to play that role, you’re going to get a lot of backlash and a lot of people want to put their two cents in," Dylan acknowledged. "But she did it, and she did a great job being the villain."

Dylan attributes his success on "The Traitors" to his ability to play the part of a "naïve rookie" while simultaneously cultivating genuine relationships with his fellow cast members. This approach allowed him to navigate the complex social dynamics of the game and earn the trust of others.

With his newfound reality TV success, Dylan is open to exploring more competition-based shows and continuing to document his global travels for YouTube and television. He’s even considering pursuing acting, a path that previously intimidated him.

"As a kid, I was a little shy to step into those (roles) and said, ‘No, my brother is the actor; I couldn’t act,’" Dylan recalled. "But as I gain more confidence, I think I can do a lot of things, and it’s fun to constantly prove to myself what I can do."

Whether he ultimately emerges victorious on "The Traitors" or not, Dylan Efron has undoubtedly made a lasting impression, proving that he is more than just a famous sibling. With his strategic gameplay, charming personality, and willingness to embrace new challenges, he is poised for a bright future in the entertainment industry. The finale and reunion of "The Traitors" promise to be a thrilling conclusion to this season’s captivating drama, and viewers are eager to see how Dylan’s journey unfolds.