Lead: Lisa Rinna says she believes she was drugged at the Season 4 premiere party for The Traitors on January 8, 2026, according to a TMZ report published February 23, 2026. Sources cited by TMZ say fellow cast member Colton Underwood told Lisa’s team he was with her much of the evening and thought she appeared far more impaired than her alcohol intake would explain. Rinna was reportedly escorted out after a group photo; it is not publicly confirmed whether police or medical personnel were involved.
Key Takeaways
- Incident date: January 8, 2026 — alleged impairment occurred at The Traitors Season 4 premiere party, per TMZ.
- Witness account: Colton Underwood reportedly observed Rinna behaving as if extremely intoxicated and told her team he had been with her for most of the night.
- Immediate action: Sources say Rinna’s team removed her from the event after a group photograph; no public record confirms further medical care.
- Public timeline: TMZ reported the matter on February 23, 2026; Rinna later referenced tensions with Underwood at a book signing in mid–February 2026.
- Reps: Representatives for Lisa Rinna and Colton Underwood had not provided public comment to TMZ as of the report’s publication.
- Context: Rinna and Underwood’s on-screen relationship on The Traitors has been described as volatile; past public allegations involving Underwood and an ex-girlfriend have been raised in coverage of the pair.
Background
The Traitors, a reality competition series on Peacock, returned for Season 4 with a high-profile premiere and associated industry events in early January 2026. Premiere parties for reality shows often gather cast, producers, press and network representatives in informal settings where alcohol is commonly served. That mix increases both social scrutiny and potential safety concerns for guests.
Lisa Rinna, a longtime television personality and author, and Colton Underwood, a former reality contestant, have had a publicly inconsistent relationship on and off camera during and after filming. Coverage of their interactions has included scrutiny of Underwood’s past personal controversies, which resurfaced in some discussion following the party incident; those prior matters remain separate and are characterized in reports as allegations, not legal findings in this context.
Main Event
According to sources cited by TMZ, the episode unfolded at the Season 4 premiere party on January 8, 2026. Colton Underwood reportedly observed that Rinna was unusually impaired and told others he believed she had not consumed enough alcohol to account for her condition. Because Underwood said he was with Rinna for much of the evening, his observation prompted concern.
TMZ’s account says Underwood contacted Rinna’s team after growing worried; party staff or handlers then escorted Rinna from the venue following a group photograph. Details about any medical evaluation, toxicology testing or formal police reports were not included in the TMZ piece and remain unconfirmed publicly.
Days later, at a book signing for her memoir, Rinna commented about a strained interaction with Underwood at The Traitors reunion and suggested she may have said something that upset him, which she linked to a period of social-media distancing between them. Those remarks were presented by TMZ as part of the developing narrative around their on-again, off-again association.
Analysis & Implications
Allegations of drugging at social events raise immediate safety and liability questions for venues, showrunners and talent handlers. Producers and networks that stage high-profile premieres must weigh guest safety protocols, including staff training to recognize signs of drug-facilitated impairment and procedures for prompt medical evaluation. The lack of confirmed medical or law-enforcement follow-up in this report underscores how many incidents may remain informal or managed privately.
For the individuals involved, the reputational impact varies depending on corroboration, medical findings and official actions. A single report attributed to unnamed sources does not establish culpability; conversely, a pattern of similar reports can trigger internal investigations, PR responses and potential legal steps. Public figures often face rapid narrative shifts that can affect endorsements, network relationships and public trust.
On a broader level, the story spotlights recurring concerns about substance safety at entertainment gatherings. Industry stakeholders increasingly adopt measures — guest chaperones, clearly marked nonalcoholic options, on-site medical personnel and rapid-transport protocols — to reduce risk. Whether this incident prompts further policy shifts will depend in part on whether additional evidence or official statements emerge.
Comparison & Data
| Date | Event | Publicly Confirmed Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| January 8, 2026 | The Traitors S4 premiere party — alleged impairment | None publicly confirmed (report attributes account to TMZ sources) |
| February 23, 2026 | TMZ publishes report on alleged incident | No formal statements from reps reported |
This table summarizes the publicly available timeline assembled from the TMZ report and subsequent media coverage. Without independent medical records or law-enforcement documentation, quantitative conclusions about cause or substance cannot be drawn. Industry observers say thorough documentation and timely reporting are critical to any subsequent review.
Reactions & Quotes
“Sources told TMZ that Underwood believed Rinna had not consumed enough alcohol to explain her condition.”
TMZ (entertainment outlet)
“At a recent book signing, Rinna suggested she may have said something at the reunion that upset Underwood, who later unfollowed her on social media.”
Lisa Rinna (public remarks at book signing, reported)
Unconfirmed
- Whether any forensic toxicology testing was performed on Lisa Rinna after the January 8 event remains unconfirmed.
- It is not publicly verified whether law enforcement was notified or filed a report related to this incident.
- The specific substance, if any, that may have caused Rinna’s impairment has not been identified publicly.
- No official statement from Lisa Rinna’s or Colton Underwood’s representatives confirming details of the departure from the party has been released.
Bottom Line
The TMZ report that Lisa Rinna believes she was drugged at The Traitors Season 4 premiere party centers on witness accounts and actions taken at the event — notably Colton Underwood’s reported concern and Rinna being escorted out. As of the reporting date, critical follow-up elements (medical tests, police reports or representative confirmations) have not been disclosed, leaving the account partial and unresolved.
Beyond this specific incident, the episode highlights persistent safety questions at entertainment gatherings and the need for timely documentation and transparent follow-up when impairment is observed. Readers should treat the current narrative as an initial, source-driven report and watch for corroboration from medical or law-enforcement records before drawing firm conclusions.
Sources
- TMZ — Entertainment outlet report (primary news account of the incident).
- Peacock (The Traitors) — Official broadcaster/show page (context on program and Season 4).
- RAINN — Nonprofit resource on drug-facilitated assault, medical response and survivor support (background guidance).