Sufi Motiwala, the 21-year-old fashion commentator and social media influencer known for his unfiltered opinions, is currently making waves as a contestant on Karan Johar's reality show The Traitors. In a recent interview, Motiwala revealed his bold approach to securing his spot on the show, stating that he told Karan Johar, "I'm the B*** of this season, make me the traitor".
The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar, premiered on June 12 and features 20 celebrity contestants. The contestants are divided into "traitors" and "innocents," and must work together to eliminate the traitors. Motiwala's participation has already sparked drama and garnered attention, staying true to his initial pitch to Johar.
Motiwala's journey to The Traitors began with his rise as a fashion critic on Instagram, where he gained popularity for his humorous, honest, and sometimes caustic commentary on celebrity fashion. His videos caught the attention of many, eventually leading him to join Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA), Karan Johar's talent management agency, in 2024.
Before The Traitors, Motiwala had already stirred up controversies with his fashion critiques. He is known for voicing his opinions on various prominent names in the industry. In one instance, he faced backlash after sending a "vulgar" DM to Urfi Javed, criticizing her fashion choices. Javed responded publicly, stating, "Tumhari koi aukat hai nahi fashion mein, tumne kisi ka kuch ukhada nahi hai. But aap personally mujhe gali nahi de sakthe ho". Motiwala later claimed that the message was not sent by him, but Javed dismissed his denial. Despite the controversy, Motiwala stated that the show makers of The Traitors brought both of them on the show so that they fight and create content. He also shared that they don't talk to each other and their personalities don't gel well.
On The Traitors, Motiwala has been involved in several noteworthy moments. He clashed with rapper Raftaar during a group task, leading to heated exchanges in the "Circle of Shaq". Motiwala also shared his views on fellow contestants. He felt that Karan Kundrra's eviction was mishandled due to technical glitches. He described Apoorva Mukhija as "feisty," Sudhanshu Pandey as "old school," Anshula Kapoor as "loud," and Harsh Gujral as "crass". He also said Janvee Gaur was the confusion of the house and Nikita Luther’s impact in the game was irrelevant. Motiwala and Mukhija had a rocky start, but eventually mended their relationship and became close.
Motiwala has also hinted at shocking eliminations in upcoming episodes, particularly episodes 5, 6, and 8. He even revealed that one contestant gets a funeral in one of those episodes. He said that the show is different from Big Brother or Bigg Boss.
Despite his on-screen persona, Motiwala has also shown vulnerability. He has spoken about being outed by his therapist, his struggles with mental health, and the challenges of balancing his identity as a queer Muslim.
Motiwala's journey from fashion critic to reality TV contestant reflects his ambition and willingness to embrace controversy. His statement about wanting to be the "B***" of the season demonstrates his understanding of reality television dynamics and his determination to make a lasting impression. It remains to be seen how his "traitor" strategy will play out, but one thing is certain: Sufi Motiwala is a force to be reckoned with on The Traitors.
