Dylan Efron Is Still Cool With Being Known As Zac’s Brother

by

Upon the unveiling of the cast for season three of “The Traitors”, enthusiasts of reality TV showed great excitement at the possibility of witnessing competitors such as Carolyn Wiger from “Survivor” and Danielle Reyes from “Big Brother” clash with Dorinda Medley and Tom Sandoval, popular figures from Bravo. However, some names on the roster were less recognizable – among them Dylan Efron, a producer and social media figure who is most recognized for being Zac Efron’s younger sibling.

Turns out, having low expectations worked wonders for me in the cast of “Traitors.” Being a die-hard fan of “Survivor,” I seamlessly fit into the show and leveraged my charisma and strategic thinking to forge powerful connections within the castle, even managing to divert criticism towards my brother’s acting prowess. My unexpected alliances with the Traitors proved beneficial, as they kept me in the game long enough for me to recognize them. By the finale, I outsmarted, outmaneuvered, and outlasted some of the most experienced players, securing my place among the Faithful alongside Gabby Windey, Dolores Catania, and Lord Ivar Mountbatten. In a nail-biting moment, I almost fell victim to a last-minute attack by fellow player and “Big Brother” alum Britney Haynes, but my knack for earning trust saved me and propelled me all the way to the end.

In my opinion, conquering The Traitors was undeniably the greater challenge for me.

Were you anxious when the truth was revealed? I must admit, I was concerned about both Gabby and Dolores potentially voting to continue the game. We had our strategies in place, ready for any unexpected moves that might stir up some drama. However, I could count on Ivar’s trust in me, and I trusted them all. But we were cautious and prepared for any eventuality.

If the fire had turned red, my response would have been something like this: “To be honest, I can’t recall exactly what I would have done in that situation. However, my trust was primarily with Gabby. Despite giving off the impression that I still didn’t fully trust her, if it came down to a choice between the two of us, I would have tried to end up alongside Gabby.

In the earlier roundtable discussion, it took me by surprise when Britney seemed to attack me so fiercely. It appeared as if her comments left some deep marks on me. Was that reaction merely a result of being taken aback? Well, I was indeed caught off guard, and there were several points during our conversation which didn’t make it into the final cut. For instance, the frequent use of strong language about my kids that got edited out. Upon rewatching it, I felt like my response might have been disproportionate to the situation, considering that the argument was longer than what was shown on screen and I wasn’t expecting it. Therefore, yes, we had a heated exchange, but I hold no grudges against her because everything she said was accurate—it’s part of her role as a Traitor. At that moment in time, I was more surprised by the timing of her actions rather than the fact that she was being a Traitor, since I wasn’t entirely sure about her intentions at that point.

As a fan, if I had been the Seer, I probably wouldn’t have picked Britney due to her apparent desire for the role, which hinted at excessive gambling and potential risk. Instead, I would have chosen Ivar, given his seeming loyalty and the fact that having him on my team would have been beneficial in maintaining trust. The title of Seer was something I was more interested in keeping out of my own hands, as I didn’t want to take the chance of choosing a Traitor. The fear of ruining my game if I made such a choice was too great.

Were there any other unexpected omissions from the show that stood out to you?
One thing I found surprising, and I must admit it made me feel a bit embarrassed, was my confrontation with Gabby. It’s understandable why it wasn’t included as it didn’t contribute positively to either of our narratives. However, at the time, due to all my closest allies being Traitors, I had strong suspicions about Gabby’s loyalty. Although they didn’t correct me or help me, my accusations against her kept us both in the game. In hindsight, if I hadn’t accused her, who knows what might have happened? Perhaps she would have been eliminated instead, but because of my suspicion, we both survived.

One question about this TV show: When you become suspicious of someone or they suspect you, it can be tough to move past that suspicion. For instance, why did your opinion of Gabby as a traitor change?

My turning point came after the open murder in the game. Initially, I felt like I was just being played and would be voted out soon. However, the open murder changed everything. The two theories that made the most sense were: either Gabby would kill me publicly since I’d been mentioning her name frequently, or Tom might get killed for dramatic TV effect. Neither of those scenarios occurred. So, I wondered, “Why am I still here?” It couldn’t be Gabby, as she would have surely eliminated me by now. Then, why is Tom still around? The answer became clear: Carolyn and Danielle were shielding us both from elimination. Lastly, the chess match strengthened the theory that Carolyn was a traitor, while Danielle remained loyal.

In another wording: At the point when you picked Danielle over Carolyn, it became clear to me that they were both Traitors. However, I had a suspicion that either of them might try to recruit me or Britney. If offered the chance to become a Traitor myself, I was hoping Danielle would choose Britney instead. Honestly, I would have accepted, but I hadn’t fully considered the consequences at that time. I understood why Danielle didn’t pick me because, on one hand, I might have been too nervous or made mistakes, and on the other, I had a good understanding of everyone’s actions, so I knew who already suspected Danielle. In this case, I could have used my knowledge to eliminate Danielle quickly and take everything for myself. In hindsight, perhaps Danielle made the right decision by not choosing me, but perhaps she made the wrong move in recruiting Britney.

There’s been much discussion about whether it’s more advantageous to win as a Traitor or a Faithful in this game. While you did triumph as a Faithful, I wonder if your journey could have been smoother as a Traitor, or was sticking to this path the best choice for you? Given that research shows Traitors tend to have an edge in this game, provided one doesn’t reveal their hand, it’s possible I might have faltered under the pressure, especially since it was my first reality show appearance.

It appears that you mostly relied on a blend of strategies during the game. Upon discovering a Traitor, it helped clear my reputation. Given the risk I faced due to potential nighttime murders, everyone became convinced that I was loyal after the Bob the Drag Queen vote. From then on, I aimed to forge as many genuine relationships as possible. If I had one advantage over others going into this game, it would be my knack for making friends. This comes from my profession in social media, where I’ve been able to form friendships quickly across the globe. Traveling with strangers and making best friends by the end of a trip is something I’m accustomed to, so it became a valuable skill set during this game. Although it might seem unusual, I believe this trait served me well in the end.

Have you found that participating in The Traitors has helped you move beyond being known as Zac Efron’s brother, or is this not something that concerns you?

Does starring on The Traitors help you avoid the label of being Zac Efron’s brother, or is that not an issue for you?

I found Bob the Drag Queen’s comment about Zac’s acting quite disrespectful personally. I was pondering if you could recommend a movie that might help him appreciate Zac’s talent better. Perhaps Iron Claw would be an enlightening choice, as if he fails to recognize Zac’s acting skills in this film, it suggests there may be an issue with his own judgment.

At the conclusion of the reunion, it appeared that you parted ways amicably with everyone. Has watching the show again influenced your feelings towards anyone, or was it truly a case of no hard feelings?

No hard feelings whatsoever. When they stand up and are labeled as a Traitor — Britney didn’t have that opportunity — it’s all about respect because it isn’t easy. Being faithful must have been tough, I can only imagine how challenging it was to be a Traitor. Danielle faced a lot of criticism for her acting skills, but she made it far in the game and formed genuine connections. I couldn’t hold a grudge against her for trying to manipulate me. That’s just part of the game.

Have you considered attempting more social-strategy reality games now that you’ve accomplished this one? The child within me is ecstatic! This has been my dream ever since I watched Survivor at the age of 12, to win a show like this. I’m always the person who watches these shows and wonders, “I wonder how I would do on this,” or thinks, “I could win.” And now, I have actually done it! I’m definitely open to more experiences and living life to its fullest. Experiences are my priority over money and fame. Whatever comes next, whether it’s joining Special Forces or pursuing a career in acting, I want to continue having new experiences and giving it my all.

In simpler terms, when you referred to The Traitors as a “crash course in becoming a better person,” you meant that the intense experience helped you realize your flaws and biases, such as judging others without fully considering their perspectives. This self-reflection allowed you to acknowledge areas where you could improve, learn to listen more, and work collaboratively with others. If you had continued to hold onto your initial negative judgment of Gabby, you would have missed an opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement.

Read More

2025-03-08 03:59