The Traitors co-stars are sparking fresh romance speculation after CT Tamburello asked Phaedra Parks to be his Emmy Awards plus-one.
September 4, 2026: Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello are giving The Traitors fans something new to talk about. The reality stars, who developed a memorable friendship and plenty of chemistry during Season 2 of the Peacock series, are once again fueling dating speculation after a flirty exchange on Instagram.
The latest development started when CT publicly admitted that he was still looking for a plus-one for the upcoming Emmy Awards. Phaedra appeared to answer his call — and things quickly became more flirtatious.
After CT shared a post asking for someone to “throw a good word” in for him, Phaedra responded with a playful message. CT later shared a follow-up post announcing that she had said yes, prompting Phaedra to make their plans even clearer.
“It’s a date,” she commented.
CT Tamburello Shoots His Shot
The latest round of flirting began on August 9, when CT shared a photo of Phaedra from The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 reunion.
The Challenge veteran joked that he was still looking for a plus-one for the Emmys and asked his followers to help him out.
“A man can dream,” he added.
Phaedra didn’t exactly ignore the invitation.
“Baby I’m already yours,” she responded in the comments, according to Reality Tea and AOL.
CT reacted with a GIF of Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air character appearing to faint, seemingly surprised — or at least amused — by Phaedra’s response.
The exchange didn’t stop there.
Phaedra Says “It’s a Date”
A few days later, CT appeared to confirm that Phaedra had accepted his invitation.
He posted a video featuring Phaedra and captioned it, “She said yes,” while thanking everyone who had helped put in a good word for him.
Phaedra then took things one step further by commenting, “It’s a date.”
CT responded with a combination of heart-eyes, fire and kissing emojis.
The playful interaction immediately had fans wondering whether the former Traitors co-stars could be exploring something beyond friendship.
For now, however, neither reality star has publicly confirmed that they are officially dating.
Phaedra and CT Have History
Fans aren’t exactly surprised by the chemistry.
Phaedra and CT first became closely associated during Season 2 of The Traitors, which aired in 2024. Although they entered the game on opposite sides — Phaedra was a Traitor while CT was a Faithful — their relationship quickly became one of the season’s most talked-about dynamics.
CT affectionately referred to Phaedra as his “Castle Daddy” counterpart, while the two were frequently seen interacting and supporting each other during the competition.
Their connection was noticeable enough that viewers began wondering whether the friendship could turn romantic.
But at the time, CT insisted that there wasn’t an actual romance developing between them.
CT Previously Said Nothing Romantic Happened
After Season 2 ended, CT addressed the speculation surrounding his relationship with Phaedra.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he acknowledged that they had fun together but said nothing real had happened romantically.
“No, nothing real happened, I’ll be honest with you,” CT said at the time, according to Us Weekly. He described Phaedra as a great person and said there was a sense of sincerity between them, while also noting that they were playing a game.
CT also explained that he didn’t want to force their relationship into something it wasn’t simply because fans enjoyed the pairing.
At the time, that appeared to put the romance rumors to rest.
Fast-forward to 2026, however, and the two are once again publicly flirting.
Phaedra Has Always Spoken Highly of CT
Phaedra has also been complimentary about CT since their time together on The Traitors.
In a 2024 interview with Extra, she described him as “salt of the earth,” a “great guy” and a “gentleman,” while saying she would love to work with him again.
Their friendship has continued despite the end of the show, and their recent Instagram exchanges suggest they remain comfortable enough with one another to joke publicly about going on a date.
The difference now is that their playful banter is happening outside the castle and without the pressure of a reality competition surrounding them.
Are Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello Dating?
That’s the question fans are asking.
At this point, the answer is not officially confirmed.
Phaedra saying “It’s a date” certainly suggests that she accepted CT’s invitation to attend the Emmys together, but an Emmy date does not necessarily mean the pair are in a romantic relationship.
Their comments could simply reflect the playful dynamic they’ve maintained since The Traitors.
That said, Phaedra has also referred to CT as “my man” and “claimed” in previous social media interactions, adding fuel to the ongoing speculation.
For fans who have been rooting for the unlikely reality-TV duo since their days on The Traitors, though, the latest exchange is certainly encouraging.
From “Castle Daddy” to Emmy Date?
There’s something particularly entertaining about the possibility of Phaedra and CT going from a fan-favorite Traitors friendship to potentially attending one of Hollywood’s biggest award shows together.
Their original dynamic worked because their personalities were so different.
Phaedra brought her signature confidence, wit and Southern charm to the castle, while CT was known for his competitive instincts and more understated personality.
The two nevertheless found common ground — and their chemistry became one of Season 2’s unexpected highlights.
Now, their upcoming Emmy appearance could provide another opportunity for fans to see how their relationship has evolved.
Whether it’s simply two friends having fun together or the beginning of something more remains to be seen.
The Emmy Awards Could Be Their Next Big Moment
With Phaedra accepting CT’s invitation, all eyes will likely be on the pair when the Emmy Awards arrive.
For now, their social media exchange is the latest chapter in a relationship that has repeatedly left Traitors fans wondering whether there could be more beneath the surface.
One thing is clear: CT shot his shot, and Phaedra didn’t exactly turn him down.
“It’s a date” certainly leaves the door open.
FAQs
Are Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello dating?
Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello have sparked fresh dating speculation, but neither has officially confirmed that they are in a romantic relationship. Their recent exchange confirms that Phaedra accepted CT’s invitation to attend the Emmys with him.
What did Phaedra Parks say to CT Tamburello?
After CT appeared to announce that Phaedra had accepted his invitation, she commented, “It’s a date.”
Why are Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello linked?
The two became close while competing on Season 2 of The Traitors, where fans noticed their chemistry and began speculating about a possible romance.
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Published by HOLR Magazine