Madeline Kostopulos: Age, Career, The Traitors: New Blood Status & Elimination
Madeline Kostopulos entered The Traitors: New Blood as a 26-year-old construction manager from San Diego, California. She brought a business and operations background into the castle, along with a social approach built around humor, authenticity and the idea of playing as a Faithful.
Her time in the game was brief. Madeline became the first player banished at a Round Table, leaving in Episode 2 after a misunderstanding over comments about the murder of Kim Daily and additional suspicion surrounding her Shield. She was a Faithful and received 13 votes. TV Insider records Victor with seven votes and Kriste with one.
Exit: Episode 2, first Round Table
Vote: 13 votes against Madeline
Season status: Her game is complete and this profile is now a historical record of her run.
Latest Episode Update: Madeline Is the First Player Banished
Madeline's elimination came immediately after the first murder of the season. She had been close with Kim Daily and, during a conversation with Kriste Lewis and Victor Vollbrechthausen, said she would feel bad about picking Kim. Kriste interpreted the wording differently and brought it to the Round Table as evidence that Madeline might have known more about the murder than she should have.
Madeline later told Parade that Kriste had misunderstood what she said. She explained that she meant she would feel terrible about losing Kim, not that she had personally selected Kim for a murder. She also said she had no warning that the accusation was coming before the Round Table. Parade's exit interview provides her account.
The Shield became a second source of suspicion. Madeline said she took it late in the opening mission because it was still available with roughly eight minutes left. She felt the criticism surrounding that decision added pressure to the case against her.
Madeline Kostopulos Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madeline Kostopulos |
| Age | 26 |
| Hometown | San Diego, California |
| Occupation | Construction manager / business operations professional |
| Education | University of South Carolina, attended 2018–2022 |
| The Traitors Role | Faithful |
| Outcome | First player banished at a Round Table |
| Exit Episode | Episode 2 |
| Round Table Votes | 13 votes |
| Self-Declared Superlative | Most Likely to Make Too Many Jokes |
| @madelinekostopulos |
Who Is Madeline Kostopulos?
Madeline Kostopulos is a San Diego-based construction professional whose background combines business analysis, operations and construction-related management. Her LinkedIn profile identifies her with PBH Builders in San Diego and lists the University of South Carolina among her education. Public professional information also shows earlier work in business analysis, scheduling, business operations and internships.
Madeline's Construction and Business Career
Madeline's professional profile shows a progression through several business and operations roles before her current construction work. LinkedIn lists PBH Builders in San Diego, while public professional listings identify earlier positions with Govfuse, Central SC Alliance, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and TPG Hotels and Resorts.
That career path gives context to the official description of her as a construction manager. She arrived with experience around projects, schedules, operations and people, but her game quickly became more social than professional.
Education
Madeline attended the University of South Carolina from 2018 to 2022, according to her public LinkedIn profile. The older version of this profile described a degree in Insurance and Risk Management; because secondary listings differ on the exact credential title, this update keeps the verified university and attendance period without overstating the degree.
Why Madeline Wanted to Be a Faithful
Madeline entered the game wanting the Faithful role. TV Insider's preseason cast guide listed her as someone who wanted to sniff out the Traitors and described herself as a team player interested in the social game. She also said she planned to bring sage, a journal and an evil eye for comfort in the castle.
Her pre-game approach was deliberately social. A cast guide quoted her plan as keeping people distracted by her outfit rather than focused on where she had just been. Her official self-declared superlative was Most Likely to Make Too Many Jokes.
Madeline's Actual Strategy in the Game
Once the season began, Madeline's game quickly became centered on relationships. She developed a close connection with Victor Vollbrechthausen, and both later described the attraction as mutual. TheWrap also noted the pair's early showmance before Madeline's elimination.
After her exit, Madeline said she had already been watching Tomica Adams closely. She told Parade that Tomica's upbeat behavior after the Round Table made her suspicious, and she said both she and Victor had Tomica on their radar.
The Shield Decision That Added to the Suspicion
In the opening mission, Madeline was one of the three players who obtained a Shield, along with Victor and Abby Lee. The Shield provided safety going into the first murder.
In her post-elimination interview, Madeline said she took the Shield late because it was still available with about eight minutes remaining. She believed waiting until that point made the choice reasonable, but said the group later used the decision as another reason to question her.
Why Madeline Was Banished
The central accusation came from a conversation about Kim Daily's murder. The episode recap says Madeline was blamed for saying, “I feel bad for picking Kim,” while her close relationship with Victor also drew attention. At the Round Table, those details became central to the case against her.
Madeline disputed the interpretation after leaving the game. She said her comment meant she felt terrible about losing Kim and that Kriste had misunderstood her wording. She said she initially tried to explain that Kriste probably misheard her before eventually refusing to admit to something she said she did not say.
Madeline Kostopulos and Victor Vollbrechthausen
Madeline and Victor formed one of the clearest early social connections of the season. Both were shown spending substantial time together, and Victor described his attraction to Madeline in his confessionals.
Madeline later confirmed that the chemistry was mutual. She described them as good friends and chose not to give a detailed account of their relationship after the show.
Madeline Kostopulos' Game Profile
Social approach: She wanted to keep the atmosphere light, build relationships and play authentically rather than invent a character.
Faithful mindset: She entered specifically hoping to identify Traitors and work with the group.
Early suspicion: Before her elimination, she said Tomica Adams was one of the Traitors she suspected.
Factors surrounding her exit: Her comment about Kim, the Shield decision and her close relationship with Victor all became part of the first Round Table discussion.
Episode-by-Episode Timeline
Episode 1 — Enters the Castle
Madeline entered as a Faithful. She participated in the opening mission and secured one of the available Shields, gaining protection going into the first murder.
Episode 2 — First Round Table
After Kim Daily was murdered, Madeline's comments about Kim became part of the case against her. Her Shield decision and relationship with Victor were also discussed. She was banished as a Faithful with 13 votes.
After Elimination — Exit Interview
Madeline explained that Kriste had misunderstood her comment, discussed the pressure surrounding the Shield and said Tomica was already one of her Traitor suspicions. She also confirmed that her connection with Victor was mutual.
Madeline Kostopulos on Instagram
Related Traitors: New Blood Profiles
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Madeline Kostopulos a Traitor or Faithful?
Madeline Kostopulos was a Faithful.
When was Madeline Kostopulos eliminated?
She was banished at the first Round Table in Episode 2.
How many votes did Madeline receive?
Madeline received 13 votes. Victor received seven and Kriste received one.
Why was Madeline banished?
The main accusation centered on how her comment about Kim Daily's murder was interpreted. The Shield she took in the opening mission and her relationship with Victor also became part of the discussion.
Who was Madeline close to in the castle?
Madeline formed a close connection with Victor Vollbrechthausen, and both later described their attraction as mutual.
What did Madeline do for work before The Traitors?
She worked in construction management and had previous business analysis, operations and scheduling experience.
Sources
NBCUniversal: Official cast information and the civilian format: NBCUniversal.
TV Insider: Episode recap with the Shield results, Episode 2 banishment and vote totals: TV Insider.
Parade: Madeline's post-elimination interview about the accusation, Shield decision, Victor connection and Tomica suspicion: Parade.
Entertainment Weekly: Premiere reporting on the new accomplice twist and Madeline's first Round Table banishment: Entertainment Weekly.
LinkedIn: Madeline Kostopulos' public professional profile: LinkedIn.