Traitors and Love Island USA star Rob Rausch is all about diving into new experiences — and reading smut for his female and queer fans recently made his to-do list.
“I did it for the girls and the gays,” Rausch, 27, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his partnership with KIND snacks. “It was quite the experience, but it was kind of fun. It was a challenge.”
While Rausch admitted that recording the three-episode story — in which he plays a tattooed snake wrangler named Alex — was a “hard thing to do,” it was also a total blast. The reality star added that when it came to the spicy dialogue, nothing was off limits, teasing that he “went all out” on the smut talk. (Quinn has already released teasers of the story featuring Rausch’s “good girl” and “you’re so beautiful” line readings).
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The NSFW audio feature, which dropped its first episode on Tuesday, March 3, follows Rausch’s Alex as he finds himself having a random meet-cute with a stranded woman named Paige (also the role of the listener) after a storm, marking a “strangers to lovers” scenario. It all leads to Paige staying the night at Alex’s home, where things start to get steamy.
Rausch is just the latest in a string of heartthrobs who have recorded for the platform, which focuses on female-pleasure storytelling. Rausch confessed that supporting an app like Quinn, which is run by an all-women team, was also a huge drawing point.
“I think that is super important,” he told Us. “More than ever, honestly.”
Although Rausch is self-admittedly a man of few words, he clearly finds proactive ways to take a stand for the things he believes in. Earlier this week, he was spotted in NYC sporting an “ICE OUT” pin while promoting Traitors season 4 with costar Lisa Rinna.
“I mean, I just wouldn’t feel right not supporting my immigrant brothers and sisters,” Rausch told Us when asked about rocking the accessory. “You know, it’s one thing to enforce the law. It’s another thing to dehumanize people and split up our families, and it’s just not something that I can stand by in any way, shape or form.”
After a polarizing reality TV debut on Love Island USA in 2024, Rausch rolled up to the Traitors’ castle for season 4 earlier this year and immediately bewitched his costars and viewers alike with his sly smirk and lowkey demeanor — both of which helped him secure a solo win and $220,000 prize.
Amid all the praise and adoration, Rausch credits his “upbringing,” “friends” and “family” — particularly his grandfather — for keeping him “grounded” along the way. He also cites the fact that he tends to be his own “worst critic.”
“I don’t know. Like, I’m not that great!” he said. “Like, at the end of the day, I’m only a person. We’re all only people. Everyone is special in their own way. And to think that any one person is better than another is ridiculous in my mind. That’s just what I believe and how I think.”
Truthfully, while the world can’t seem to get enough of Rausch, he has made it clear he prefers to exist under the radar and live a “private” life. That’s also true of his relationship with his girlfriend, whom he intends to keep away from the public eye.
“I myself am an open book, but this [my relationship is] involving another person,” he explained. “It’s her life, and she’s private. I’m not going to speak on her, ever. That’s her prerogative. And I think it’s kind of disrespectful that people are trying to get the scoop and put that out there.”
While some people assume he’d want his love life exposed after doing a show like Love Island, Rausch argues that he’s also a “person too,” as his partner, and they deserve their privacy. “So I’d rather just keep it between us for now,” he said.
One thing he is willing to talk about is his partnership with KIND snacks. Rausch teamed up with the brand to launch the limited-edition RISE & KIND Breakfast Box, which features two bags of all-new KIND Protein MAX Granola and some of the now-famous Scottish smoked salmon that sparked Traitors Castle chaos.
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“The partnership just made sense,” Rausch told Us of his decision to work with KIND. “Protein is important for everyone, but me specifically, especially when traveling and whatnot.”
Rausch pointed out that it’s “so important to hit your protein intake for the day,” especially if exercise is on the agenda.
“Health is really important, and KIND bar and KIND granola [are] a great way to supplement that in your day,” he shared.
