Cat Burns is an excellent traitor. With a calm, observant presence, she contributes thoughtfully to group discussions and stays composed under pressure. Her ability to read situations carefully and stay under the radar gives her an edge — and as she herself shared in the first episode of The Celebrity Traitors, her neurodivergence offers a unique perspective that she feels will serve her well in the game.
Cat, who was selected by Claudia as one of the first three traitors in the game, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021 and autism in 2023. “I always felt inherently different from everybody else and I just didn’t have a name for it or know what it could have been. As I got older, I really identified with the symptoms,” she explained to the BBC.
At the roundtable last night, Cat spoke up again about how her neurodivergence affects her game. During many avenues of speculation, Stephen Fry said “The Traitors don't get as much sleep as we do”. He then turned to Cat, commenting on her need for more sleep. “Cat, you were sleeping in the window seat, you're not getting enough sleep. It's an indication we haven't thought of, because it's obviously true.”
Of course, Stephen's suspicions weren't completely off, with Cat being a traitor and all. But her response was still an excellent revelation as to how much neurodivergence can affect how you appear to others.
“Just to explain,” Cat responded. “I do have autism and ADHD, so when I'm around people a lot it takes a lot more effort to really speak. Sometimes I need time away.” Stephen went on to say he was not accusing her.
When it comes to Celebrity Traitors, Cat Burns has turned quiet observation into a serious advantage. Her understanding of how her neurodivergent brain processes social dynamics has helped her stay composed, thoughtful, and a step ahead. While others might act on impulse or emotion, Cat remains steady — you won’t catch her revealing too much or cracking under pressure. Whether she’s winning over the faithfuls or earning the trust of fellow traitors, Cat’s playing a smart, subtle game — and if someone like Jonathan ends up blindsided, it’ll be because she out-thought him, not out-manipulated him.
As Cat explains on the show, she is used to taking a backseat in social situations and observing. She also reflects that being AuDHD has helped her learn not to take things personally, which means she's able to enter into the role of traitor without getting flustered.
Why is Cat so good at playing all of these roles? Well, it's because she is always playing a role — she always has to do the extra work of thinking before she speaks, of masking so that others feel comfortable around her.
“Just like 50-70% of autistic people who also have ADHD, Cat Burns is likely to experience both intensified strengths and challenges as a result of living with AuDHD,” says Leanne Maskell, an AuDHD Coach, Author, Trainer & Founder of ADHD Works. “Having this dual diagnosis has enabled Cat to ‘name it to tame it’ – to understand how her AuDHD traits interlink, and how the 'creative adjustments' she's had to develop help her survive a neurotypical world.”
According to Maskell, AuDHD gives Cat a “unique competitive advantage.” “Especially within a 'survival' environment, which our 'hunter' brains are well adapted for,” she says. “Understanding, reframing, and harnessing her strengths – like the ability to mask strategically, observe patterns, hyper-focus and process emotions differently — Cat shows that she can thrive because of her AuDHD — not in spite of it.”
“With autistic people we're masking all the time,” Cat said to MTV UK. “As soon as you leave your house, you're masking again.”
Added to her neurodivergence, there's the fact that she is also a Black woman. As Maskell notes, “These traits are also shaped by her intersectional experiences as a Black, queer woman, already navigating multiple layers of systemic discrimination.”
“Being a woman, being a Black woman, there's so many expectations put on you so I'm very conscious,” she told explaining that she is careful to be “over-friendly" so that people “don't think I'm rude.” She's always ”conscious of making sure I'm smiling and not making other people feel uncomfortable."
As a Black AuDHD woman, Cat has developed a deep awareness of how she’s perceived by others, often navigating the world through masking and careful self-regulation. That lived experience, while challenging, seems to have uniquely prepared her for the strategic environment of Celebrity Traitors. Her ability to stay composed, read social cues, and adapt in the moment makes her a quiet force to be reckoned with - and we're completely hooked.
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